The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking an innovative leader to serve in the dual position as the Director of the trans-NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-Term) Initiative: Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Program and as Associate Director for Tribal Affairs. The position is in the Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research (DESPR) for supervision, located in Rockville, MD, and reports directly to the NIDA Director for the Associate Director component.
NIDA's mission is to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug misuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components. The first is the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination of research results to improve practice and inform policy related to drug misuse and addiction.
The N CREW Program is NIH’s largest planned investment in Tribal and American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) community research to date, funded through the HEAL Initiative ($291 million over 7 years, 20 planned Other Transaction Authority (OTA) awards, and use of other mechanisms to attain Program goals). This initiative bolsters research across NIH to improve prevention and treatment for opioid misuse and addiction, and pain management, including understanding and treating pain. The N Crew Program supports Tribes and Native American Serving Organizations (T/NASOs) to conduct locally prioritized research to address overdose, substance use, and pain, including related factors such as mental health and wellness. N CREW will have a wide-ranging impact, setting a precedent for programs across NIH.
The N CREW Program Director provides scientific leadership, policy interpretation, and direction for the highly complex, trans-NIH, public-facing N CREW Program, including planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of progress and impact.
The incumbent will articulate on behalf of NIDA and participating Institutes/Centers (ICs) the scientific priorities and also engagement strategies and policy application within this sphere. This position requires representation on the federal side by an appropriately senior official who possesses a deep and specific understanding of Tribal sovereignty, relevant policies, memoranda, and AI/AN/NH community preferences, as well as someone who has the credibility and earned trust of the community combined with a deep understanding of NIH policies and processes.
The incumbent will also serve as senior advisor to the NIDA Director as the NIDA Associate Director for Tribal Affairs. The Associate Director provides leadership and direction on all facets of AI/AN/NH drug addiction research to lead and integrate this work across NIDA as well as across NIH, including the NIH OD Tribal Health Research Office (THRO), other federal agencies, AI/AN constituent national and international organizations, AI/AN extramural researchers, T/NASOs, all of which have vested interests and strong voices in engaging with the NIH. The N CREW Director and Associate Director for Tribal Affairs dual position include inextricably intertwined and unique components and constituencies that must be integrated and aligned, increasing the complexity and impact of the position beyond standard single funding program positions in this crucial area for NIDA and NIH.
HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.
If selected, you may be subject to a two-year trial period under this appointment.
HHS AND NIH ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
