Program Associate ( Fixed Term)

Company: United States Pharmacopeia
Location: Rockville
Posted on: July 19, 2025

Job Description:

Description Who is USP? The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is an independent scientific organization that collaborates with the worlds leading health and science experts to develop rigorous quality standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients. At USP, we believe that scientific excellence is driven by a commitment to fairness, integrity, and global collaboration. This belief is embedded in our core value of Passion for Quality and is demonstrated through the contributions of more than 1,300 professionals across twenty global locations, working to strengthen the supply of safe, high-quality medicines worldwide. At USP, we value inclusive scientific collaboration and recognize that attracting diverse expertise strengthens our ability to develop trusted public health standards. We foster an organizational culture that supports equitable access to mentorship, professional development, and leadership opportunities. Our partnerships, standards, and research reflect our belief that ensuring broad participation in scientific leadership results in stronger, more impactful outcomes for global health. USP is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer (EEOE) and is committed to ensuring fair, merit-based selection processes that enable the best scientific mindsregardless of backgroundto contribute to advancing public health solutions worldwide. We provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and uphold policies that create an inclusive and collaborative work environment. Brief Job Overview The Program Associate is a non-supervisory position that will provide program management and operational support on a donor-funded project within the Global Health and Manufacturing Services (GHMS) Department. The role will work closely to support the Program Manager with overall project management activities, such as managing procurements, consultants, and meeting/travel logistics to ensure the project remains within scope, timeframe, and budget while delivering timely, high-quality project deliverables. This position facilitates strong coordination between project start-up, implementation, and closeout, particularly in procurement and consultant/vendor management, and ensures the smooth coordination of operational logistics to facilitate effective technical implementation. They will serve as an important liaison with other USP operational units in addressing project needs to ensure timely completion of activities and submission of contract deliverables. This is a Fixed Term assignment for 4 Years How will YOU create impact here at USP? As part of our mission to advance scientific rigor and public health standards, you will play a vital role in increasing global access to high-quality medicines through public standards and related programs. USP prioritizes scientific integrity, regulatory excellence, and evidence-based decision-making to ensure health systems worldwide can rely on strong, tested, and globally relevant quality standards. Additionally, USPs People and Culture division, in partnership with the Equity Office, invests in leadership and workforce development to equip all employees with the skills to create high-performing, inclusive teams. This includes training in equitable management practices and tools to promote engaged, collaborative, and results-driven work environments. The Program Associate has the following responsibilities: Contribute to project start-up activities in close coordination with designated Program Manager to ensure a smooth transition from project start-up to implementation and close-out; Serve as integral member of the project management team in ongoing project implementation through to project/contract close-out. Support the Program Manager with key project management functions (e.g., coordinating meetings, workplan implementation and deliverable tracking, budget monitoring, coordinating staff/technical resource needs, drafting donor reporting, inputting and tracking M&E data etc.). Lead on coordinating all operational logistics to ensure seamless delivery of technical activities, including coordinating travel arrangements, workshop/training venues, catering needs and per diems. Liaise with other USP operational units, such as Global Finance, Procurement, Legal, etc. to follow-up on project requests or resolve issues to avoid impact to project implementation Manage procurement requests and lead consultant/vendor onboarding and invoice/contract management in consultation with the Program Manager to include liaising with Procurement and Global Finance staff to ensure proper supplier set up and timely invoice payments. Draft consultant/vendor contracts and upload to contract repository, monitor legal review and see the contracting process through until contracts are signed and active and POs issued. Ensure good records management, according to USP and donor policies. Participates in key project management meetings, including project & Project Management Unit (PMU) kick-off/closeout meetings and regular PMU meetings, and follows up on PMU meeting action items. Who is USP Looking For? The successful candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of our mission, commitment to excellence through inclusive and equitable behaviors and practices, ability to quickly build credibility with stakeholders, along with the following competencies and experience: Bachelors degree in relevant field required or an equivalent combination of training and experience. 1-3 years experience with program management support and/or implementation of donor-funded programs and/or global health work. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and conscious of cultural and political sensitivity. Excellent writing skills, meeting note taking, and reporting skills. Additional Desired Preferences Articulate professional able to communicate effectively with Global Health colleagues, field office staff and key external stakeholders. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills with attention to detail. Strong and demonstrated program/project management skills and effective time management and prioritization skills. Ability to prepare reports and provide clear and succinct information to management in a timely manner. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills and ability to implement corrective action, as needed. Work experience in LMICs, preferably in Africa. Willingness to travel internationally. Supervisory Responsibilities None, this is an individual contributor role. Benefits USP provides the benefits to protect yourself and your family today and tomorrow. From company-paid time off and comprehensive healthcare options to retirement savings, you can have peace of mind that your personal and financial well-being is protected. Compensation Base Salary Range: USD$67,000.00 $83,000.00 annually. Target Annual Bonus: % Varies based on level of role. Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidates skill set, experience, qualifications, equity, and other job-related reasons. Note: USP does not accept unsolicited resumes from 3rd party recruitment agencies and is not responsible for fees from recruiters or other agencies except under specific written agreement with USP. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor. Job Category Professional Programs Job Type Full-Time

Keywords: United States Pharmacopeia, Bowie , Program Associate ( Fixed Term), Science, Research & Development , Rockville, Maryland