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Technical Advisor, Data and Epidemiology Location United States, New York, NY Department SUBSTANCE USE # of openings 2

Technical Advisor, Data and Epidemiology

Vital Strategies is a global public health organization. Our programs strengthen public health systems and address the world’s leading causes of illness, injury, and death. We currently work in more than 80 countries, supporting data-driven decision-making in government, advancing evidence-based public health policies, and mounting strategic communication campaigns. Vital Strategies’ priorities are driven by the greatest potential to improve and save lives. They include noncommunicable disease prevention, tobacco control, road safety, food policy, environmental health, and data for health. Our programs are concentrated 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.

We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by people with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, national origin, ancestry, actual or perceived age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for those seeking employment.

About the Program:

The Overdose Prevention Program partners with governments and communities to advance evidence-based strategies that reduce overdose deaths. Through grant funding and tailored technical assistance, the program helps government, institutional, and community partners strengthen policies, implement innovative programs, and mobilize local action to address the evolving overdose crisis.

Our work spans the neighborhood, local, regional, and jurisdictional levels, supporting sustainable public health solutions that are responsive to local needs. Program staff are organized into multidisciplinary regional teams, each managing a portfolio of states or Native communities. These teams work closely with colleagues in Operations and with subject matter experts in Communications, Program Evaluation & Knowledge Management, and Legal & Policy to deliver coordinated, high-impact support.

Job Purpose:

The Technical Advisor (TA), Data and Epidemiology draws on their knowledge of research and evaluation design, data analysis and interpretation, data visualization and presentation, and data management, to help ensure that we assess need and progress in our focus states; work with government partners to help build their capacity to provide monitoring and actionable data products within their states; and provide technical assistance to community subgrantees on management and utilization of their own program data.

This role also includes participating in projects of national scope in collaboration with our Overdose Initiative partners, providing research, project management, and thought leadership in projects such as surveys and research, creation of topic-specific toolkits and explainer products, and other projects as may arise during the initiative.

The TA contributes their lived experience and professional knowledge while learning from the experience and expertise of colleagues as the team plans, monitors, and continually improves the program.

This is anew role for the Overdose Prevention program. It is a full-time positionpreferably based in the New York City metro area; we will consider other locations in the U.S. dependent on the work (North Carolina, New Jersey, Kentucky, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Nevada, or Washington state). We offer highly competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits. The salary range for this position is $ 88,000 to $ 98,000 USD.

Reporting & Key Relationships:

The TA, Data and Epidemiology is an integral member of a multidisciplinary team of experts. Reporting to the Regional Deputy Director, the position collaborates closely with their team and the Principal Program Evaluation & Knowledge Management Advisor.

The TA provides technical guidance to subgrantees as they implement and report on project activities. This position also carries direct supervisory responsibility for assigned embedded staff placed within government agencies and is expected to support and guide those staff in advancing overdose prevention priorities from within those institutions.

To foster continuous learning, the TA will participate in an internal Community of Practice led by the Principal Program Evaluation & Knowledge Management Advisor with peers who serve in the same capacity in other OPP regions and may attend conferences with external stakeholders working on overdose prevention. While the TA’s work will focus primarily on their assigned region, they may be called upon to share their expertise more widely and serve as a resource to other regional teams as well.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Collective Planning and State Strategy Development -

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary team and contribute data and epidemiological perspective to develop and monitor the implementation of a comprehensive strategy and annual work plan for each state that integrates the collective expertise and experience of the team, current overdose data and epidemiology, state policy landscapes, community needs, and lessons learned from prior implementation.
• Cultivate a culture of curiosity and shared learning that supports a holistic approach to programming: consult regularly with colleagues on needs related to core responsibilities and expertise; and adapt own planning to integrate other professional perspectives.
• Apply an intersectional racial justice framework across all planning processes, program design, and implementation.

