Secretariat

SUMMARY

The International Society for Urban Health seeks a dynamic and experienced Executive Director to provide leadership in the next phase of its development as the only global non- governmental organization solely focused on addressing the broad determinants of urban health and health inequity.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of a strategic plan and setting and implementing priorities to build a strong, effective and sustainable organization that can work across sectors to bring evidence to advocacy for changes that advance the health of cities worldwide. Competitive candidates will have demonstrated experience in leading the successful growth and development of an organization and a track record of securing successful funding from diverse sources.

The International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) was founded by The New York Academy of Medicine in 2002. It has become the only global non-governmental organization solely focused on advancing urban health and health equity by addressing the broader determinants of health. Through its annual global conference and program activities, the ISUH serves as a platform for interdisciplinary academic researchers and educators, practitioners and policymakers from multiple sectors in government and the private sector – NGOs and business – to learn from each other and advance evidence and action that improves urban health. ISUH has recently become an independent Non-Governmental Organization (501c3) and supported by a small secretariat and Panorama Global as its fiscal intermediary providing administrative and financial support services seeks a dynamic and entrepreneurial executive to advance its policy and program agenda at this critical time in global health.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Board Relations: Works with the Board in order to fulfill the organization’s mission and goals:

Responsible for providing executive leadership for the ISUH in a manner that supports and enhances the achievement of the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
Responsible for overseeing strategic planning and implementation to ensure that ISUH can successfully fulfill its mission into the future.
Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all programmatic, financial and administrative information necessary for the Board to meet its legal responsibilities as defined in the ISUH by-laws and to advance the success of ISUH.
Provides support to the Board of Directors, its Expert Advisory Council and committees and working groups in meeting their responsibilities and contributing effectively to advancing the growth and positive impact of ISUH.

2. Organizational Leadership: Financial and Performance Management

Serves as ISUH lead with the designated fiscal intermediary to manage the annual budget, human resources policies and administrative procedures in compliance with ISUH by-laws and U.S. nonprofit governance and regulations.

Responsible for the hiring, retention and effective supervision of competent, qualified staff for the ISUH Secretariat.

Responsible for effective implementation and oversight of existing programs, including ISUH’s annual global conference, the Botnar Foundation grant to ISUH,Healthy Cities for Adolescents and the development and implementation of new ISUH activities, convenings, and policy and research programs that advance the organization’s mission.
Develops and manages resources to ensure the financial health and growth of the organization.

Works with the Board to develop and oversee implementation of a fundraising plan to support and advance urban health research and policy development.

Leads work with the Board and other partners to secure the resources needed to build ISUH’s capacity and enhance its global impact.

3. Communications and Reputation Building

Develops and leads the implementation of a communications plan for approval by the Board that engages Board members, their networks, partners and ISUH members to assure the most effective use of ISUH assets in its implementation.
Responsible for the enhancement of ISUH’s visibility and impact by being active and visible in the global community.

Responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships with other global and national professional organizations civil society, and businesses across all sectors influencing the health of people in cities.

Serves as ISUH’s primary spokesperson to the membership, constituents, other comparable and partner organizations, global supporters, and public.

QUALIFICATIONS

Doctorate level (e.g., Ph.D., DrPH, MD) degree in a field related to population health, urban health and development, urban planning and governance, and /or advancing the broad determinants of health. Basic familiarity with the law (international law, business law, corporate law) might be an asset.

Ten or more years in progressively senior management positions in NGO, government or business sector organization in international health or related sector with demonstrated skills in staff and financial management and development and working with and supporting Boards of Directors
Proven leadership and demonstrated entrepreneurship, fundraising sing, and advocacy

Experience in advancing health and health equity within any of multiple sectors influencing the broad determinants of urban health
Experience working in the international program and/or policy environment with UN, governmental, non-governmental or business organizations, with multi- country experiences.

Strong written and oral communication skills and comfort with public speaking to a global audience and conversations/negotiations with high-level partners and policymakers to explain and promote the role of ISUH in advancing urban health
Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills that promote effective collaboration and strong motivation for action to support ISUH staff, members, Board, volunteers, and partners.
Knowledge of US and international fundraising strategies and donor engagement o Ability/willingness to travel.

Fluency in English is required. However, knowledge of other languages (French and/or Spanish) is an advantage.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The ISUH secretariat is based in NYC and this location is preferred for the Executive Director, but applicants will be considered who work remotely with frequent periods of time spent in NYC. Additionally, the Executive Director will be expected to travel frequently to represent the ISUH at international conferences as well as meetings with potential funders and partner organizations.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a contract position for two years, renewable upon satisfaction performance.

COMPENSATION

The selected candidate will receive remuneration competitive with comparable global organizations and consistent with the applicant’s professional experience. Annual review for bonus opportunities will be available depending on the overall performance and financial growth of ISUH.

TO APPLY:

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume by email to: The Recruitment Committee at this address: ed.recruitment2@gmail.com Please include “ISUH Executive Director” in the email subject heading.

DEADLINE:

All applications must be received by March 31, 2020 (12:59 pm, New York Times). Applications sent after this deadline will be rejected. The ISUH is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Dr. Boufford is immediate past President of The New York Academy of Medicine. Since January 1, 2018, she is Clinical Professor of Global Public Health at the College of Global Public Health at New York University where she is also Professor of Public Service, Health Policy and Management at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine. She served as Dean of the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University from June 1997 to November 2002. Prior to that, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from November 1993 to January 1997, and as Acting Assistant Secretary from January 1997 to May 1997. While at HHS, she was the U.S. representative on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) from 1994–1997. She served in a variety of senior positions and as President of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal system in the United States, from December 1985 until October 1989. Dr. Boufford was awarded a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship at the Institute of Medicine in Washington, DC for 1979–1980. She currently serves on the boards of the United Hospital Fund and the Health Effects Institute. She was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 1992 and served on its Board on Global Health and Board on African Science Academy Development. She served two four year terms as the Foreign Secretary of the IOM between 2010 and 2014 and was elected to membership for the National Academy of Public Administration in 2015. She received Honorary Doctorate of Science degrees from the State University of New York, Brooklyn, (1992), New York Medical College, (2007), Pace University, (2011) and Toledo University, (2012). She has been a Fellow of The New York Academy of Medicine since 1988 and a Trustee since 2004. Dr. Boufford attended Wellesley College for two years and received her BA (Psychology) magna cum laude from the University of Michigan, and her MD, with distinction, from the University of Michigan Medical School. She is Board Certified in pediatrics.