International Resources Group (IRG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Engility Corporation, seeks a Program Specialist for the USAID SPO Strategic Planning and Program Management (SPPM). The incumbent reports to the SPPM Division Chief. SPPM serves as the Middle East and Asia Bureaus’ principal point of contact and coordinator for meeting the Agency’s strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, and program budget analysis requirements. The Program Specialist plays a prominent role in ensuring prompt and responsive service to Asia and Middle East Mission Program Offices, as well as to Agency Bureaus and interagency counterparts.
The incumbent will serve as a principal point of contact with other Offices and Bureaus, including Agency Initiative owners and technical bureaus on program guidance for USAID field missions. He/she will exercise independent judgment and apply broad analytic knowledge to analyze trends and political developments for strategic planning; assist missions with monitoring and evaluation of development programs; and assist reporting and related tracking of indicators and budgeting. He/she is responsible for ensuring that issues related to Division activities in Asia and the Middle East are followed-up with and resolved in a timely manner. He/she will be responsible for prioritizing assigned tasks, as well as tracking and reporting on assigned activities. The Program Specialist reports to and takes direction from the Division Chief of SPPM.
Responsibilities:
As an employee of IRG, the Program Specialist is not authorized and must not supervise, commit, or represent resources on behalf of the Government, or perform inherently governmental functions in any shape or form. Work must be performed under the supervision of a USAID Direct Hire (USDH). Within these limitations, the incumbent will:
Provide support for strategy development and program management, including, but not limited to (50%):
Provides programmatic technical support and assistance on the country and regional strategy processes, taking into account Agency guidelines, Congressional and Bureau priorities, and country needs.
Provides support to the SPPM Division and to field missions, as directed, in all aspects of the Agency program cycle implementation, including policy formulation and implementation; strategic planning; project design; resource planning; monitoring and evaluation; and reporting.
Under guidance of the SPPM Division Chief, assists the regional analysts and M&E specialists with compilation, preparation, review and analysis of Agency reports (e.g. PPR, OP, technical sector reports, special reports to Congress, etc.).
Supports SPPM Division Chief with teams responsibilities related to formulation, analysis, and reporting on program budgets, to SPO and Bureaus’ leadership; Central Bureaus (PPL, DCHA, EGAT); USAID Administrator’s office; State and the Office of Foreign Assistance (State/F); and Congress, keeping in mind Agency, Bureau, interagency, and country priorities and tradeoffs.
As appropriate, provides in-person programmatic support, under the supervision of the SPPM Division Chief or another direct hire, to USAID missions in Asia and the Middle East.
Provide analytical support including, but not limited to (50%):
Serves as principal point of contact, in a program support role, with the Agency’s Initiative owners (such as BFS, GH, DCHA), under the guidance of the SPPM Division Chief, ensuring that SPO assumes a pro-active stance in engaging with the relevant technical bureaus. Tasks include monitoring Initiative policy directives, familiarization with development and assistance trends, tracking monitoring and evaluation and reporting, including development indicators and planned resource levels, and disseminating the information to SPO staff.
Develops and performs analysis on research questions as they pertain to development in Asia and the Middle East, culminating in documentation to be disseminated to the SPPM Division and potentially other offices.
Conducts original or secondary research or analysis or as part of the Division or on field mission assignment; identifying, extracting and analyzing materials from existing reports, and studies and files to conduct research; and evaluating and validating specific data for use in complex reports and studies.
Prepares analytical information, briefers and informational materials, including Powerpoints, talking points, etc. for USAID internal meetings and public events or presentations.
Facilitates communications between the Division and the field missions, including through monthly phone calls, webinars, posting of key documents and guidance to intranet.
Tracks program and technical assistance needs of missions in areas of strategic planning, project design, monitoring and evaluation. Directly assists missions and coordinates support to missions. Maintains bureau-shared spreadsheets/databases.
Assists with logistical support, arranging and attending SPPM-led meetings. Responsible for planning, preparation and proceedings/notes (strategic dialogues, DVCs, technical meetings, etc.)
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Minimum Tangible Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in international development, foreign policy, international relations, international security, political sciences, social sciences, economics, or other field relevant to international development.
At least five years of experience working at an organization, agency, foundation, NGO, etc. that focuses on international development or humanitarian assistance, or foreign aid, affairs, or policy, or international relation is preferred.
Prior professional experience working with USAID, Peace Corps, the Department of State or agencies involved in foreign affairs, either working directly for the agency or working for an implementing partner.
Some experience with budget analysis and preparation; understanding of the U.S. Government budget system.
Knowledge and experience related to the Asia and Middle East regions and US foreign policy objectives.
Strong analytical skills and ability to independently research data sources both external and internal to the Agency.
Proactive and self-starter; demonstrates initiative taking and attention to detail. Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and with colleagues (teamwork ability).
Excellent organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks/responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in office software applications (word processing, Powerpoint, spreadsheets, databases, etc.)
Willingness and ability to travel to USAID missions in the Asia and Middle East regions.
Ability to obtain a SECRET-level security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
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Preferred Skills and Qualifications:
Master’s degree in international development, foreign policy, international relations, international security, political sciences, social sciences, economics, or other field relevant to international development. Significant international development experience in work areas pertinent to the position would be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
At least three years of experience working at an organization, agency, foundation, NGO, PVO, faith-based organization, etc. that focuses on international development or humanitarian assistance, or foreign aid, affairs, or policy, or international relation is preferred.
Previous experience in work areas pertinent to the position is preferred: project design; evaluation; monitoring; indicators development; strategic planning.
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