Technical Advisor – Environmental Epidemiologist At Vital Strategies

Vital Strategies is an international public health organization. We develop and oversee programs to strengthen public health systems and implement evidence-based initiatives to address leading causes of morbidity and mortality, providing expertise in project implementation and management, strategic communications, epidemiology and surveillance, environmental health and other core public health capacities. The Vital Strategies Environmental Health division applies tools of public health to inform policies that support healthy, equitable and sustainable outcomes for people living in an increasingly urbanized world. Most Vital Strategies activities are based in low- and middle-income countries and cities in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Please visit our website at www.vitalstrategies.org to find out more about our work.

Vital Strategies is recruiting an Epidemiologist/Public Health Specialist with applied expertise in environmental health science, epidemiology and risk assessment (epidemiologist) to 1) increase commitment and capacity of key stakeholders to strengthen air quality management, with a focus on increased use of routinely collected local data to inform health impact and economic assessments; 2) support efforts to strengthen surveillance for air pollution, lead, and other leading environmental determinants of health; and 3) participate in assessment, training and technical assistance activities to enhance the quality, use and dissemination of relevant health and environmental data to inform the public and policymakers about the risks of air pollution. The epidemiologist will also use data to emphasize the health and climate co-benefits of improved air quality. The hire will also collaborate across Vital Strategies teams and with government partners, technical experts, consultants, and civil society partners.

Vital Strategies invite applications from local nationals or applicants with valid work authorizations to work in either of the following countries: Singapore, Indonesia, India, or the United States. For applicants in the United States, residency is required in the New York City. Vital Strategies pays a competitive salary based on the labor market where the job is located. All candidates must have work authorization to work in the country at time of hire. Applicants are asked to upload their cover letter and resume in one PDF document when applying for this position. Applicants are asked to upload their cover letter and resume in one PDF document when applying for this position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify and work in collaboration with Ministries of Health, relevant agencies and other technical partners, such as atmospheric modelers and health economists, to identify, compile and assess relevant health and air pollution data
• Oversee the work of consultants, including health economists and exposure assessment specialists
• Lead these collaborations in selecting and applying methodologies for estimating the current health and economic burdens from air pollution and health impacts from priority air pollution control scenarios, including avoidable hospitalizations, premature mortality, and childhood illnesses
• Contribute to the design of lead poisoning surveillance programs and develop study protocols and data reporting templates
• Analyze and interpret findings from lead exposure surveillance efforts
• Establish and strengthen partnerships with key technical experts and organizations in the region
• Author, co-author and edit technical reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts, including systematic reviews of the available epidemiologic literature
• Collaborate with communication specialists to create non-technical reports and briefings targeting the press and other media, and the general public to raise awareness of the impacts of air pollution and other environmental risk factors
• Participate in the development of concept notes and funding proposals on these and related environmental health issues
• Monitor project progress and develop progress reports for funders
• Respond to information and assistance requests from funders, field staff, and partners
• Identify, surface, and troubleshoot impediments to these efforts
• Coordinate regional training efforts about environmental determinants of health, risk factor surveillance, and health impact assessment methods using health impact evidence to inform policies
• Support efforts to increase health sector engagement needed to advance clean air and other environmental action
• Attend and present at conferences and meetings in support of these activities
• Assist with other Vital Strategies duties as specified by the Senior Epidemiologist for Global Environmental Health

Qualification and Experience:

• Graduate degree in environmental health sciences, epidemiology, public health, or relevant field of study or equivalent experience/education with at least 8 years of experience in environmental health sciences, epidemiology, policy, and/or program implementation

Desired Experience:

• Experience conducting public health surveillance and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks highly desirable
• Prior experience working in collaboration with governmental health or environmental ministries highly desirable

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong quantitative skills in environmental epidemiology, risk assessment or related work
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, develop partnerships, and contribute to interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and make sound, informed decisions
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with use of environmental health risk, health burden and impact estimation methods and tools, such as Ben MAP or similar

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Willingness to travel up to 20% of work time once safe to do so and work flexible hours to communicate across different time zones

Additional Information:

• Vital Strategies invite applications from local nationals or applicants with valid work authorizations to work in either of the following countries: Singapore, Indonesia, India, or the United States. For applicants in the United States, residency is required in the New York City or Washington D.C. metropolitan areas.