Opportunities to Transform Public Health

At Breastfeeding Communities, we believe in the power of collaboration and innovation to create healthier, more equitable communities. As part of our mission to advance maternal and child health, we are excited to offer five Master of Public Health (MPH) practicum opportunities designed to empower students while driving meaningful change.

Each position offers hands-on experience, the chance to engage with public health leaders, and the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects that span local and global initiatives. Whether you’re interested in policy, financial strategy, digital advocacy, or storytelling, these positions provide a platform to sharpen your skills while making a tangible difference.

Explore the opportunities below to find the role that matches your passion and expertise:

Each role supports critical aspects of our work, from improving Medicaid policies in North Carolina to ensuring breastfeeding-friendly practices are integrated into emergency response systems, and from crafting compelling grant proposals to building community engagement through digital storytelling.

These opportunities are unpaid but come with unique potential for professional growth, networking, and future employment through grant-funded roles. Learn more about each position by clicking the links above!

Position 1: Policy Coordinator for Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities

Practicum Title

Policy Coordinator for Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities

Practicum Topic Areas

Maternal Health
Health Policy and Ethics
Social Determinants of Health

Description

The Policy Coordinator will develop, implement, and evaluate breastfeeding-friendly policies across community organizations. This position focuses on improving maternal and child health outcomes through advocacy and systemic change.

Possible Work Products

Policy Briefs: Develop comprehensive briefs to educate North Carolina policymakers about embedding infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) into FEMA protocols, state Medicaid programs, and other emergency response systems.
Grant Proposals: Create funding proposals to support advocacy efforts and program implementation aimed at improving Medicaid coverage and access for breastfeeding-related services.
Stakeholder Engagement Plans: Develop strategies for engaging policymakers, health systems, and organizations like the American Red Cross, United Way, FEMA , etc. in integrating IYCF-E into emergency response plans.
Emergency Response Integration Toolkit: Share our toolkit with state and national emergency responders outlining best practices for IYCF-E, creating checklists and training materials for rapid deployment.
Policy Mapping and Recommendations: Analyze current Medicaid policies and propose actionable recommendations for incorporating improved breastfeeding and maternal health support within North Carolina’s system.
Advocacy Presentation Materials: Prepare slide decks and presentations tailored for policy briefings and stakeholder meetings at the state and national levels.
Evaluation Reports: Develop reports that assess the current state of IYCF-E policies and Medicaid breastfeeding support, highlighting gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Communication Materials: Create infographics, fact sheets, and other communication tools to raise awareness about the importance of IYCF-E and Medicaid policy improvements among policymakers and the public.

Compensation

This position is unpaid; however, the practicum offers a unique opportunity for students to build grant-writing experience that could lead to funding opportunities for the organization. Students will play an integral role in crafting proposals to secure funding for breastfeeding advocacy programs, Medicaid policy improvements, and emergency response initiatives.

By demonstrating success in this role, students may open pathways to create future paid positions within the organization, including opportunities to manage awarded grants or lead program implementation. This practicum is ideal for individuals eager to grow their skills while laying the groundwork for a potential longer-term role in public health advocacy.

Location

Remote

Hours

200+ hours, with flexibility depending on program needs.

Featured Project: Human Milk Feeding Strategic Plan (Durham County)

Topic areas: Maternal & child health · Health policy · Systems change · Implementation & evaluation Location: Remote (Durham County, NC partners) · 200+ hours · Unpaid practicum · Rolling start

Breastfeed Durham is partnering with the Durham County Department of Public Health to turn a 10-year Human Milk Feeding Strategic Plan into embedded, routine public health practice. The plan lays out 10 steps toward a breastfeeding-friendly community, and our current focus is making sure every goal has a clear owner, a way to track progress, and the leadership support to keep it moving — even as staff and priorities change. As Policy Coordinator on this project, you’ll sit at the intersection of policy, program implementation, and public health systems change. You’ll help design the accountability structures — check-in tools, a stakeholder communication plan, and a proposed internal committee — that determine whether a strategic plan actually gets implemented or sits on a shelf. It’s a rare chance to see how federal funding, county contracts, state law, and community coalitions all come together around a single maternal-child health goal.

