Special Olympics
Position Summary
The incumbent will serve as a catalyst for successful implementation of Special Olympics International (SOI) health projects focused within the North American Region (SONA), including SO Programs in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Special Olympics International (SOI) is an NGO providing sports training and competition to more than 5 million people with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) in over 170 countries. Best known for its engagement around sports, SOI also has a robust health team with a global health strategy directed towards promoting equity and reducing health disparities for the 5 million athletes and 80 million people with IDD around the world through four strategic activities:
Prevention activities, including early intervention, fitness and health promotion activities. Assessment activities, including health screenings and facilitation of care coordination. Training health care and Public Health workforce using evidence-based learning activities. Health systems reform through partnerships with providers and government organizations and promoting strong self-advocacy.
Embedded in all these efforts is a mission to employ a “nothing about us without us” mentality which requires the meaningful engagement of our athletes. All this work is currently funded through Federal and NGO philanthropic grant awards that require a substantial amount of management. The activities described are primarily led by the Special Olympics Programs at the state and local level. It is the job of the SONA Health team to support their success.
Primary Responsibilities
Athlete Engagement (40%): Support SONA IDD-Inclusive Health Systems work by facilitating meaningful athlete leadership, activation, and engagement opportunities resulting from efforts to build more IDD inclusive health systems. Coordinate and lead SONA Health Messenger Trainings. Engage with other staff at SONA and Headquarters (HQ) to advance the evolution of Health Messenger training, programming and engagement opportunities. Collaborate with HQ to facilitate Special Olympics Programs’ involvement in the Standardized Patient program. Collaborate with HQ Health Research and Evaluation team on athlete engagement in their work (Allstar, Can You Hear Me Now, SO Link, etc.). Collaborate with SONA Communications Team to amplify Health Messenger activities and impact.
Grant Management (30%): Manage the process within SONA Health for the preliminary review of the Healthy Communities Impact Grants applications. Support success of Programs in all required reporting.
Program Support (20%): IDD-Inclusive Health Systems programming support.
Program Support (5%): Identify and Support opportunities for Program-to-Program learning.
Program Support (5%): Serve as the primary point of contact for a cohort of Special Olympics Programs at the state (USA), provincial (Canadian), or national (Caribbean) level.
Required Qualifications
A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience plus Five to Seven years of relevant work experience. Experience and/or coursework in the area of Public Health is a plus.
Previous experience engaging people with IDD.
Capable of high levels of consistency, accuracy, professional written and verbal communication, and excellent attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a range of individuals from diverse cultures and professional backgrounds.
Proficiency with Microsoft office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and strength in learning new technologies and programs.
Ability to work independently, as well as in a group.
Desired Qualifications
MPH degree or other master’s degree in a closely related field.
Experience engaging Special Olympics Athletes.
Experience managing grants.
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Special Olympics International (SOI) is an NGO providing sports training and competition to more than 5 million people with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) in over 170 countries. Best known for its engagement around sports, SOI also has a robust health team with a global health strategy directed towards promoting equity and reducing health disparities for the 5 million athletes and 80 million people with IDD around the world through four strategic activities:
Prevention activities, including early intervention, fitness and health promotion activities. Assessment activities, including health screenings and facilitation of care coordination. Training health care and Public Health workforce using evidence-based learning activities. Health systems reform through partnerships with providers and government organizations and promoting strong self-advocacy.
Embedded in all these efforts is a mission to employ a “nothing about us without us” mentality which requires the meaningful engagement of our athletes. All this work is currently funded through Federal and NGO philanthropic grant awards that require a substantial amount of management. The activities described are primarily led by the Special Olympics Programs at the state and local level. It is the job of the SONA Health team to support their success.
Primary Responsibilities
Athlete Engagement (40%): Support SONA IDD-Inclusive Health Systems work by facilitating meaningful athlete leadership, activation, and engagement opportunities resulting from efforts to build more IDD inclusive health systems. Coordinate and lead SONA Health Messenger Trainings. Engage with other staff at SONA and Headquarters (HQ) to advance the evolution of Health Messenger training, programming and engagement opportunities. Collaborate with HQ to facilitate Special Olympics Programs’ involvement in the Standardized Patient program. Collaborate with HQ Health Research and Evaluation team on athlete engagement in their work (Allstar, Can You Hear Me Now, SO Link, etc.). Collaborate with SONA Communications Team to amplify Health Messenger activities and impact.
Grant Management (30%): Manage the process within SONA Health for the preliminary review of the Healthy Communities Impact Grants applications. Support success of Programs in all required reporting.
Program Support (20%): IDD-Inclusive Health Systems programming support.
Program Support (5%): Identify and Support opportunities for Program-to-Program learning.
Program Support (5%): Serve as the primary point of contact for a cohort of Special Olympics Programs at the state (USA), provincial (Canadian), or national (Caribbean) level.
Required Qualifications
A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience plus Five to Seven years of relevant work experience. Experience and/or coursework in the area of Public Health is a plus.
Previous experience engaging people with IDD.
Capable of high levels of consistency, accuracy, professional written and verbal communication, and excellent attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a range of individuals from diverse cultures and professional backgrounds.
Proficiency with Microsoft office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and strength in learning new technologies and programs.
Ability to work independently, as well as in a group.
Desired Qualifications
MPH degree or other master’s degree in a closely related field.
Experience engaging Special Olympics Athletes.
Experience managing grants.
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