Director, Food and Nutrition Research

Director of Food and Nutrition Research

Position Summary

The successful candidate will oversee Insight’s Food and Nutrition research practice area. The Food and Nutrition practice area focuses on nutrition assistance programs serving disadvantaged populations, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), school meals programs, and other Child Nutrition programs. Insight teams work collaboratively with Federal and State agencies to design and execute rigorous data collection, evaluation, and analysis strategies. These strategies yield actionable intelligence regarding the characteristics of program beneficiaries, the effectiveness of policy reforms, and the overall impact these programs have on beneficiaries’ lives.

As Director of Food and Nutrition Research, the successful candidate will have primary responsibility for ensuring successful execution of Food and Nutrition research and evaluation projects. The Director will develop and execute a strategy for the practice area, oversee capture planning and business development activities, monitor performance of active projects, and lead relevant staff development activities.

Candidates must have an advanced degree in public health, public policy, economics, sociology, or related fields, plus at least 15 years of experience conducting research and evaluation work on nutrition programs for Federal agencies. Candidates must possess subject matter expertise in at least one of the following programs (expertise in multiple programs preferred): SNAP, WIC, and/or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Candidates must have a successful track record in leading business development activities, including capture planning, pricing strategy, and proposal development. Candidates must possess exceptional writing and communication skills, work collaboratively in a close-knit team environment, and have a demonstrated track record of producing research and evaluation products of the highest quality.

Responsibilities

}  Update and execute Insight’s strategy for Food and Nutrition research

}  Oversee teams leading research and evaluation on Food and Nutrition topics

}  Build and manage relationships with Federal, State and Local agencies as well as universities and associations seeking Food and Nutrition research

}  Oversee business development activity for Food and Nutrition research

}  Monitor the quality and performance of all Food and Nutrition research projects

}  Mentor staff at all levels to ensure consistent and high-quality project delivery

}  Keep abreast of legislative and regulatory changes related to Food and Nutrition programs

Education

}  Master’s degree or PhD in public health, public policy, economics, sociology, or related fields

Qualifications

}  15 or more years’ experience leading high-quality research and evaluation for Federal clients examining relevant Food and Nutrition programs

}  Subject matter expertise in SNAP, WIC, and/or NSLP

}  Methodological expertise in data collection, food security measurement, policy analysis, policy simulation, and/or impact evaluation

}  Demonstrated experience mentoring staff to ensure successful project execution and professional growth

}  Demonstrated ability to oversee capture planning and business development activities successfully

}  Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated experience in public speaking

}  Experience managing a large portfolio of contracts

}  Experience supervising teams of staff

}  A strong track record of working collaboratively within and across organizations

Contact

EEO: All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Application Process: