From Curiosity to a Calling: Courtney Irwin shares how her background in research led to supporting local partners with OHA

Having supported three Local Partner Meetings, both virtually and in-country, as a program analyst turned local partner advisor with USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS’ (OHA) Capacity Building and Partnerships Branch, Courtney Irwin has had the privilege of connecting with local partners from across the globe who are implementing PEPFAR and USAID programming. “I love the work that we do. Local partners are on the ground, they are working in the communities, know the political dynamics, the geographical dynamics, they know their neighbors, they are the organizations that people are already going to, so it makes so much sense to have these programs led by these individuals and organizations. You get to see the impact in real time.”

Early in her career in infectious disease as a laboratory research technician, Courtney began to feel a pull that would eventually take her beyond the lab. “I found that I was only seeing the world through the samples I was working with that day. Sometimes it’s hard to contextualize the work that you’re doing and see the impact down the line. More and more, I was questioning how my work was impacting populations on a larger scale.”

After discussions with a colleague working in epidemiology, she decided to chart a new path involving “a move across the country to D.C. where I worked towards a master in public health, focused on epidemiology and disease control. I knew early on that I wanted to focus on population health programming with USAID.”

An initial position as a program analyst with OHA found Courtney on a team dedicated to PEPFAR programming with local partners and provided her opportunities to grow and stretch over the past four years. Her new position as local partner advisor on the same team is a great example of the opportunities that exist for institutional support contractors supporting the Agency.

Courtney’s background in the lab continues to play a prominent role in the perspective and experience she brings to her current position: “Because I have the research background, I’m currently supporting a research award and working with that award mechanism to support local scientists. It’s almost full circle because I know what it's like to be a scientist, and in the general sense, to capacitate not only yourself but your research lab. You never know where past experiences will lead you.”

What advice would you give someone thinking about working in your field?

Be really curious and open minded to the opportunities that present themselves. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get comfortable using and analyzing data and data tools. It is a great skill to have and a great benefit to the programs and work you will be supporting.