Program Officer, Hypertension Control

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a global public health organization with a mission to prevent 100 million deaths from heart disease and to make the world safer from epidemics. We are led by Dr Tom Frieden, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2017, Resolve to Save Lives has partnered with low- and middle-income country governments, multi-lateral agencies, academic and other civil society partners, and communities to build capacity for and support implementation of enabling policies and effective programs to treat and control hypertension, reduce sodium intake, eliminate artificial trans fat, and strengthen systems for epidemic prevention. To find out more about our work, visit: https://www.resolvetosavelives.org. 

We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences, whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable EEO laws. 

Position summary: 

Resolve to Save Lives is seeking a Program Officer, Hypertension Control to support our global efforts to improve cardiovascular health. 

The Program Officer will support the implementation of the Resolve to Save Lives cardiovascular health (CVH) initiative, with a focus on hypertension. Responsibilities will include review of scientific research; development of technical materials; project management; and support to and reporting on the initiative’s activities across project countries. In addition to communicating regularly with country implementing partners, the Program Officer will be the first point of contact with specific RTSL CVH partners and technically support the hypertension control program’s research portfolio. Hypertension control programming is being supported in India, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the PAHO Latin America & Caribbean region. The Program Officer position will be assigned to support technically and administratively across all hypertension country programs. This US-based full-time position is remote. The incumbent will be expected to convene periodically for in-person team meetings and to work during East Coast core working hours. The salary range for this role in the US is $70,000 to $78,000, depending on level of experience. 

Core duties and responsibilities:   

The Program Officer will work under the guidance of and report to the Director, Global Hypertension Control Program and support the work of the other Hypertension Control staff. The incumbent will perform duties such as but not limited to the following:   

• Synthesize scientific and technical information such as scientific journal articles, reports, or news summaries related to a range of issues concerning hypertension control programming 
• Develop and disseminate technical materials for use in country hypertension control program implementation and monitoring and evaluation
• Support the development and dissemination of program guidance documents, such as presentations, factsheets, technical and other communications materials regarding various topics concerning hypertension control
• Provide support to the Director and Senior/Technical Advisor, Global Hypertension Control on a range of research and analytical projects and other projects as needed
• Review and provide input on regular progress reports from in-country implementing partners and maintain relevant status trackers for project management purposes
• Work with the Director and Senior/Technical Advisor, Global Hypertension Control to provide technical support to Resolve to Save Lives’ partners and projects  
• Develop content, such as narrative and quantitative reports, academic articles, social media messages, case studies, etc. to highlight the work, progress, and lessons of Resolve to Save Lives hypertension control projects
• Track progress on short- and long-term team tasking and goals 
• Organize virtual and/or in-person regional hypertension community of practice meetings
• Process human subjects research protocols to the RTSL Research Committee and, if applicable, a third-party institutional review board
• Liaise with the RTSL legal team to set up contracts for hypertension related subgrants and services
• Additional tasks as required to support the overall nutrition program of the CVH initiative

Required experience, skills and qualifications:   

Education:  

• Master’s degree in public health or equivalent

Experience: 

• Five years’ work experience with at least three years related to public health program implementation or program support 
• Experience in or demonstrated understanding of health policy and regulatory issues concerning clinical / patient care

Skills & abilities: 

• Proven research and analytical skills; demonstrated experience in basic data management (e.g. in spreadsheet programs)
• Clear, effective and highly efficient writing skills 
• Project management experience, with exceptional organizational skills 
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver against tight deadlines 
• Well-developed interpersonal skills for harmonious internal teamwork and global partnerships across cultures 
• Flexible, collaborative work style yet capable of working independently 

Other: 

• Experience working in low- and middle-income settings or with underserved communities 
• Willingness to travel internationally
• Willingness to work remotely during US East Coast standard work hours and convene periodically for in-person team meetings

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience in or understanding of non-communicable diseases
• Proficiency in languages in addition to English
• Human subjects research ethics training
• Johns Hopkins course on managing hypertension control programs