Health Engagement Specialist

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chief Engagement Officer with developing and coordinating strategic engagement activities that support the mission and advance health equity across heart, lung, blood, and sleep research and related public health initiatives.
• Foster engagement opportunities across multiple and diverse audiences to promote inclusiveness in biomedical research participation and to ensure that new discoveries, clinical trials findings, and progress on research initiatives are effectively disseminated.
• Serve as Project Manager for developing the Strategic Engagement Plan. Meet with leadership, senior-level program leads, and key partners to discuss past, current and future projects to inform development of an Institute-wide Engagement Plan. 
• Create and effectively deliver internal and external presentations to multiple communities of interest including federal staff, community organizations and leaders, professional organizations, etc. 
• Plan and organize scientific workshops, public meetings and symposia.
• Support complex biomedical research engagement efforts. Participate in the evaluation and/or dissemination efforts of studies to develop health communication materials for diverse audiences. 
• Coordinate capacity building opportunities to enhance community organizations awareness of government funding opportunities supporting research and to increase dissemination of research findings.
• Review informational and educational material for technical, scientific, and programmatic accuracy. 
• Work to implement strategies to ensure that accurate and timely messages reach key constituents and audiences (federal and state health officials, researchers, health professionals, related organizations and associations, advocacy groups, other stakeholders, and the public) as appropriate.
• Participate as a team member in meetings (all-hands, Office of the Director meetings, Engagement team meetings, etc.) and in other meetings and working groups that could yield information related to our community engagement programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Qualified training should include one of the following:

• Not less than three (3) years of specialized experience plus a master’s degree
• More than five (5) years of specialized experience plus a bachelor’s degree 
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in a related field.

• Knowledge, understanding and experience in the field of community engaged research, establishing strategic partnerships, health communications and best practices.

• A strong track record of experience in health communications with subject matter expertise in engagement and relationship building.
• Experience in planning and supporting communications and engagement activities.  Special emphasis on providing guidance in health, research or scientific areas preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in interpersonal and formal settings, including oral and written communication.
• Ability to work and interact with individuals at various levels of the organization, including senior leadership.
• Project management skills and ability to set priorities, develop work plans, and monitor progress.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple projects, turn around projects quickly, and meet deadlines.
• Skill in monitoring relevant issues that may impact the organization and analyze and evaluate all available information and apply seasoned judgment to recommend a plan of action for communications or engagements.
• Knowledge and experience working in the areas of the research, health, and or medicine.
• Ability to work fluidly as a team member (or lead when appropriate) in a collaborative capacity.
• Ability to apply a proactive approach in a deadline-oriented workplace in managing multiple and often high-priority projects with similar timing (e.g., reviewing deliverables, scheduling external engagement activities, etc.).
• Ability to gauge the appropriate level of investment against the importance of an activity.