Program Officer - Biomedical and Health Sciences Program

nas; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine seeks a Program Officer to support a portfolio of activities focused on health care system resilience and public health preparedness. The role involves coordinating rapid expert consultations, synthesizing evidence, and developing timely written products to inform policy and operational decisions.

The position emphasizes strong project management, research, analytical, and communication skills, with collaboration across federal

Qualifications

• Strong project management, research, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary experts and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of assigned projects within the Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats.
• Develop project work plans, timelines, budgets, deliverables, and internal review processes in line with National Academies policies.
• Coordinate multiple concurrent projects, working with leadership, committee members, authors, consultants, and staff.
• Identify project risks and help resolve issues affecting schedules, resources, or deliverables.
• Provide day-to-day direction and coordination for project staff.

Skills

Project management

Research

Analytical skills

Communication

Job description

Job Description Summary:

ABOUT THE CENTER

The Center for Health, People, and Places advances scientific understanding and translates research into applications that support human well-being, their social and economic systems, and the environment that sustains all life on the planet.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Biomedical and Health Sciences Program addresses issues spanning basic biomedical, translational, clinical, and health sciences research, development, and policy. The program also examines workforce issues, bioethics, legal and societal considerations, and the resilience and health security of communities.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine seeks a Program Officer to support a portfolio of activities focused on health care system resilience, public health preparedness, and emerging scientific and policy challenges related to the nation's health security. The Program Officer will be responsible for managing and implementing projects that bring together multidisciplinary experts to examine complex scientific, technical, and policy issues and provide timely, evidence-based information to decision-makers.

The position will initially focus on a set of projects funded for a 12-month period examining crisis standards of care and health care system preparedness and response, including the indicators and triggers used to recognize increasing health care system strain and resource scarcity; the functions, governance, and sustainability of medical operations coordination centers; and the operational challenges associated with implementing crisis standards of care during high-consequence infectious disease events. These activities will involve coordinating rapid expert consultations, synthesizing existing scientific and technical evidence, engaging multidisciplinary experts, and supporting the development of timely written products to inform policy and operational decision-making.

The position requires strong project management, research, analytical, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with experts, federal agencies, and other stakeholders. The Program Officer will manage multiple concurrent activities, coordinate the development of written products, and contribute to the identification and development of new projects and opportunities across the portfolio. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic environment, balancing competing priorities, and supporting projects on both traditional and accelerated timelines

Job Description

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management and Implementation

• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of assigned projects under Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats, including rapid expert consultations, expert meetings, and other scientific and technical activities.
• Develop and manage project work plans, timelines, budgets, deliverables, and internal review processes, ensuring activities are completed in accordance with National Academies policies and procedures.
• Coordinate multiple concurrent projects, working closely with project leadership, committee members, authors, consultants, and National Academies staff.
• Develop project prospectuses, scopes of work, meeting agendas, background materials, and other documents necessary to initiate and execute activities.
• Identify project risks, anticipate operational needs, and help resolve issues affecting schedules, resources, or deliverables.
• Provide day-to-day direction and coordination for project staff, including delegation of research, administrative, and logistical responsibilities.

Scientific Research, Evidence Synthesis, and Written Products

• Conduct and oversee targeted research, literature reviews, and evidence synthesis on topics related to emerging infectious diseases, public health emergencies, crisis standards of care, health care delivery, and preparedness.
• Identify relevant scientific literature, technical guidance, federal policies, and prior National Academies publications to inform project activities.
• Support the development of rapid expert consultations and other written products, including preparing background materials, coordinating author contributions, reviewing drafts, and managing internal and external review processes.
• Analyze complex scientific, technical, and policy issues and identify relevant evidence, operational considerations, knowledge gaps, and areas requiring additional expert input.
• Work with multidisciplinary experts to ensure that project activities draw on appropriate scientific, clinical, public health, operational, and policy perspectives.
• Support the dissemination of project findings through briefings, presentations, webinars and others.

Standing Committee and Expert Engagement

• Support the management and ongoing activities of the standing committee, including planning committee meetings, developi