Map each strategic plan goal to a responsible health department office or role, and help build a clear, usable tracking system alongside our program team
Design short, high-response status check-in tools (3–5 focused questions) sent to responsible parties a few times a year, and a simple communication plan for leadership visibility
Help shape a proposed internal Human Milk Feeding committee — meeting cadence, co-lead structure, and a low-burden model that leadership will actually sustain

Position 2: Financial and Grant Writing Specialist

Practicum Title

Financial Strategist for Breastfeeding Advocacy

Practicum Topic Areas

Health Policy and Ethics
Maternal Health
Grant Writing and Financial Planning

Description

This practicum position offers an unparalleled opportunity to play a critical role in the financial sustainability and growth of Breastfeeding Communities, effectively becoming the backbone of the organization’s operations. The Financial and Grant Writing Specialist will act as a de facto Chief Financial Officer, managing the complex financial ecosystem that keeps our 24 active community programs thriving.

This role demands a deep understanding of every aspect of our operations, from local community programs to national advocacy initiatives. The position requires working closely with leadership and community coordinators to craft compelling grant proposals, generate detailed financial reports, and ensure compliance with funding requirements.

Through this role, you will interact with all 24 communities, gaining insights into their unique needs and challenges, and serving as a key liaison to articulate those needs in funding proposals and reports. The work you do will directly impact our ability to provide vital services, ensuring our programs are sustainable and impactful.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with leadership to craft and submit high-quality grant proposals tailored to specific community needs.
Develop and maintain financial tracking systems for awarded grants, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and reporting deadlines.
Create financial and program impact reports that demonstrate the organization’s achievements and build trust with funders.
Liaise with all 24 communities to understand their operations, budgets, and funding needs, integrating their insights into grant proposals and financial strategies.
Lead budget forecasting, planning, and analysis to support strategic decision-making.
Design and implement tools for financial literacy training among community coordinators.

Possible Work Products

Grant proposals tailored to the unique needs of our programs and communities.
Detailed financial impact reports to satisfy funder requirements and advocate for additional funding.
Comprehensive budgets for community programs and advocacy initiatives.
Tools and training guides to enhance financial literacy within our communities.
Engagement plans for funder relationships and new donor outreach strategies.

Key Skills and Opportunities

Master the financial operations of a dynamic, multi-community nonprofit organization.
Build relationships with community leaders across North Carolina and beyond.
Develop a deep understanding of maternal and child health, breastfeeding advocacy, and emergency response initiatives.
Gain hands-on experience in high-stakes financial reporting and grant management.

Health Equity

Recognizes inequities in funding access for lactation advocacy programs.
Focuses on securing resources for underserved communities.

Compensation

Location

Remote

Hours

200+ hours, with flexibility based on funding cycles.

Position 3: Visual Communication Coordinator

Practicum Title

Visual Communications and Social Media Strategist for Breastfeeding Advocacy

Description

The Visual Communications and Social Media Coordinator will develop and execute a strategic plan to amplify the mission and impact of Breastfeeding Communities across various digital platforms including websites. This position plays a crucial role in engaging stakeholders, building community awareness, and driving support for initiatives such as Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities Global, Breastfeed Durham, Franklin County programs, and the Safe Feeding Team.

The Coordinator will craft impactful content, create campaigns, and analyze metrics to ensure the organization’s goals are met while maintaining a focus on equitable storytelling. The position provides an opportunity to directly influence public engagement and attract funding through digital advocacy.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a social media strategy to promote advocacy initiatives and drive engagement.
Upon request, assist with updating websites for our 24 local breastfeeding coalition
Create and curate engaging content (posts, graphics, videos) for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Monitor and report on social media analytics to optimize performance and audience reach.
Collaborate with community leaders to tell their stories and showcase local impact.
Design special campaigns for National Breastfeeding Month and other key events.

Possible Work Products

Monthly social media content calendars aligned with organizational goals.
Analytics reports to track engagement and measure campaign effectiveness.
Visual storytelling materials (e.g., videos, infographics) highlighting community successes.
Website improvements and changes in Google analytics

Compensation

Unpaid, with the opportunity to gain skills in digital advocacy, campaign strategy, and storytelling for public health. The role offers the chance to build a portfolio and establish relationships with public health leaders.

