Staff
Executive Director - Call for applications
FOR THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Opening of applications: March 1st, 2020
Closing of applications: March 31st, 2020
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.
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 line.
Joyati Das - Program Director (HCA)
The Botnar Healthy Cities for Adolescents Program
Ms Joyati Das is the Program Director appointed for the BOTNAR Healthy Cities for Adolescents Program. She is a senior international development professional, thought leader and human rights advocate with specialization in child rights and urbanisation issues. Holding master degrees in Sociology and Communications, Joyati brings more than 20 years of experience in humanitarian response and multi-regional development program management, generating evidence to strengthen urban practice, development theory and research, strategy and policy. Her area of interest and research includes issues such as migration, mobility, conflict and climate refugees, governance, security of tenure and public space, secondary cities, education, protection, health and well-being that links to liveability.
Joyati is the elected co-chair of General Assembly of Partners (GAP), a stakeholder engagement platform set up to promote SDGs and the New Urban Agenda. Having served on several UN platforms representing young people’s issues for Habitat III, she has contributed to several media and journal articles promoting social justice, equity and the rights of young people. For more information, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyati-das-9106b520/
Leadership
Giselle Sebag, MPH, LEED AP — Executive Director
Giselle Sebag is Executive Director of the International Society for Urban Health. She is a globally recognized urban health leader with 15 years of experience advising governments, multilaterals, NGOs and private sector companies to develop sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities that promote and enhance resident health.
Prior to joining the International Society for Urban Health, Giselle was a public sector consultant at Bloomberg Associates, where she advised cities developing evidence-based urban health solutions with the aim of improving the lives of the greatest number of citizens. Previously, Giselle was the Vice President of Programs at the Center for Active Design (CfAD), where she oversaw the development, planning and implementation of innovative programs such as Fitwel, a leading certification system committed to building health for all, developed in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement environmental design and operational changes that support healthier workplaces, homes and communities. Prior to that, Giselle was Head of the Built Environment portfolio at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) where she selected, managed key relationships with, and advised Fortune 500 companies, governments, multilaterals, philanthropic foundations and NGOs in strategic planning, partnership building and evaluation of their healthy cities ‘Commitments to Action.’
Giselle holds a Master's of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, joint M.Sc. degrees in international cooperation and urban development from the Technische Universität Darmstadt and international cooperation in sustainable emergency architecture from the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, and bachelor's degrees in architecture and government from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Architecture (UTSOA) and College of Liberal Arts.
Team
Anna Abenhaim, MA — Communications, Outreach & Partnerships
A creative urban planner, project manager and communication specialist, Anna has lived in nearly 10 different cities over the past 10 years. She is passionate about cities, their streets, their cultures and their people. She is enthusiastic about urban design and a fervent believer that public spaces are the backbone of our cities worldwide and should be at the heart of city building and planning today. Anna has a Masters in International Public Management from Sciences Po Paris with a major in Global Health; she also studied Geography and Urban Studies at the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. Anna has worked for the United Nations; the Council of Europe; the French government; and in several think tanks and NGOs across the world, such as The Young Foundation or Future Cape Town. A self-taught chef, Anna currently divides her time between her passion for cities and her love for cooking.
Lia Brum, MSc — ACE Project Manager
A versatile and multilingual professional with a 15-year career in international nonprofits, Lia is an energetic and detail-oriented team player with critical thinking and strategic vision. Her skills encompass project management, content editing, event organization, public speaking, fundraising, procurement, and reporting.
Prior to joining the International Society for Urban Health, Lia worked for the World Association of the Major Metropolises, where she managed knowledge exchange projects and strengthened her capacities to liaise with various stakeholders, most notably mayors, senior officials and technical staff of major cities and metropolitan areas worldwide. Her diverse professional background is complemented by previous experience in biodiversity conservation finance, environmental corporate responsibility, educational media, and scientific dissemination.
Lia holds joint M.Sc. degrees in international cooperation and urban development from the Technische Universität Darmstadt and international cooperation in sustainable emergency architecture from the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, and bachelor's degrees in Journalism (UFRJ, Brazil) and International Relations (PUC-Rio, Brazil), as well as complementary education in environmental management (UFRJ, Brazil) and business (Harvard Business School).
Camilla Calamandrei, MA — ACE Storytelling and Content Development
Camilla leads story telling and content development for the Accelerating City Equity (ACE) program telling inspiring stories of human-centered, cost effective, sustainable development projects around the world that improve health and well-being, decrease environmental damage, and promote equity.
Camilla is an award-winning director/producer of independent feature documentaries (PBS, Animal Planet, Planet Green), and a content development specialist in public programs, educational coursework, and interactive media for children. (The Jim Henson Company, LEGO, and Scholastic).
Camilla was previously Program Manager for CGI America (Clinton Foundation) and Head of Programs for Urban Green Council. MA, Documentary Film Production, Stanford University. BA, Literature, Brown University.
