Associate Director for Communications & Public Liaison
What you'd do
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers. The Office of the Director (OD) in the NIH is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison. This is a career Federal position in the Senior Executive Service. See the "Duties" section for a list of the major responsibilities.
Major duties
Duties and Responsibilities: The Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison (ADCPL) serves as principal advisor to the Director and Principal Deputy Director, NIH, on issues affecting the conduct of communication and public liaison activities at NIH. The ADCPL is responsible for planning, directing, and executing national health and research communication efforts, including national press conferences, other forms of media engagement, social media strategies, and the use of other communication tools to convey health information based on NIH research or other NIH activities of significant interest to the public, policymakers, and the research community. The ADCPL is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with high-level staff, including senior executives, corporate leaders, representatives of other Federal agencies, colleagues, universities, the media (foreign and domestic), specialized interest groups, and congressional offices to facilitate information exchange about NIH programs and in response to specific inquiries. The ADCPL is responsible for planning and executing special events on the NIH campus, including VIP visits, dedications, etc., and provides oversight of all official visits by heads of state, the Executive Branch, state and local elected officials, and influential members of the private sector. The ADCPL provides oversight into all issues arising in connection with the FOIA, establishing and implementing NIH policies; establishing procedures for documenting release or denial; preparation of appeals; liaison with PHS/DHHS FOIA staff; and the provision of FOIA training for grants and contracts employees at the NIH. The ADCPL leads the agency's media relations effort by serving as the NIH spokesperson on such issues, coordinating with DHHS and the White House on such activities, and representing the NIH Director in such interactions The ADCPL leads public outreach efforts by providing research-related information to the public and targeted audiences, including biomedical researchers, healthcare professionals, institutional leaders, and government officials, both independently and through subordinate staff. Manages an annual budget of approximately $28.6M and directs a staff of approximately 118 FTEs.
What you need to qualify
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume must include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume must demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1: Extensive experience leading organization-wide communications and public liaison functions within a research organization with a scientific, health, or biomedical focus, including developing and implementing creative solutions to enhance organizational mission, establish strategic results, and adapt to evolving stakeholder needs. TQ 2: Demonstrated ability to build and leverage partnerships across diverse groups and lead results-oriented teams to maximize operational efficiency through coordinated, streamlined management practices that deliver measurable outcomes. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or TQs. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: The OD, NIH seeks candidates who have a commitment to excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic organization. All competitive candidates for SES positions with the Federal Government must demonstrate leadership experience indicative of senior executive-level management capability. The Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison resides within the Office of Communications and Public Liaison in the Office of the Director, NIH, and reports directly to the Principal Deputy Director, NIH. Applicants must meet the requirements for the GS-1035 series as defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Standards Manual for General Schedule Positions, which is available at: OPM Qualifications Standards GS-1035 Website, and demonstrate in your two (2) page resume that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed above. It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments and results. Candidates must possess experience at the senior level (GS-14/15 level or equivalent) in the job-specific Technical Qualifications (TQs). The TQs measure the technical expertise required by this position and must be addressed within your 2-page resume. It is recommended that corresponding TQs be annotated in parenthesis within your 2-page resume. Political, Schedule C, Non-career SES Appointee*: In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you been or are you currently an employee in the Executive Branch serving on a political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointment? If yes, and you are selected through this vacancy announcement, you may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment. (Please confirm whether or not you have this experience within your 2-page resume) *A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an Assistant position to a top-level Federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)). A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations. A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director, OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties. NOTE: IF SELECTED, a Structured Interview will be used to certify the candidate by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB). If you are currently serving in a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you WILL NOT need to participate in a Structured Interview.
Before you apply
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