Associate Program Officer - Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture Program

Job Description Summary:

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture program area convenes experts and leaders in food science, food safety, and food quality; nutrition and health; agricultural sciences and natural resources management to provide independent and cross-sector guidance to address a range of challenges in the food and agricultural system.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The Associate Program Officer will perform a variety of programmatic, project management, and research tasks to support the review of the food packages of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The WIC food packages, previously reviewed by the National Academies in 2017 and 2006, are nutritious supplemental foods provided to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants, and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk. The review of the food packages involves assessing the nutritional needs of the WIC-eligible population and making evidence-based, practical, and economical recommendations for changes in the current set of foods in the packages that reflect current nutritional science and allow the program to effectively meet the nutritional and cultural needs of the WIC population.

The Associate Program Officer coordinates project activities across planning, implementation, follow-up, and dissemination to help ensure objectives, schedules, and deliverables are met. Conducts and synthesizes research, supports meetings and other convening activities, and works with staff, experts, sponsors, and other stakeholders to advance assigned project activities. May assist senior staff with program and project development, including researching new opportunities, developing prospectuses and proposals, and supporting fundraising activities.

Job Description:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Under the general supervision of the Study Director, manages assigned components of studies and projects to support achievement of project objectives, schedules, and deliverables. Coordinates project activities and inquiries and manages the planning and execution of hybrid meetings, workshops, and other convening activities, including agendas, presenter and participant engagement, meeting logistics, multimedia presentations, and written summaries. Collaborates with experts and sponsors from government agencies, foundations, academic institutions, and other organizations. May perform financial and administrative activities related to assigned projects and represents the program or project within and outside the National Academies.

COMMITTEE MANAGEMENT

Where applicable and with senior staff oversight, supports committee or panel formation and operation by identifying potential nominees and coordinating with committee chairs, members, consultants, sponsors, and staff. Facilitates timely information sharing among participants and prepares materials and reports that support committee and project activities.

 

RESEARCH AND WRITING

Conducts and synthesizes background research to support assigned studies, projects, and committee deliberations. Identifies and evaluates relevant research materials and technical data, assesses their relevance to project objectives, and prepares background papers, technical summaries, and other written materials. Coordinates reference checking and publication activities and may edit reports, support the response-to-review process, and participate in dissemination activities, including engagement with external organizations and preparation of dissemination materials.

 

STAFF MANAGEMENT

May provide day-to-day direction, guidance, and feedback to assigned staff and assist with mentoring and staff development. Serves as a resource to staff on assigned project activities and supports effective coordination of team responsibilities.

 

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Supports development of new and continuing programs and projects under senior staff guidance. Conducts research on emerging topics and funding opportunities, contributes to prospectuses and proposals, identifies potential sponsors, and supports fundraising activities for current and future work. Where applicable, participates in maintaining relationships with funders, members, alumni, and other external partners.

 

Related duties and special projects may be assigned as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of scientific, technical, policy, or other issues relevant to the applicable discipline.
• Strong project coordination and organizational skills, including the ability to manage assigned activities, schedules, stakeholders, and deliverables.
• Ability to conduct research, evaluate and synthesize information from multiple sources, and communicate findings clearly in written and verbal form.
• Ability to identify and resolve varied project issues, exercise sound judgment, and work with appropriate independence within established project objectives, institutional policies, and senior staff guidance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing project needs, and maintain attention to quality, accuracy, and deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, experts, sponsors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to build productive working relationships and contribute effectively in collaborative and multidisciplinary environments.
• Ability to provide clear direction, guidance, and feedback to staff when assigned staff-coordination or mentoring responsibilities.

 

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge required. Master's degree in related field preferred.

EXPERIENCE

Three years of related professional experience required.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $73,760 - $92,190. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.  This is a benefits-eligible position.  Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Hybrid office/telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

  

EQUAL OPPORTUNTY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

 

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units

Job Family:

PROG

Employee Type:

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

City/State:

Washington, District of Columbia