Senior Program Officer - Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture Program

National Academies; Washington; Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

National Academies is seeking a Senior Program Officer for the Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture program to manage complex scientific and policy projects, including serving as Study Director for the WIC package review.

The role requires advanced knowledge of human nutrition and prior experience with WIC or similar programs, plus strong leadership, coordination, and communication skills across sponsors, staff, and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of human nutrition and related policy issues.
• Experience with WIC or similar food assistance programs.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Directs consensus study process from planning to report publication.
• Oversees committee recruitment and engagement of experts.
• Leads meetings, workshops, and information gathering activities.
• Provides scientific leadership for research and analysis supporting the study.
• Supports report development, review, and dissemination.
• Manages communications and external engagements for project visibility.
• Supervises project staff and manages budgets and timelines.

Skills

Human nutrition

Policy literature reviews

Project leadership

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

Introduction

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

Overview

Requisition Number: R0002784
THE PROGRAM

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.

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.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Program Officer for the Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture program area manages highly complex scientific and policy projects that contribute to the National Academies’ mission. This position will serve as Study Director for the review of the food packages of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, 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 package 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.

Working within an established project strategy, budget, timeline, and statement of task, the Senior Program Officer is accountable for the successful execution of the study and achievement of its stated objectives. The Study Director guides the study committee through the National Academies’ process; leads the staff team; coordinates scientific, technical, operational, and financial aspects of the project; and serves as a liaison among the committee, sponsors, National Academies staff, and other relevant parties.

The position requires advanced knowledge of human nutrition science and previous experience with the WIC program or other food assistance program, and demonstrated skill in developing evidence-based literature and data reviews and in large project management. The Senior Program Officer applies independent judgment to complex scientific, programmatic, and operational issues within institutional policies and procedures and develops practical solutions that support the successful completion of the study. The position has full supervisory responsibility for assigned project staff, including performance management and staff development, and reports directly to the Senior Program Director for Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture.

**COVER LETTER REQUIRED.**

Responsibilities

Consensus Study Leadership
Directs the consensus study process from committee formation through report completion and dissemination, ensuring the project fulfills its statement of task, schedule, budget, and institutional requirements. Guides the committee through planning, information gathering, deliberation, consensus building, report development, external review, revision, and final publication while maintaining close coordination with the committee chair, members, and staff team.

Committee Formation and Expert Engagement
Oversees identification and recruitment of potential committee or panel members and preparation of appointment materials in accordance with institutional policies and procedures. Identifies appropriate subject-matter experts and other contributors to ensure the committee has access to the scientific and technical expertise needed to address the study’s charge.

Meetings, Workshops, and Information Gathering
Leads the planning and execution of committee meetings, information-gathering sessions, workshops, and related convening activities. Establishes objectives and agendas, identifies presenters and participants, coordinates information flow among committee members, consultants, staff, and other parties, and ensures meeting activities support the committee’s deliberations and project objectives. Oversees meeting logistics, presentation materials, and preparation of written summaries as appropriate.

Research, Analysis, and Written Products
Provides scientific and technical leadership for research and analytical activities supporting the study. Identifies and evaluates relevant research materials and, as appropriate, prepares or oversees preparation of background papers, technical summaries, reports, proceedings, white papers, and other written products. Synthesizes scientific evidence and technical data, assesses its relevance to the study, and drafts or edits materials for committee review and publication.

Report Development and Review
Supports the committee throughout development of the consensus report, including drafting sections based on committee direction and reviewing and editing content for clarity, consistency, accuracy, and adherence to institutional requirements. Manages the response-to-review process, coordinates resolution of reviewer comments and editorial issues, and oversees preparation of the final manuscript for publication while preserving the committee’s independence and ownership of its conclusions.

Communications and Public Engagement
Leads communications activities associated with assigned projects to ensure timely and accurate information is available to relevant audiences. Develops substantive materials for project websites and other communication channels, publicizes meetings and project milestones, and collaborates with communications staff on outreach and engagement activities. Independently plans and implements project communications when appropriate.

Dissemination and Impact
Develops and manages strategies to disseminate reports and other project products to relevant scientific, policy, professional, and public audiences. Coordinates report production and dissemination activities, prepares supporting materials and funding proposals as needed, and engages external organizations and stakeholders to extend the reach and usefulness of project findings.

Staff Leadership and Supervision
Supervises and develops assigned project staff with minimal oversight, establishing priorities and expectations, assigning work, providing guidance and feedback, supporting professional development, and participating in performance management. Promotes effective teamwork and ensures consistent application of organizational policies and procedures.

Project and Financial Management
Maintains accountability for the financial and operational management of assigned projects, including budgets, schedules, staffing, and expenditures. Monitors project progress and resource use, identifies emerging risks or constraints, and works with financial and administrative staff to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.

Sponsor and External Relationships
Builds and maintains productive relationships with experts, sponsors, and stakeholders from federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, academic institutions, and other organizations. Represents the program and study committee within and outside the National Academies and communicates effectively with sponsors and other constituents regarding project activities and objectives.

Program Development
Contributes to the continued development of the Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture portfolio by maintaining relationships with major sponsors, identifying emerging scientific and policy needs, and developing opportunities for new or continuing work.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of human nutrition and related scientific, technical, or policy issues, including familiarity with Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program or food assistance programs, and skill in developing and applying evidence-based literature reviews.
• Strong program and project leadership skills, including the ability to independently manage complex, multidisciplinary projects involving scientific experts, sponsors, staff, budgets, schedules, and multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to evaluate, synthesize, and communicate complex scientific and technical information clearly and accurately to scientific, policy, professional, and public audiences.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills, including the ability to support productive deliberation among experts with differing perspectives while maintaining the independence and integrity of the National Academies’ consensus process.
• Ability to analyze complex scientific, programmatic, and operational issues, exercise sound independent judgment, and develop practical solutions within institutional policies and project requirements.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities, anticipate project risks, and adapt plans as circumstances change while maintaining attention to quality, deadlines, and resource constraints.
• Ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with committee members, sponsors, colleagues, external constituents, and staff across organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, and develop staff and to foster an effective, collaborative team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated proficiency in communicating scientific, technical, and policy information.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Master’s degree in a related field, or equivalent knowledge.
Minimum Experience: Six years of related professional experience, two of which were in a supervisory capacity. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies’ activities or equivalent outside activities. Demonstrated high level of proficiency in conveying scientific, technical, and/or policy information in verbal and written form.
Preferred Education: Ph.D. in related field preferred.

Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Typically reports to board/program/division director. General direction is provided. Independently supervises project/program staff.

Compensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $105,230 - $164,420. 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 here.

Work Environment:Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.