The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is a nonprofit philanthropic organization with the mission to address the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians. Founded in 2001, the Foundation is investing in communities and informing health policy through research, education and grant making. Since 2001, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million throughout the Commonwealth.

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is seeking a Community Health Research Officer. Successful candidates will have significant knowledge of health data sources and research methods; strong analytic and writing skills; and the ability to work with researchers, epidemiologists, and other technical and lay professionals and Foundation staff. This position has lead responsibility for the Foundation’s health data collection and dissemination efforts, including public opinion polling, and provides support to the Foundation’s two major initiatives: Promoting Responsive Health Policy and Investing in Kentucky’s Future.

The work involves building and maintaining positive relationships with researchers, data analysts and data users; health data research and analysis and oversight of vendors and grantees performing such work; and coordinating technical assistance for stakeholders.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Work with CEO, Foundation staff (particularly Program Officers and Communications Officer), and external evaluator to plan and develop program activities to advance Foundation mission. Provide support to the Foundation’s Investing in Kentucky’s Future and Promoting Responsive Health Policy initiatives.
• Oversee the Foundation’s public polling efforts, including the annual Kentucky Health Issues Poll and triennial Kentucky Parent Survey. Manage relationships with co-funders and contracted survey research firms. Develop reports and disseminate findings to policymakers, the media, professional organizations and the general public.
• Maintain the Foundation’s health data website, www.kentuckyhealthfacts.org. Build and maintain positive relationships with health data professionals and secure content from key state and national data resources. Manage contracts with researchers for custom analyses.
• Identify the need for and oversee execution of contracts for periodic targeted research studies, including the triennial Kentucky Health Care Market Report.
• Plan and coordinate the Foundation’s annual Health for a Change series of capacity-building workshops and webinars. Work with Community Engagement Program Officer to maintain a directory of health coalitions and provide them with training opportunities. Develop learning objectives and contract with technical assistance providers as needed.
• Provide information and technical assistance in response to requests.
• Work with Communications Director to plan, research, and write briefs, reports, other publications on health data trends and learnings from Foundation-sponsored research efforts for public and professional audiences.
• Represent the Foundation and relevant project work at meetings and conferences.
• Actively participate in efforts to improve individual and team quality of performance. Participate in staff/team meetings and training.

Qualifications:

• Minimum qualifications for a Community Health Research Officer include a masters or other graduate degree in public policy research, public health, or related areas, plus four years of relevant work experience. Work experience may substitute for a graduate degree.
• Experience with public opinion polling research methods preferred.
• Experience with quantitative research methods, either through direct work experience or education, required.
• Grants management experience and knowledge of health policy issues are highly desirable.
• Excellent writing, communication, analytic and organizational skills required.
• Ability to manage complex workload and balance assignments to achieve quality results in a timely manner required.
• Ability to create and sustain positive working relationships with staff and diverse constituencies and work independently as well as collaboratively required.
• Valid Kentucky drivers license and fully insured to operate a vehicle for statewide travel.

The Foundation offers competitive benefits and salary commensurate with experience.

About the Foundation:

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is an endowed public charity dedicated to addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians through health policy. Our aim is to promote lasting change in the systems by which health care is provided, to improve access to care, reduce health risks and disparities,

and promote health equity. Learn more at www.healthy-ky.org.

Application Instructions:

The Foundation is an Equal

Opportunity Employer. The deadline for receipt of applications is June 30, 2013. A first round of interviews is expected to be held July 8-9, 2013.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter, including salary requirements no later than June 30, 2013 to:

 

Mary Jo Dike, Chief Operations Officer

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky

 

No phone calls, please.