Regional Program Officer

Vital Strategies is a global public health organization working in more than 80 countries to strengthen public health systems and address leading causes of illness, injury, and death. Our priorities include noncommunicable disease prevention, tobacco control, road safety, food policy, environmental health, and data for health, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries and cities.

About the Program

The Overdose Prevention Program partners with U.S. states, Tribal Nations, and Native 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. Our work spans neighborhood, municipal, county, state, and Tribal levels, supporting sustainable public health solutions responsive to local needs. Program staff are organized into multidisciplinary regional teams, each managing a portfolio of states or Native communities, and collaborate with Operations, Communications, Program Evaluation & Knowledge Management, and Legal & Policy teams.

Purpose

The Program Officer provides cross-cutting administrative and operational support to link program strategy and day-to-day execution, ensuring high-priority workstreams move forward by facilitating effective information flow. This is a new, full-time role for the Overdose Prevention program, preferably based in the New York City metro area, though other U.S. locations (North Carolina, New Jersey, Kentucky, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Nevada, or Washington state) may be considered.

Reporting to a Director, the Program Officer primarily supports three regional teams and assists with meeting logistics and communications for external partners, grantees, and government stakeholders. The role includes participation in an internal Community of Practice led by the Senior Manager, Operations.

Responsibilities

• Programmatic and Content Support:
  • Format, design, and refine presentations, briefs, one-pagers, and other materials communicating program strategies, overdose prevention interventions, and technical content for internal and external audiences.
  • Maintain working knowledge of OPP’s core interventions—including harm reduction, treatment access, naloxone distribution, and related strategies—to support accurate content development.
  • Format and organize reports, summaries, toolkits, and other knowledge products in coordination with Program Evaluation & Knowledge Management and regional staff.
• Meeting Coordination and Facilitation Support:
  • Plan, schedule, and coordinate high-level internal and external meetings, convenings, trainings, site visits, and ad hoc events.
  • Prepare agendas, compile pre-read materials, and communicate with participants.
  • Set up and manage technology and virtual meeting platforms.
  • Liaise with Operations to coordinate travel.
  • Document meeting proceedings, synthesize key decisions and action items, and disseminate follow-up steps.
  • Track and follow up on action items.
• Team Coordination:
  • Maintain shared project trackers and team calendars, flagging deadlines and supporting teams in staying on track.
  • Facilitate complex scheduling with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Generate reports for funding proposals and stakeholder meetings.
  • Coordinate recruitment and onboarding processes with other departments.
• Information Management and Dissemination:
  • Develop and maintain a library of prior presentations and program resources.
  • Categorize, organize, and update shared files and databases to ensure accessibility.
  • Compile and disseminate program materials, updates, and resources to internal teams, grantees, and external partners.
• Procurement Support:
  • Draft Scopes of Work for independent contractor and service provider agreements for regional teams.
  • Review contract information for completeness and compliance with procurement policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Working knowledge of community-facing program implementation to support content development and team coordination.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to track and advance multiple workstreams.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, including producing professional-quality materials and meeting documentation.
  • Proficiency in designing presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides); graphic design or data visualization experience a plus.
  • Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and maintain strong attention to detail.
  • Capacity to learn new software tools (e.g., Docusign CLM, NetSuite, AirTable).
  • Ability to work collaboratively and autonomously, adapt to new information, and navigate diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
  • Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
• Experience: Minimum of five years in program coordination, public health, policy, or a related field. Experience supporting senior-level staff and managing multiple concurrent priorities preferred.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role based in the New York City area, requiring two days per week in-office and the remainder remote. Occasional travel between partner offices in the NYC area may be required. Up to 5% domestic travel may be needed for meetings.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $80,000 USD.