Internship, Nutrition Policy, Tufts-Hancock Healthy Neighborhood Program

Internship Description: The student will work collaboratively with a team of 10 in the BPHC’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Division for a hands-on summer learning experience supporting the division’s policy and programmatic work. The student will have an opportunity to learn more about city, state and national policies that impact food and nutrition, practice policy writing and communication skills, and actively contribute to BPHC’s food and nutrition security goals. The student will also have opportunities to support the division’s outreach, education and programming in the community, build relationships with community organizations and Boston residents, and learn how a public agency functions and protects the health and wellbeing of city residents.  

 

DUTIES:

• Update BPHC’s Nutrition Policy Agenda
  • Work with BPHC’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) to do an updated scan of state and federal legislation related to nutrition, nutrition security, and food policy
  • Write legislative comments and testimony. Research and draft policy memos for emerging topics in food and nutrition policy
• Support implementation of BPHC’s Healthy Food Pantry initiative, part of the Boston REACH project funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  
  • Work with Division’s REACH project team and community partner, the Boston Organization of Nutritionists and Dieticians of Color, to provide technical assistance and support to pantries implementing the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) program.
  • Work with the food pantries to create standard operating policies and procedures that incorporate SWAP.
• Support implementation of BPHC’s food procurement policy
  • Work with BPHC Procurement’s Office to create toolkits for staff to implement our updated food procurement policy
  • Create communication materials and co-facilitate trainings for BPHC staff on the new policy
• Work with of the Boston Community Health Collaborative’s 2025 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Priority Area “Access to Healthy and Affordable Foods”: Objective 4, Enhance the collection, use and coordination of food security data and metrics in Boston to inform equitable and community-driven solutions.
  • Research and produce a white paper on measures for social determinants of health screening: nutrition security screening versus food security screening
  • Additional specifics TBD
• Supports implementation of Division activities and events throughout the summer in Boston neighborhoods, including Boston Healthy Childcare Initiative learning collaboratives and workshops, community nutrition education sessions, outreach and education at Boston farmers markets, Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series, and community blood pressure screening clinics.
• Duties can be tailored to student’s specific needs and desired experimental learning competencies

 

Friedman School’s Experiential Learning Competencies Addressed

• Scientific & Disciplinary Expertise: Develop knowledge of nutrition policy and understand it is implemented at the local municipal level; apply knowledge to advance policy; develop content expertise in nutrition security and nutrition policy
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Ability to critically review the current literature
• Communication & Presentation Skills: Develop and facilitate presentations and communications products for multiple audiences; Build and demonstrate policy writing skills; report data analysis findings for non-academic audiences
• Leadership, Collaborative & Problem Solving: Develop leadership skills; develop knowledge and understanding of the administration of a government agency/ local health department; engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration with multiple departments and Boston residents.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

• BA/BS and current enrollment in the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy Master’s Program
• Strong writing skills and interest in policy writing and communications
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate effectively and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. A