Community Research Advisors Group Consultant
Treatment Action Group (TAG) is seeking a consultant to coordinate and strengthen the work of the Community Research Advisors Group (CRAG), one of the longest-running community advisory boards in tuberculosis (TB) research.
The CRAG serves as the community advisory board (CAB) to the TB Trials Consortium (TBTC), an international TB clinical trials network funded by the Division of TB Elimination at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The TBTC conducts programmatically relevant clinical research to improve the treatment and prevention of TB infection and TB disease. The network brings together a unique collaboration of researchers from CDC, domestic and international public health departments and academic medical centers, and selected Veterans Administration medical centers. TBTC research has led to the approval and recommendation of new, shorter regimens for preventing and treating TB that have changed global guidelines and clinical practice around the world.
The CRAG works to ensure the meaningful representation and engagement of affected communities in TBTC research. The group’s mission is to enhance the value, inclusivity, and impact of TBTC research by providing communities’ perspectives into all TBTC scientific processes and activities. Members come from communities near TBTC trial sites and serve on protocol teams, committees, and working groups. The CRAG is governed by terms-of-reference. Background on the TBTC and CRAG can be found here.
The consultant will work closely with TAG’s TB project co-director to facilitate the administration of the CRAG. Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Develop and support execution of an annual CRAG work plan in line with TBTC scientific activities and community priorities;
- Schedule, prepare for, facilitate, and take minutes at monthly CRAG calls and other ad hoc calls as necessary;
- Support CRAG members’ participation in TBTC committees, protocol teams, task forces, and working groups, and join and represent CRAG on such groups;
- Support the professional development of CRAG members by organizing trainings on TB research, clinical trials, community engagement, and other relevant topics;
- Facilitate a competitive call for new CRAG members and coordinate new member selection and onboarding processes;
- Prepare for and co-facilitate semi-annual CRAG meetings (one virtual and one in-person meeting each year on a Spring/Fall schedule);
- Draft CRAG publications, communications pieces, and written correspondence including protocol reviews, advocacy letters, conference abstracts, and policy briefs;
- Represent CRAG before the TBTC network and external stakeholders;
Representative knowledge, skills, and abilities for this consultancy include:
- Prior experience working with or serving on community advisory boards or in leading other community engagement structures active in global health research.
- Keen interest in clinical trials and global health research. Knowledge of TB is highly desirable but experience facilitating community engagement in HIV, malaria, or other infectious diseases will be considered relevant.
- Sharp interpersonal, coalition-building, and networking skills; friendly rapport with the ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders effectively; strong cross-cultural competency.
- Proficient in English with excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Comfort with public speaking and meeting facilitation.
- Strong organizational skills.
This is a part-time consultancy with the possibility of annual renewal, subject to satisfactory performance and continued funding.
Applicants outside of the USA are encouraged to apply. Residency in or near a location that hosts TBTC research will be considered but is not required (see map).
Compensation will be paid on an hourly basis, commensurate with skills and experience and consistent with TAG’s consultant compensation practices. Total compensation under the contract is estimated at around $15,000 per year. The consultancy is expected to require approximately 15–20 hours of work per month. Expenses related to travel to in-person CRAG and TBTC meetings will be covered. Subject to additional funding, there may be opportunities to expand this consultancy to support additional TAG-coordinated community advisory boards focused on tuberculosis research.
To apply, please submit your CV or resume and a one-page cover letter describing your previous experience working with CABs and/or engaging communities in research, advocacy, or public health. Applications should be sent to jobs@treatmentactiongroup.org with “CRAG Consultant” as the subject line and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the consultancy is filled. The anticipated start date is September 2026.
About TAG
Treatment Action Group (TAG) is an independent, activist, and community-based research and policy think tank committed to racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ equity; social justice; and liberation, fighting to end HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).
TAG catalyzes open collective action by affected communities, scientists, and policymakers to ensure that all people living with or impacted by HIV, TB, or HCV — especially communities of color and other marginalized communities experiencing inequities — receive life-saving prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and information.
We are science-based activists working to expand and accelerate vital research and effective community engagement with research and policy institutions for an end to the HIV, TB, and HCV pandemics.
Map of TBTC Sites
