Program Officer

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $1.9 billion and launched more than 1,300 programs 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. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of programs in the United States and in more than 90 countries last year. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information.  

Position Title: Program Officer

Department: Non-Infectious Disease Programs

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Senior Program Officer

The Program Officer (PO) for Non-Infectious Disease Programs implements output-driven public health projects and/or moderately complex programs – comprised of multiple, temporary, unique and related projects. This portfolio spans critical public health topics of maternal and child health, injury and violence prevention and evaluation for impact. Implementation is done in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), donors and other internal and external partners. With discretion, professionalism and independent judgment, the PO is responsible for the coordinated management of projects and/or moderately complex programs directed toward the CDC Foundation’s strategic and business objectives.

This position is based in Atlanta, GA. Remote candidates will be considered; however, Atlanta-based applicants are preferred. Frequent attendance at in-person team meetings in Atlanta and across the US is required. Relocation expenses are not provided.

1. Conceptualizes, plans, executes, monitors and closes projects that span internal departments, organizations, geographic regions and cultures for the designated division.

2. Fosters and maintains peer-to-peer relationships with subject matter experts, donors, field employees and other partners aimed at efficient and effective project and/or moderately complex program implementation.

3. Prepares, finalizes and submits narrative and financial project and/or program-related reports or updates to donors in collaboration with internal and external partners.

4. Develops data driven briefing documents and project updates with a focus on design and partner engagement.

5. Hires, recruits, supervises, and serves as a programmatic partner for project and program related field employees.

6. Serves as project liaison for and between internal and external partners.

7. Manages significant matters such as project development, project-related budgeting and procurement, and auditing/evaluating project performance.

8. Formulates project and/or program-related goals, objectives, operating policies, guidelines, standards and priorities to ensure consistency with departmental standard operating procedures.

9. Contributes to resource mobilization efforts for the assigned projects/programs in consultation and collaboration with internal and external partners.

10. Prepares, negotiates and monitors project and/or program-related contracts and agreements.

11. Represents the CDC Foundation at technical, policy, and strategic planning meetings with internal and external partners.

12. Serves as the contact person in the absence of team members, in this capacity, the PO acknowledges receipt of correspondence and follows up on urgent matters with appropriate internal staff.

13. Travels domestically and/or internationally as needed to represent the designated projects and/or programs and other CDC Foundation team members (up to 20 percent annually).

14. Participates in and/or supports special projects and other duties as assigned.

1. Master’s degree in public health or related field from an accredited college or university required.

2. Minimum of 5 years of public health or related professional experience required with a strong background in complex program design, implementation and management.

3. Previous experience in injury and violence prevention, maternal health, evaluation in either domestic or global settings.

4. Previous experience managing federal and/or privately funded projects.

5. Strong organizational skills including project management, budget management, cross-cultural awareness, communication and creative problem solving.

6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with particular experience preparing, writing and editing complex documents such as detailed reports to donors and partners; briefing documents for CDC, donors and other partners; and concise presentation of information using data and science to drive messaging.

7. Strong technical skills including word processing, spreadsheet and database management.

8. Experience with enterprise resource planning systems and software packages used to manage day-to-day business activities such as program management and budgeting preferred.

9. Knowledge and skills needed to be effective in the public-private partnership, project/program, donor and partner environments in international or domestic contexts.

10. Creative, innovative and solutions driven, with a focus on design, powerful storytelling and engaging partners.

11. Ability to make decisions that accomplish a project/program strategic objectives.

12. Ability to represent the CDC Foundation and its partners during negotiations concerning project planning, implementation and evaluation.

13. Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, donors and partners.

14. Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels both internally and externally.

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.