Sidney Caccioppoli — International Conference on Urban Health Coordinator
Sidney Caccioppoli earned a BA from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. She is passionate about cities and culture and is motivated to help create healthier and more equitable cities worldwide. In her role at the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), Sidney coordinates the International Conference on Urban Health and provides administrative support to the Executive Director and staff. In her free time, she enjoys visiting museums and practicing jiu-jitsu.
Nishita Dsouza, MPH, PhD — ACE Project Research Collaborator
Nishita (Nishi) Dsouza is a Project Research Collaborator of the Accelerating City Equity (ACE) Project of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH). She is a researcher dedicated to promoting livable and equitable communities, with extensive experience in academic, nonprofit, and public sector settings on projects related to built environment and health, access to health and social care, and community-engaged research. Dr. Dsouza currently works at the Social Intervention Group (SIG) at the Columbia School of Social Work. Dr. Dsouza has a B.S. in Human Science from Georgetown University, an M.P.H specialized in Urban Design from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, and a Ph.D. in Community Health and Prevention from the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University.
Gina Gonzales, MPH — Program Assistant
Gina Gonzales is a Program Administrator in the Global Health Program at New York University School of Global Public Health. She focuses on urban health curriculum development and is the coordinator of The Global Action for Urban Health Lab. In addition to her role at NYU, Gina provides administrative support to The International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) where she assists in the coordination of the annual International Conference on Urban Health and served as the North America Regional Co-Coordinator for a WHO Global Mapping Project of Urban Health Research and Stakeholders. Gina received her MPH in Epidemiology in 2019 at NYU School of Global Public Health.
Camille Medema, MPH, BSN RN — Urban Health Research Collaborator
Araliya Ming Senerat, MPH, PMP — Research Associate
Araliya Ming Senerat, MPH, PMP is a public health professional who specializes in the intersection of built environment and health research. Araliya earned an MPH degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and holds a BSc in Health Studies, Co-operative Program from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. Before joining the ISUH, she worked at the Well Living Lab assisting in the development and execution of indoor environment and physiology research studies and at ARCHIVE Global implementing a needs assessment in Cameroon to understand the current sanitation infrastructure. She also has worked at the Center for Active Design conducting literature reviews for Fitwel® for Multifamily Residential, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai writing research publications on the impact of active design features, and at the Women’s Strength Coalition organizing powerlifting meets to raise funds for women and LGBTQ organizations. Before earning her master’s degree, Araliya worked in New York, Toronto, Vancouver, and Singapore. She has experience in health services, cancer, and obesity research.
Sarah Ruel-Bergeron, RA – Director of Strategic Initiatives & Healthy Housing
Patrin Watanatada, MA – Distilling and Sharing Insights on Accelerating City Equity
Patrin leads the development of the Accelerating City Equity (ACE) assessment framework, our core framework for distilling what’s working around the world to drive equity in sustainable urban development. She also collaborates with the ACE team on tools and content to share these insights with practitioners.
Patrin is an independent consultant working with nonprofits, foundations, and creative businesses to use ideas to spark equitable cross-sector change. She was previously the first knowledge for policy director at the Bernard van Leer Foundation, where she helped develop their award-winning Urban95 programme to link urban planning and healthy early childhoods. Patrin has also worked in social change communications (at Fenton), strategy consulting (at SustainAbility and Oliver Wyman), and in a biomass energy start-up in Thailand.
Patrin serves on the board of Capita, a think tank working to build a future where all children and families flourish. She is involved with her local anti-racism and climate action groups, and has become passionate about community-led change.
Aimee Watson, MSc — Operations & Wellbeing Director
Aimee Watson is the Director of Operations at the International Society for Urban Health. She has over 15 years’ experience spread across corporate sustainability consultancy, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, global event production and entrepreneurial ventures. She’s driven to work for intelligent organisations, with integrity, to create positive and lasting change for our planet and people.
Aimee guides ISUH’s smooth daily operations, supports the cultivation of key internal and external stakeholder relationships and oversees the financial strategy.
Prior to working with ISUH Aimee has held positions of CEO for Beloved Company, Sales Director for RAW bottles, Analyst and Consultant for SustainAbility (ERM), Sustainable Product Specialist for Lululemon Inc., Conference Producer for Globe Series ASEAM, Program Manager for British Council and Research Assistant at the Economist.
She holds a BA Hons in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, an MSc in International Development, Trade and Industry (both University of Manchester) as well as a Master’s Certificate in Sustainable Value Chains (University of Cambridge). She’s also a certified Holistic Coach, Yoga and Meditation Teacher.
ISUH: Bringing health into all aspects of the Urban Dialog
ISUH is the only global professional organization in the world that focuses exclusively on the broad determinants of urban health. Your membership can help us develop and sustain ISUH as an independent voice of our global, transdisciplinary members and strategic partners for health equity in urban settings.
