Program Specialist

Overview

The Program Specialist implements output-driven public health projects in domestic settings. Implementation is done in collaboration with donors, subject matter experts, non-profit organizations and other internal and external partners. With discretion and professionalism, the Program Specialist is responsible for the coordinated management and support of projects directed toward the CDC Foundation’s strategic and business objectives.  

The Program Specialist will work closely with a CDC Foundation team to provide operational and programmatic support of projects focused on tobacco control in the United States. Program Specialist support for project activities may include budget management, workplan oversight, contracting and subaward management, donor reporting, meeting planning and coordination.

Responsibilities 

1. Executes, monitors and closes projects that span internal departments, organizations, geographic regions and cultures for the designated division. 
2. Fosters and maintains working relationships with subject matter experts, donors, field employees, community-serving organizations and partners aimed at efficient and effective project implementation. 
3. Prepares and monitors project-related contracts and agreements.  
4. Manages filing and tracking systems with meticulous organization. 
5. Processes, reviews, submits, and tracks payment requests, including invoices from sub-recipients, consultants, contractors, and vendors. 
6. Prepares and monitors procurement requests for supplies and equipment. 
7. Tracks progress on project activities and follows-up on project tasks to ensure deliverable deadlines are met on time and with high quality. 
8. Prepares drafts of narrative and financial project-related reports or updates to donors in collaboration with internal and external partners.   
9. Schedules and moderates meetings and calls, prepares meeting materials in collaboration with internal and external partners, takes meeting notes and conducts necessary follow up.  
10. Serves as project liaison for and between internal and external partners. 
11. Contributes to the development of project-related goals, objectives, operating policies, guidelines, standards and priorities to ensure consistency with departmental standard operating procedures. 
12. Supports CDC Foundation colleagues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings with internal and external partners. 
13. Travels as needed to support the designated projects and other CDC Foundation team members (up to 10 percent annually).  
14. Participates in and/or supports special projects and other duties as assigned. 
     

Minimum Qualifications 

1. Master’s degree completed or nearing completion in public health or related field from an accredited college or university required.  
2. Minimum of 1 year of public health or related professional experience required. 
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing, writing and editing complex documents such as reports and briefing documents; and concise presentation of information using data and science to drive messaging. 
4. Strong technical skills including word processing, spreadsheet and database management.   
5. Skills in project management and budget management preferred.    
6. Ability to make decisions and seek advice to achieve project strategic outputs. 
7. Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail; thorough in accomplishing tasks with a high degree of accuracy. 
8. Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; resourceful and efficient; collegial, energetic and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, donors and partners. 
9. Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels both internally and externally.   

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law. We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.

About the CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation helps CDC save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. The CDC Foundation manages hundreds of programs each year impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information.