Policy Associate

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), historically a group focused primarily on nutrition and food safety, is searching for a Policy Associate to advance our efforts to address pressing public health challenges beyond nutrition and food safety. In recent years, we’ve leveraged our expertise and resources to advocate for transparency and evidence-based policymaking in the COVID-19 pandemic, improve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA’s) regulation of medical products, and promote conflict-of-interest disclosures in research, and precision nutrition, among other topics. CSPI’s work in this realm aims to fight against misinformation and anti-science forces, and for scientific integrity, transparency, and agency accountability in U.S. public health policy.

We are searching for a science-savvy advocate to serve as a Policy Associate in CSPI’s Regulatory Transparency and Accountability Initiative. The Policy Associate will participate in advocacy campaigns related to a variety of topics, including: 1) Federal agency transparency; 2) Conflict-of-interest disclosures in research and policymaking; 3) Corporate and government accountability; and 4) Drug and medical device regulation.

This is a 12-month, grant-funded, full-time position with a likelihood of extension. The Policy Associate is a member of the Science Department and reports to the Senior Policy Scientist for Regulatory Transparency and Accountability. The position works in collaboration with colleagues across the organization engaged in activities related to these issues. The position is located in CSPI’s DC office, where we offer a hybrid work environment, or remotely within the United States.

About CSPI

CSPI, your food and health watchdog, is one of the nation’s leading public health advocacy organizations with an over 50-year record of fighting for science in the public interest. We’ve led efforts to win passage of many state and local policies to improve school foods, require calories on chain restaurant menu boards, and remove sugary drinks from children’s menus. National policy successes include the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act; Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act; Food Safety Modernization Act; and Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. The Regulatory Transparency and Accountability team was a major force behind a recent rule from the FDA to regulate laboratory-developed tests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Draft letters, fact sheets, reports, comment letters, petitions, webpages, blogs, and other written materials in support of the initiative’s campaigns.
• Conduct policy research, including tracking federal bills, agency activities, and reviewing regulatory comments to dockets.
• Conduct scientific literature reviews to inform policy positions and support campaigns.
• Collect primary or secondary data to complete research projects, including some suitable for publication in peer-reviewed literature.
• Mobilize and coordinate support for campaigns from organizations, academics, health professionals, CSPI members, and other concerned citizens.
• Work with the Senior Policy Scientist for Regulatory Transparency and Accountability to refine a vision and work plan for the initiative that encompasses scientific integrity, transparency, and agency accountability.
• Manage ongoing and new projects as needed.
• Contribute to Science Department activities.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate would possess:

• Advanced degree in epidemiology or other public health discipline, such as an MPH.
• Experience with public health policy and/or advocacy, particularly related to FDA regulation of drugs, devices, or other products unrelated to food
• Experience interpreting scientific public health research, including identifying the appropriateness of statistical methods, key results, and limitations.
• Experience translating research findings for various audiences (including colleagues, policymakers, journalists, and the public).
• Strong written communication skills, and ability to produce high-quality written materials that are ready for public consumption with minimal editing.
• Skills in multitasking and adapting in a fast-paced environment, with a track record of successfully managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to transparency, accuracy, and scientific rigor in previous work.
• Experience working across teams in a positive, inclusive, collaborative, and strategic organizational culture.
• Interest and commitment to CSPI’s work and mission and embracing of CSPI’s core values (described below).
• Demonstrated experience taking initiative, exercising good judgment, and using diplomacy and discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and research databases, such as PubMed.

CSPI on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

CSPI is committed to including and valuing diverse voices and fostering a culture that ensures all staff feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to be their best selves. In that spirit, each of us is committed to putting in constant work to live up to our organization’s core values:

• We are inclusive. We seek to foster an environment where all staff feel a sense of belonging and are affirmed. We are not looking for everyone to think and look the same. We actively welcome and value staff with different experiences, backgrounds, attributes, abilities, and perspectives.
• We are open. We are honest and direct in how we communicate with each other in order to build trust and integrity within our organization.
• We are accountable. We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions.
• We are kind. We communicate and treat one another in a respectful, generous, considerate, and compassionate way.
• We are collaborative. We work together for the common good and shared success.

As a public health organization, CSPI makes efforts to maintain a safe workplace for employees and visitors. We require all employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are eligible, and the vaccine is available to them. Proof of vaccination is required during the onboarding process.