Health Scientist, Futures Group

Futures Group develops and delivers innovative, locally relevant, evidence-based solutions to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. Since 1971, we have assisted governmental and non-governmental agencies, foundations, and the private sector by designing, implementing and evaluating programs in HIV, sexual and reproductive health, population and family planning, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and gender. Futures Group has deep expertise in policy and advocacy, research and strategic information, health markets and private sector engagement, modeling and economic analysis, patient monitoring and management/HMIS, strategic consulting, and program management.

Position Summary
Futures Group is seeking a Health or Social Scientist I to provide research support in the implementation of project activities across a few ongoing global projects. This is a full-time, entry-level position based in Washington, DC. The incumbent will gain broad exposure to the design, background research, and implementation of global health and population programs in developing countries. Primary responsibility will be to assist HQ and field technical staff with literature reviews, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and certain administrative tasks related to ongoing technical activities from the key program areas. The position requires knowledge of global health policy, especially within the domain areas of HIV/AIDS, family planning, and health financing.

Key Responsibilities

Provide general project backstopping and research assistance to management and technical staff for US-based activities, as well as regional and country work. Activities may involve:
Retrieving journal articles, conduct background research/literature reviews
Assisting with deliverables tracking and monitoring and evaluation for reporting
Contributing  news items to website and assist with  promotion and dissemination of project materials
o    Drafting and edit briefs and presentations, based on project work

o    Traveling to Africa, Latin America, or Asia, as needed (up to 15-20% of the time).

Manage technical assistance activities:
Coordinate the development of work plans, budgets, and scopes of work for trips, short-term technical assistance, subawards, and country programs.
Organize team planning meetings.
Recruit consultants, prepare their terms of reference; review monthly financial reports; track project expenditures; comply with USAID regulations and Futures Group policies; and coordinate with departments at Futures Group (e.g., Contracts, Accounting, and Operations Compliance).
Produce analytic papers and policy briefs for specific assignments
Support field consultants and research staff through e-mail and phone calls, while being clear and concise and providing excellent service.
Provide administrative, logistic, and planning support for project events and conferences (e.g., maintain communication with participants and conference speakers, coordinate venue set-up, catering, etc.)
Maintain project-wide communication channels and interface with project staff according to the management team’s needs
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Entry-level position. MPH or MA in international development, international relations, public policy, or related field. The following qualifications are desirable:

Familiarity with USAID-supported projects desirable
Familiarity with international health and/or other social sectors required
Strong organizational and administrative skills with high capacity for attention to detail required
Strong analytical and computer skills (WORD, Excel, PowerPoint, Web-based research)
Ability to multi-task and keep track of concurrent deadlines
Excellent writing and communication skills
Inquisitive and proactive
Ability to work well independently as well as in a team and communicate effectively with diverse cultural and professional staff members
Aims to beat expectations – excellent skills in managing assigned workload
Fluency in French and other languages highly desirable
Experience working in developing countries desired


All applications for this position should be submitted online at www.futuresgroup.com via the Careers page. Futures Group provides equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.