Technical Assistance and Project Implementation -

• Plan, design, and deliver technical assistance aligned with the regional and collective strategies, to strengthen data sharing, data integration, and epidemiological capacity among state and local government agencies to inform overdose prevention and public health interventions.
• Provide direct technical assistance to subgrantees, in partnership with the relevant STA and Program Manager to:

• integrate quality improvement (QI), and MERLA (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adaptation) frameworks;

• strengthen data management, self-evaluation, monitoring and the effective use of program data to demonstrate progress and communicate impact to external stakeholders such as government agencies and funders
• Analyze, interpret, visualize and communicate epidemiologic and programmatic data to produce data reports, dashboards, summaries and other actionable data products that support regional priorities and targeted (e.g. assessment of naloxone availability by geography, to develop key projects about naloxone distribution points)
• In consultation with Regional Deputy Director, contract and manage external consultants and vendors, as needed, to support data and epidemiology objectives.
• Translate data findings into actionable recommendations that inform program strategy, implementation, and decision-making across state and regional efforts.

Data Landscaping, Monitoring, and Research Support -

• In collaboration with Initiative partners:
• Establish and maintain ongoing monitoring of state data, and national data sources relevant to focus states, to assess need, identify trends, and prepare overview reports on stat-level data landscapes;
• Support the regional team to integrate emerging data into strategic planning and implementation;
• Participate in design and execution of research studies including multi-state surveys, system analyses, and other evaluation activities.
• Support and/or lead data-related components of national and regional projects, including program toolkits, explainer products, and other resources.

Staff Management & Embedded Positions -

• Supervise embedded staff focused on data collection, reporting, analysis, and epidemiologic activities within government agencies across the region, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development support.
• Coordinate closely with host agency supervisors and government partners to ensure embedded staff are effectively integrated into agency workflows while remaining aligned with program goals.
• Support embedded staff in navigating the complexities of working within government institutions — including building relationships with agency counterparts, advancing overdose prevention priorities within bureaucratic environments, and maintaining strong communication with the regional team.
• Collaborate with the Regional Deputy Director on embedded staff work planning, performance reviews, and any issues related to placement, scope, or agency relationships.

Other -

• Additional tasks as directed

Qualifications:

Education -

· Minimum Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, data science, or a closely related quantitative or public health field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. A master’s is preferred.

Skills & Abilities -

· Deep commitment to racial equity and public health justice, with experience operationalizing these values through program design and technical assistance delivery.

· Demonstrated ability in interpreting data analysis and research findings, integrating and synthesizing information from a variety of sources.

· Clear understanding of the strengths, shortcomings, and applications of various sources; this includes analysis of data landscape to formulate actionable recommendations for program implementation.

· Strong knowledge of program impact evaluation, including developing outcome metrics, tracking and interpreting trends.

· Strong project management skills, with the ability to make sound, informed judgments.

· Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise staff, communicate clearly and regularly, monitor performance, and inspire, engage, and motivate staff.

· Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

· Ability to present complex information in an easy-to-understand manner.

· Ability to manage contractors and coordinate varied streams of work.

· Demonstrated willingness and ability to integrate new information and adapt with agility; and facilitate collaboration, clarify roles and responsibilities, and build alignment among stakeholders with differing perspectives to support effective implementation.

· Diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational, and social backgrounds.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office or equivalent, particularly slides and document creation, editing, and formatting.

· Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Experience:

Required –

· Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in epidemiology, public health data, applied research, evaluation, overdose prevention, behavioral health, substance use, or a related public health field.

· Experience analyzing, synthesizing, and translating complex data into actionable reports, dashboards, visualizations, presentations, or technical products for diverse audiences using tools such as PowerBI, Tableau, or REDCap.

· Experience working with state and local government agencies, public health systems, healthcare systems, or community-based organizations to strengthen data collection, monitoring, reporting, and use of data for program improvement.

· Experience providing technical assistance, training, or capacity building to external partners, grantees, or government entities on data management, evaluation, performance monitoring, or quality improvement.

· Experience supervising and managing staff, consultants, or embedded technical positions.

Preferred -

· Demonstrated understanding of substance use, overdose, and effective practices in reducing overdose deaths, including non-judgmental harm reduction approaches, highly preferred.

· Prior experience assisting with strategic planning or program evaluation with a diverse set of stakeholders and priorities.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

· May be required to travel occasionally between partner offices in the New York City area;

· Up to 30% of time in domestic travel may be required to attend meetings.