EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms.  EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The Health Promotion, Practice, and Innovation Portfolio, within EDC’s US Division, has an opening for a Mental Health Specialist (Associate Project Director), on the Violence & Trauma Team to be based in either the Waltham, MA or Washington, DC office (telecommuter until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted).

This is a full-time position which involves curriculum development and training in contextual areas of domestic violence, suicide prevention, trauma-informed approaches, and mental health resilience-building; project management (e.g. tracking of deliverables, reporting to funders, operations support across projects), communications support (drafting of manuscripts for publication, development and management of blogs and/or social media, and design/management of project websites), and tracking of the relevant policy environment. The role also includes significant provision of training and technical assistance (TTA), across projects focused on violence, trauma, suicide prevention, and mental health resilience through high-profile webinars, virtual events, and at times, in-person events.  Substantial background working in community settings and with populations experiencing domestic violence, mental health challenges, and/or suicide risk is necessary.  Specific expertise working within school systems, domestic violence agencies/shelters, and with law enforcement professionals is highly desired. Experience providing evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy approaches (DBT, CBT, ACT, etc) to clients is highly desired. Experience and interest in working with culturally diverse and under-resourced communities is essential.

The role will include domestically-based work and may include some internationally-based project work.  The ideal candidate will be a top-tier trainer/educator, an excellent writer (particularly with regard to curriculum development), and will bring significant experience in at least two of the three key content areas of domestic violence, school-based mental health, and mental wellness among police. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, organized, and interested in engaging in strategy discussions about new project work and key linkages to the current policy and funding environments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

The Mental Health Specialist (Associate Project Director):

• Assists Project Director with responsibilities for programmatic/technical success as well as for administrative/ viability of project(s)
• Leads production and management of written resources to meet project or program development implementation objectives including curriculum development, fact sheet and other written toolkit products
• Provides technical assistance and, at times, leads external webinars, conference presentations, and meetings with external partners
• Oversees design, production, and dissemination of high-profile resources for the field &/or other deliverables
• Offers conceptual and creative support to the Director and staff
• Supports business development activities, including assisting with proposal development and project implementation
• May lead virtual community of practice learning sessions with diverse audiences
• Coordinates project management & tracking of project deliverables
• Coordinates communications design, management (website, print, blog, and/or social media)
• Coordinates external relationships

The Mental Health Specialist (Associate Project Director):

• Promotes equity and opportunity in support of EDC’s commitment to diversity
• Collaborates with program participants or team members to achieve project or program objectives
• Helps to coordinate work of team leaders &/or project staff who may be located in field or remote sites
• Facilitates project teamwork and feedback exchanges
• Delivers trainings of high quality to various audiences
• Supports positive client, vendor, and funder relations
• May lead parts of a project or coordinate sections of larger projects
• May travel domestically and/or internationally to train, support project events, and/or present project findings at conferences (~3-5 trips/year (in line with EDC travel policy/COVID restrictions)
• Monitors political landscape and policy developments to inform ongoing project work and new business

This unique opportunity provides the excitement of working for a successful, high-growth, mission-driven organization that is a trusted, objective, and collaborative leader in the field of violence prevention. Candidates should have the following knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics:

• Project Management: Experience and ability to plan, lead, and manage projects, including the ability to take initiative and manage multiple time-sensitive tasks simultaneously and prioritize tasks appropriately in a highly fast-paced environment.
• Content Knowledge: Knowledge of violence and trauma clinical intervention approaches and of the interconnections and common factors between trauma, suicide, substance use, and violent behavior.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships with colleagues, partners, and funders over long distances. Demonstrated ability to understand and navigate relationships and sensitivities with individuals and teams from varying cultural backgrounds. Ability to authentically earn the confidence of a wide range of internal and external constituents.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Ability to take initiative and actively look for new opportunities for partnerships and business development.
• Communications: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Able to communicate effectively in supervisory relationships, with other colleagues, and with project partners and funders. Experience developing and reviewing written materials for outside audiences for publications, national level events, and for conference presentations.
• Collaboration: Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others across the team and the larger organization. Experience working with diverse audiences a plus.
• Personal Qualities: A professional who excels in a mission-driven, rapidly evolving environment. Someone who exhibits flexibility, enthusiasm, responsiveness, aptitude for details, consistency, creativity, strategic and analytical thinking, self-motivation, and problem solving skills, attentiveness to cultural differences, as well as the ability to be proactive and to produce quality work under very tight deadlines.
• Technology: Applicant embraces technology, and uses it to increase efficiency. Comfort exploring and testing new technologies.

In summation, this position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of training & experience preferred
• Specific training in mental health service provision necessary (clinical social work, counseling, psychology)
• With Bachelor’s degree, at least 5 years related experience – experience specifically related to violence and  trauma strongly preferred
• With Master’s degree, at least 4 years related experience, some of which must include curriculum development and training in at least 2 of the 3 areas: domestic violence, trauma, mental health
• Demonstrable organizational and troubleshooting skills
• Strong analytical skills and aptitude for details
• Experience and interest in working with culturally diverse and under-resourced communities is required.
• Substantial background working in community settings and with populations experiencing domestic violence, mental health challenges, and/or suicide risk is necessary. 
• Experience providing evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy approaches (DBT, CBT, ACT, etc) to clients is required.
• Specific expertise working within school systems, domestic violence agencies/shelters, and with law enforcement professionals is highly desired.

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume. The cover letter should be a succinct statement of interest to include highlights of relevant qualifications and experience for the role desired, and should not exceed two pages. The resume should not exceed three pages. Candidates selected for an interview may be asked to provide writing samples. Note: applications without requested items will not be considered.