The Carter Center: Sr. Program Associate, Public Policy - Mental Health Program
Posted 2025-08-15
Remote, USA
Full Time
Immediate Start
About the position
The Senior Program Associate for the Mental Health Program at The Carter Center plays a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and coordinating domestic behavioral health policy initiatives. This position is integral to the operations of the Mental Health Program, which is dedicated to promoting awareness about mental health issues, informing public policy, achieving equity in mental health care, and reducing stigma and discrimination against individuals with mental illnesses. The Senior Program Associate will oversee key programming efforts focusing on Parity, School Based Behavioral Health, and Older Adult Behavioral Health across Georgia and several other states. In this role, the Senior Program Associate will collaborate with various programs within the Mental Health Program and other Carter Center initiatives, ensuring a cohesive approach to mental health advocacy and policy development. Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Mental Health, the position requires a strong commitment to the mission of The Carter Center, which is to improve lives through the promotion of human rights and the alleviation of human suffering. The role may involve some domestic travel to support program initiatives and engage with stakeholders across the country. The Senior Program Associate will be responsible for managing work plans that align with program goals and objectives, making critical decisions based on operational analyses, and potentially overseeing the program's budget and financial management. This position also includes a leadership role in program-related committees, the development of fundraising initiatives, and serving as a liaison with external organizations. The Senior Program Associate will ensure compliance with regulations through accurate reporting and may supervise staff as needed. Overall, this role is essential for advancing the Mental Health Program's objectives and enhancing the impact of its initiatives.
Responsibilities
• Designs, implements, and coordinates operational facets of the domestic behavioral health policy initiatives.
,
• Manages work plans to accomplish program goals and objectives, implementing changes for improvement and efficiency.
,
• Makes decisions based on critical analyses of operational/statistical reports, financial data, and budget forecasts.
,
• Plans, administers, or monitors the program's budget, financial management, and/or grants.
,
• Takes a leadership role on program-related committees and teams.
,
• Develops fundraising initiatives, including researching funding sources and writing grant proposals.
,
• Conducts program research and ensures compliance with regulations through accurate reporting.
,
• Serves as a liaison with other groups and organizations, and may present at conferences or university functions.
,
• Supervises staff as needed and ensures accurate program records are maintained.
,
• Performs related responsibilities as required.
Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in a field related to specified program areas.
,
• Four years of related program management experience, or equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
,
• Master's degree in a Mental Health related field, public policy, public administration, or a related field (preferred).
,
• Several years of program-related and/or policy analysis experience (preferred).
,
• Experience in federal, state, or local public policy and program development, focusing on social services, social justice, or mental health public policy (preferred).
,
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.
,
• Direct experience working in or advocating before the Georgia state legislature (preferred).
,
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to execute at a high level, both independently and as part of a team.
,
• Proficiency with social media, project management software, and content management systems.
Nice-to-haves
• Experience in mental health advocacy or policy development.
,
• Familiarity with grant writing and fundraising strategies.
,
• Knowledge of behavioral health issues and public policy frameworks.
Benefits
• Flexible work schedule with the opportunity to work from home regularly.
,
• Access to professional development opportunities.
,
• Supportive work environment that values diversity and inclusion. Apply tot his job
The Senior Program Associate for the Mental Health Program at The Carter Center plays a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and coordinating domestic behavioral health policy initiatives. This position is integral to the operations of the Mental Health Program, which is dedicated to promoting awareness about mental health issues, informing public policy, achieving equity in mental health care, and reducing stigma and discrimination against individuals with mental illnesses. The Senior Program Associate will oversee key programming efforts focusing on Parity, School Based Behavioral Health, and Older Adult Behavioral Health across Georgia and several other states. In this role, the Senior Program Associate will collaborate with various programs within the Mental Health Program and other Carter Center initiatives, ensuring a cohesive approach to mental health advocacy and policy development. Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Mental Health, the position requires a strong commitment to the mission of The Carter Center, which is to improve lives through the promotion of human rights and the alleviation of human suffering. The role may involve some domestic travel to support program initiatives and engage with stakeholders across the country. The Senior Program Associate will be responsible for managing work plans that align with program goals and objectives, making critical decisions based on operational analyses, and potentially overseeing the program's budget and financial management. This position also includes a leadership role in program-related committees, the development of fundraising initiatives, and serving as a liaison with external organizations. The Senior Program Associate will ensure compliance with regulations through accurate reporting and may supervise staff as needed. Overall, this role is essential for advancing the Mental Health Program's objectives and enhancing the impact of its initiatives.
Responsibilities
• Designs, implements, and coordinates operational facets of the domestic behavioral health policy initiatives.
,
• Manages work plans to accomplish program goals and objectives, implementing changes for improvement and efficiency.
,
• Makes decisions based on critical analyses of operational/statistical reports, financial data, and budget forecasts.
,
• Plans, administers, or monitors the program's budget, financial management, and/or grants.
,
• Takes a leadership role on program-related committees and teams.
,
• Develops fundraising initiatives, including researching funding sources and writing grant proposals.
,
• Conducts program research and ensures compliance with regulations through accurate reporting.
,
• Serves as a liaison with other groups and organizations, and may present at conferences or university functions.
,
• Supervises staff as needed and ensures accurate program records are maintained.
,
• Performs related responsibilities as required.
Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in a field related to specified program areas.
,
• Four years of related program management experience, or equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
,
• Master's degree in a Mental Health related field, public policy, public administration, or a related field (preferred).
,
• Several years of program-related and/or policy analysis experience (preferred).
,
• Experience in federal, state, or local public policy and program development, focusing on social services, social justice, or mental health public policy (preferred).
,
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.
,
• Direct experience working in or advocating before the Georgia state legislature (preferred).
,
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to execute at a high level, both independently and as part of a team.
,
• Proficiency with social media, project management software, and content management systems.
Nice-to-haves
• Experience in mental health advocacy or policy development.
,
• Familiarity with grant writing and fundraising strategies.
,
• Knowledge of behavioral health issues and public policy frameworks.
Benefits
• Flexible work schedule with the opportunity to work from home regularly.
,
• Access to professional development opportunities.
,
• Supportive work environment that values diversity and inclusion. Apply tot his job