Position Title: Technical Advisor – Communications and Policy
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Senior Program Officer
Position Highlights
Location: Hybrid
Salary Range: $90,000 – 120,000, plus benefits
Position Type: Grant funded, limited-term opportunity contingent upon funding
Position End Date: September 29, 2027
Overview
The CDC Foundation is seeking a candidate for a full-time Technical Advisor position to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO). The candidate will support communication, information dissemination and policy for the project team, including communication planning, message development and materials development. The role also involves building and maintaining relationships across DNPAO branches and with communication counterparts across CDC and with external partner organizations to advance shared strategies and support program goals.
The Technical Advisor will leverage expertise and experience in nutrition, communications and policy. Strong communication and teamwork skills are of absolute importance to succeed in this role.
Work would be on-site at a CDC Atlanta campus. Expectations include being on-site a minimum of 2 days a week and as needed for other pertinent meetings. Relocation expenses are not provided.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and execute strategies that elevate program visibility and amplify key messages on nutrition and chronic disease prevention.
- Use knowledge of nutrition science, communications and policy to write topical issue briefs on initiatives supported by the program.
- Lead the creation and dissemination of communications products and supporting materials.
- Build familiarity with nutrition-related laws, regulations, and policies and produce associated written products and responses as needed.
- Build and maintain relationships with federal and external partners.
- Support Branch leadership in responding to internal and external requests and developing deliverables.
- Advise senior program leadership and team members on suggested communication strategies, message framing, media engagement and other media topics as needed.
- Create and disseminate communications products and supporting materials for the program.
- Ensure that documents conform to agency policies, branding and style.
- Assist with issue management, response development and real-time tracking of deliverables with urgent deadlines.
- Support the management of team information on SharePoint and MS Teams
- Prepare timely responses to inquiries from internal and external audiences, working with subject matter experts and leadership as needed.
- Use expertise on nutrition, communications and policy expertise to write topical issue briefs on initiatives supported by the program.
- Translate scientific information into plain language for non-scientific audiences
- Ensure that documents conform to agency policies, branding and style.
- Plan and execute the evaluation of external communication messages and impact.
- Manage clearance processes for communication products, research, evaluation and publications
- Maintain familiarity with scientific and non-scientific literature related to project publications.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Necessary Skills
- Master’s degree in communications, public health, public policy or a related field.
- 5 years of experience developing policy and/or communication products for government agencies.
- Demonstrated ability to independently lead the production of high-quality, error-free communication products, documents, and presentations.
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, subject matter experts and external partners.
- Proven ability to collaborate as part of a team while independently managing tasks and timelines.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Experience engaging community partners and providing capacity-building or skill-based support.
- Ability to listen to and learn from a broad range of partners, encouraging meaningful participation and productive working relationships.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize, stay organized and meet deadlines.
- Experience working in a virtual environment with remote partners and teams.
- If needed, willingness to travel domestically (up to 5% annually).
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.
The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.
Relocation expenses are not included.
About the CDC Foundation
The CDC Foundation is an independent nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners to support the public health system, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in preventing and responding to threats to health. In this role, we are focused on one priority: building catalytic, flexible and impactful partnerships—with corporations, philanthropies, individuals and organizations—to help improve the health and lives of people in all communities, everywhere. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information
Skills Required
- Master's degree in communications, public health, public policy, or a related field
- At least 5 years of experience developing policy and/or communication products for government agencies
- Ability to independently lead the production of high-quality, error-free communication products, documents, and presentations
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, subject matter experts, and external partners
- Ability to collaborate as part of a team while independently managing tasks and timelines
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Experience engaging community partners and providing capacity-building or skill-based support
- Ability to listen to and learn from a broad range of partners and encourage meaningful participation and productive working relationships
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize, stay organized, and meet deadlines
- Experience working in a virtual environment with remote partners and teams
- Willingness to travel domestically up to 5% annually if needed
What We Do
The CDC Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By forging effective partnerships between the CDC and foundations, organizations, corporations, and individuals, the Foundation helps the CDC save and improve lives, fight threats to health and safety, and strengthen public health systems in the United States and globally.
