Program Officer, Policy

The Commonwealth Fund

3d•$111,944 - $139,930•Onsite

About The Position

The Commonwealth Fund — among the first private foundations started by a woman philanthropist, Anna M. Harkness — was established in 1918 with the broad charge to enhance the common good. Today, the mission of The Commonwealth Fund is to promote a high-performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, and people of color. The Fund carries out this mandate by supporting independent research on health care issues and making grants to improve health care practice and policy. Our Values and Commitment to Equity The Commonwealth Fund envisions a health care system that values and benefits all people equally — one that pursues equity in health care and health outcomes as well as in leadership and decision-making. We believe this requires an alliance of people and institutions across society working together to recognize and value the lived experience of all individuals; ensure the delivery of compassionate, affordable, quality health care; and strive for equitable outcomes for all. We place great value on the varied backgrounds and experiences our staff bring to our organization and encourage employees to bring their full selves to the workplace. We look for talented, nimble, empathetic, and supportive team players who are ready to roll up their sleeves, create impactful change, and celebrate accomplishments. Program Summary The Commonwealth Fund’s Policy Hub aims to equip policymakers with the evidence they need to make informed decisions. To that end, the Policy Hub anticipates and responds to emerging policy opportunities with research and analysis produced by Commonwealth Fund experts and grantees. Our focus is: Investing in projects that generate timely, evidence-based insights and analysis for federal and state policymakers, policy influencers, and stakeholders. Disseminating and sharing lessons learned in policy and practice, with a focus on education and information-sharing among policymakers, policy influencers, and stakeholders. Facilitating states' ability to learn from each other and fostering dialogue between state and federal policymakers. Ensuring the research needs and policy priorities of state and federal officials are reflected in the Commonwealth Fund's programmatic strategies. The Policy Hub informs policymakers and influencers through educational briefings and events, strategic grantmaking, facilitating connections between grantees and policymakers, and providing written responses to policy proposals and requests for information. The program also maintains strategic partnerships with organizations that serve specific target audiences, such as state legislators, health policy leaders, and Medicaid directors. General Position Description The Program Officer will report to the Senior Vice President, Policy who leads the Policy Hub and support the SVP in coordinating the overall work and efficiency of the team to ensure goals and priorities are met.

Requirements

A Masters level education and minimum of five years of related work experience.
Demonstrated experience with the political process and policy windows at the federal and state levels.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong health care analytical skills including the ability to summarize and present information from different sources, including quantitative sources.
Strong coordination and project management abilities.
Strong organizational skills with a concern for details, accuracy, and deadlines and will have the ability to set priorities and work with a minimum of supervision.
Excellent interpersonal skills, working well on a team, and a willingness to participate in the general workflow of the office.
Experience translating and messaging policymakers and influencers at the state and federal level.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to candidates who have grantmaking experience (e.g., prospecting and developing proposals, managing funded projects).

Responsibilities

Developing new grant projects in consultation with the SVP, including identifying prospective grantees, working with prospective grantees to improve project design and working with internal team to review projects.
Developing strategic program plans for the Policy team in partnership with the SVP. This includes evaluating opportunities in the field, synthesizing findings from the past year from all projects across the program area and assisting in the development of strategic options for the program for the year ahead.
Managing grants for the Policy Hub. This includes the tracking of projects through ongoing contact with grantees, reviewing grantee interim and final deliverables, and providing subject matter expertise as appropriate.
Reviewing Completed Grant Memoranda drafted by the program associate to ensure they capture achievements, any issues in implementation, and lessons learned for Fund grantmaking.
Tracking federal and state activities across key Fund issue areas.
Leading or coordinating responses to policy opportunities in partnership with other programs, such as responses to requests for information or comments on proposed rulemaking.
Working closely with the SVP of Policy to identify opportunities to connect Fund work to state and federal policy makers in person, virtually and through the elevation of Fund and grantee products.
Working with SVP and Policy Hub team, supporting a new state-based initiative focusing on understanding and translating the priorities and pain points of patients and health care stakeholders across a range of geographic areas.
Working with SVP and Policy Hub, crafting and supporting educational events for Members of Congress and Congressional Staff.
Working with the Fund's communications department on the presentation and dissemination of project findings to the media, social media, and other interested parties.
Developing briefing materials and policy briefs for publication by the Fund or outside publications.
Representing the Fund at meetings and conferences, as requested.