CIPWIC Research Project Manager (Temporary, Full-time)

The National WIC Association (NWA), the nonprofit education and advocacy voice for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), has received $14.9 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) via a four-year cooperative agreement to modernize WIC’s Management Information System (MIS), maximizing the program’s potential to improve health outcomes for current and future participants.

The MIS is the backbone of WIC’s administrative, assessment, and reporting functions. It is responsible for collecting and managing a wide array of data on WIC families, covering nearly all aspects of the program. Components of MIS include appointment scheduling, eligibility checks, medical/nutrition assessments, and benefit issuance. Along with partner organizations Nava and Code for America, each of which brings extensive technical experience in modernizing federal program services and delivery, NWA will create a modernized MIS, enabling WIC agencies to operate more efficiently and better serve participants and staff.

Under the cooperative agreement, NWA and its partners will assess the current WIC MIS landscape, plan and execute transitional improvements, develop a future state MIS strategy, and support USDA. NWA has an immediate opening for a Research Project Manager (Temporary, Full-time).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research Project Manager is responsible for managing NWA’s activities related to the WIC Management Information System (MIS) project grant. Specifically, the position will assist with activities related to the WIC MIS Modernization Strategy Project, a USDA cooperative agreement with the National WIC Association in partnership with the Nava Public Benefit Corporation and Code for America (CfA). The position is temporary and set to end on September 20, 2028. The responsibilities of the position include:

1. Serve as a subject matter expert, thought leader and point person engaged in day-to-day work with project partners to provide WIC expertise
2. Develop surveys and analyze survey results in various formats to meet the educational needs of NWA and WIC diverse stakeholders and partners
3. Engage in project management ceremonies, sprint planning, daily standups
4. Work in collaboration with project lead to troubleshoot project-related issues
5. Provide support and expertise during discovery research to assess current WIC MIS, including developing and disseminating surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group
6. Participate in the drafting and finalization of landscape report based on the analysis;
7. Assist in the development of technical assistance plans and materials
8. Coordinate engagement and obtain feedback from State, Local, and Intertribal WIC Agencies, NWA committees and taskforces, and other stakeholders
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Possesses a high level of knowledge of WIC Management Information System (MIS).
• WIC experience is highly preferred.
• Holds a Bachelor of Science, Public Health, or Nutrition or other relevant degree and 5+ years of experience in public policy, community programs, or communications related to public health/food access. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience managing research projects from concept to publication.
• Must be able to organize and manage work effectively, independently, and with a team.
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Immense commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, including in the design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of research and evaluation.
• Strong project management skills. Project management certification is a plus.
• Ability to be fluid and flexible and manage multiple tasks and competing priorities.