Senior Officer, Science,
Food Additives Campaign – Washington, DC
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Job ID:
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2010-2026
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Location:
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US-DC-Washington
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Department:
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Pew
Health Group
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Posted Date:
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1/26/2010
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Apply for this job:
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More information about this job:
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Overview:
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The Organization
The
Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's
most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to
improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life.
Based in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., Pew produces fact-based
research and develops practical solutions to challenging issues.
The Pew Health Group
The
Pew Health Group (PHG) seeks to improve the health and well being of all
Americans. Based on research and critical analysis, the program advocates
policies that reduce unacceptable health risk, focusing on areas that
include consumer, medical and consumer product safety.
Food Additives Initiative
The
PHG food additives initiative reviews the available scientific evidence on
whether or not chemical additives to our food supply have substantial
health risks, and seeks to evaluate whether current regulatory oversight is
scientifically based and adequate to protect the public. The project
assesses policy solutions to address these concerns, and uses public
education, nonpartisan research and other activities to further the
objective of improving the scientific foundation for food additive
regulatory policies.
Position Overview
This
position, based in Pew’s Washington, D.C. office, will report to the
director of the Food Additives Project. The director, Science, will be
responsible for researching and drafting key scientific papers, and
overseeing the drafting of scientific papers by contractors. The director
also will be responsible in part for selecting, vetting, and working
closely with the Task Force on Food Additives members, and for overseeing
peer reviews of all papers. The director will also present science (along
with authors) to the Task Force, agencies, Congressional staff, media,
potential allies, and others, and oversee all scientific aspects of the
project. Once the project is up and running, starting in late 2010 the
director may spend up to 50% of his/her time working on other Pew Health
Group projects.
The
director will help design and implement research and analysis for the
project, coordinate convenings, manage special projects, maintain internal
and external communications and support other programmatic investments and
budget activities. The director may also undertake special projects
aimed at improving the overall operation of the project and other projects
in the PHG portfolio.
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Responsibilities:
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- Under the direction of the
project director, develop, research and draft scientific reports,
press releases and other products that are highly relevant to policy deliberations
and easily understood by the public, media and policymakers.
Edit and proof draft documents for accuracy.
- Oversee the drafting of
scientific papers by contractors.
- Under the direction of the
project director, assist in selecting, vetting, and working closely
with Task Force on Food Additives members.
- Oversee peer reviews of all
papers.
- Present science (along with
authors) to the Task Force, agencies, Congressional staff, media,
potential allies, and others, and oversee all scientific aspects of
the project.
- Assist program staff in
processing contracts and subgrants for the food additive project and
other projects in PHG’s portfolio. Help ensure that contracts
and subgrants to be submitted to the managing director and president
are complete, accurate and timely.
- Collect and analyze data on
food additive issues to support an interactive website targeted to
policy makers and interested segments of the public.
- Work with the project
director to facilitate and coordinate administrative aspects of food
additive and other projects in the PHG portfolio, such as budgets,
shared files, annual program plans, staff meetings and project public
forums and convenings.
- Ensure that internal and
external audiences are kept apprised of project updates through
informal newsletters, mailings and other vehicles.
- Develop and maintain an
informed awareness of topics of interest in the PHG portfolio in order
to most effectively carry out all of the activities listed above and
participate in special research projects.
- Contribute to and participate
in tasks of project and PHG as assigned, as well as broader Pew-wide
projects and/or committees as needed.
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Requirements:
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- Advanced degree in medicine
or science (an MD or Ph.D.).
- Four to eight years of relevant
professional experience, including demonstrated research, analytical
and writing skills. Experience in public policy preferred.
- Experience writing clear and
cogent materials that synthesize scientific and policy issues for
internal audiences, policy makers, the media and public.
- Experience synthesizing and
summarizing large amounts of information focusing quickly on the
essence of an issue, as well as identifying, understanding and
synthesizing different policy perspectives.
- Experience working with
academics, nonprofits and other entities conducting research and
policy analysis, helping ensure the results are rigorous, policy
relevant and timely and are communicated clearly and persuasively to
target audiences.
- Strong systems skills
including Microsoft office products required; database and online
research applications preferred.
- Ability to work
professionally and collegially within a creative, fast-paced corporate
culture that emphasizes excellence and teamwork.
- Demonstrated time- and
project-management skills, including an ability to meet multiple
deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Ability
to set priorities and identify resources.
- Ability to work independently
with limited supervision. Flexible and able to routinely juggle
multiple competing priorities and work in teams of both support and
senior staff to meet project goals.
Travel
Minimal
overnight travel for occasional meetings and conferences.
Compensation
Pew
offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including
four weeks of vacation annually, a generous 401(k) plan and flexible
benefit options. The position is funded through July 2010, with the
possibility of renewal depending on the initiative’s progress, board approval
and continued funding.
Pew
is an equal opportunity employer.
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