Position 4: Newsletter Coordinator

Practicum Title

Public Health Newsletter Coordinator

Description

The Newsletter Coordinator will serve as the voice of Breastfeeding Communities, curating and disseminating newsletters that engage stakeholders, inform funders, and rally support for key programs. This position will ensure clear, compelling communication about the organization’s initiatives, including Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities Global, Breastfeed Durham, Franklin County projects, and the Safe Infant Feeding Team.

With a focus on funding, the Coordinator will craft donor-focused narratives, showcase impact stories, and align newsletters with ongoing advocacy and fundraising efforts. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to sustaining vital public health programs.

Responsibilities

Write, design, and distribute newsletters to donors, partners, and the public.
Develop a storytelling approach that connects program impact to donor support.
Collaborate with program leaders to gather updates and identify content opportunities.
Analyze newsletter performance metrics to improve engagement.
Support donor cultivation efforts by aligning newsletter themes with funding priorities.

Possible Work Products

Monthly newsletters featuring program highlights and funding calls-to-action.
Donor spotlights to recognize contributions and encourage ongoing support.
Analytics reports tracking open rates, click-through rates, and donor engagement.

Compensation

Unpaid, but with significant opportunities to develop expertise in public health communications, fundraising strategy, and stakeholder engagement. The role provides exposure to nonprofit leadership and funding dynamics.

Position 5: Community Research Coordinator (Delphi Study & PhotoVoice)

Practicum Title

Community Research Coordinator for the 10 Steps Delphi Study and PhotoVoice Project

Practicum Topic Areas

Maternal and Child Health
Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
Research Methods and Program Evaluation

Description

This practicum combines two connected research efforts into one hands-on experience at the intersection of research and community action. The Community Research Coordinator will help lead a Delphi study — a structured, multi-round expert consensus process — to formally validate and finalize our 10 Steps to a Safe Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community, the framework at the heart of our community designation model.

Alongside the Delphi study, the student will support our PhotoVoice project, funded through the Duke Global Health Institute and the Duke Trent Fund, which puts cameras — and power — in the hands of community members affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, documenting infant feeding and family experiences in disaster recovery to improve community outcomes and maternal and child health. The student will be supervised by Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities and will collaborate with our academic research partners at UNC and Duke.

Responsibilities

Serve as the day-to-day coordinator for the Delphi study, supporting the IRB application and ethical compliance process.
Help identify and recruit an expert panel of lactation professionals, public health practitioners, emergency preparedness partners, and community leaders.
Assist in designing, distributing, and analyzing the Delphi survey rounds, and synthesize consensus findings to finalize the 10 Steps framework.
Support PhotoVoice participant recruitment in partnership with trusted community organizations, including outreach to Latino/a families.
Assist with PhotoVoice data collection — photo submissions, interviews, and group discussion sessions — while upholding our community-first data agreements so participants control how their stories and images are shared.
Contribute to thematic analysis and dissemination products that translate community voices into action.

Possible Work Products

IRB application materials and study protocols for the Delphi study.
Delphi survey instruments, round-by-round analysis summaries, and a final consensus report finalizing the 10 Steps.
PhotoVoice recruitment materials, interview guides, and thematic analysis of community photos and stories.
Dissemination products — exhibits, reports, website content, and presentations — with potential for co-authorship on abstracts, presentations, or publications.

Compensation

Unpaid, with the opportunity to help lead a publishable research study from IRB approval through consensus findings, gain mentored experience in Delphi methodology and community-based participatory research, and build a portfolio of research products that communities will use for years to come.

Location

Remote, with optional travel to Western North Carolina for PhotoVoice activities.

Start Date

Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.

Hours

200+ hours, with flexibility depending on program needs.

Application Instructions

Ready to join our team and make an impact? Follow these steps to apply for one of our practicum opportunities:

Prepare Your Application Materials
Please submit the following documents:
- Resume or CV highlighting your relevant experience and skills.
- Cover Letter specifying which position you are applying for and why you are a strong candidate.
Submit Your Application
Email your application materials to: contact@breastfeedingcommunities.org with the subject line:
Application for [Position Name]
Application Deadline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Early submissions are encouraged!
Interview Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a virtual interview with the team to discuss their interests, skills, and fit for the position.