Statement of Duties to be Performed
Digital Strategy Implementation (40%)
● Lead the Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) process, develop plans to implement recommendations, with support from headquarters and update the assessment annually.
● Lead the development of a Digital Development Mission Order that provides guidance to the Mission on what required steps they must take to integrate the Agency’s Digital Strategy in their work including project and activity designs, and performance management.
● Consult with Mission colleagues to offer needs-based suggestions and demonstrations of utility of the Digital Strategy initiatives for improving outcomes.
● Participate in and/or lead conferences, trainings, and other means of promoting, creating knowledge, and building capacity related to the responsible use of digital technology in Agency development and humanitarian assistance activities.
● Develop partnerships and network with local innovators, youth organizations, NGOs, cultural and religious organizations, the private sector, local media and academia to build and provide a space to nurture and share innovative ideas, develop the next generation of thought leaders, and build local capacity.
● Work with headquarters to provide basic training to Mission staff on Digital Development broadly and digital approaches specifically tailored to Mission needs.
● Facilitate technical support between headquarters and the Mission to support the initiatives of the four-track implementation plan for the Digital Strategy (adopt an ecosystem approach, help partners navigate risk and rewards, shift to digital by default, and build the USAID of tomorrow).
Technical Support and Project/Program Management (30%)
● Provide technical and organizational advice to Mission staff in integrating digital development tools and approaches to better meet strategic objectives.
● Engage a wide set of stakeholders throughout the Mission as well as from private sector, multilateral agencies, and foreign organizations, with respect to coordinating on integration of digital approaches and best practices.
● Convene and participate in technical meetings, consultations and working groups with key stakeholders to address issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, digital payments, and digital inclusion, both internally and within the wider international development and technology communities.
● Contribute to the development of digital innovations and adaptations of digital innovations to advance Mission goals.
● Introduce and advise on digital tools for development (e.g., crowdsourcing platforms or mobile data collection tools).
● Collaborate with and support related Mission projects to ensure they are reaping the benefits of digital tools and services. Provide technical support for specific digital interventions (e.g., mobile phone-based systems for real-time data collection and digital financial services, including negotiations with mobile network companies and other service providers).
● Identify and facilitate the use of appropriate implementing mechanisms that best meet program needs, facilitating expert guidance during the design of activities employing digital tools.
● Perform and/or evaluate data-driven analyses of project success in achieving stated goals. Identify opportunities for further improvement and take steps to make appropriate changes.
● Perform AOR/COR duties for digital development mechanisms as needed.
Strategic Planning and Support (30%)
● Provide a technical perspective to ongoing Mission programming, introducing and supporting policies and processes that enable incorporation of digital tools and analytical capacity in the Mission’s portfolio.
● Work closely with Mission staff across teams and across sectors to review and identify optimal entry points for digital tools and analytical support. Build digital technology into requests for proposals (RFPs) and contracting language.
● Proactively scout for new ideas and opportunities within the local technology community, among USAID partners and externally, and include them in strategic planning for the Mission. In particular, to look at approaches or technologies that can be implemented in an integrated fashion across sectors or across offices.
● Manage processes intended to identify and act upon opportunities to further define and address pressing development challenges through digital and analytical means.
● Build collaborative relationships within the Mission, the Agency, and with implementing partners, to identify and incorporate digital solutions with relevance in the local context. Keep partners appraised of progress and critical issues. As appropriate, identify additional entities capable of adding value to the project, and seek support.
● Identify opportunities for new external partnerships with the private sector, local partners and others on digital global goods, common architectures, interoperability and public use (e.g., shared short codes) and lead proposal and partnership development efforts in close collaboration with the Mission, and with support from the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub where applicable.
● Prepare and present concept papers, background analyses, and briefings to build support for the use of digital tools throughout the Mission.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in public policy or administration, international relations, political science, information and communication technology, computer science, or other related degree supported by certification in information and communication technology or digital development. A master’s degree in IT related programs would be preferred.
• Prior Work Experience: At least five years of progressive experience providing support and technical expertise around a variety of digital development initiatives for stakeholders in International Development, Donor Agency or Private Sector Organization. Experience working alongside government counterparts and other key stakeholders such as private sector and non-profit sector on designing and implementing digital development initiatives or developing policy to support open, secure, and interoperable digital infrastructure.
• Post Entry Training: Introduction to Program Cycle (IPC), Project Development (PD), Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA), AOR/COR Training and Certification, and Digital Development Training.
• Language Proficiency: English and local language Level 4 (Fluent) is required. Excellent oral and communication skills. Ability to provide comprehensive reports.
• Job Knowledge: The DDA will have tact, good judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills to ensure effective team relations and to cultivate and manage complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships. S/He will have the ability to work with a diverse set of individuals who have varying degrees of familiarity with the potential applications for digital tools. Ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences including the technology community, development practitioners and civil society with a deep understanding of current and emerging internet technology solutions as well as related policy considerations. Excellent written and oral communication skills including preparing communications materials, training and support resources, presentations, and reports for diverse audiences ranging from beneficiaries in developing countries to executive-level decision-makers. Ability to obtain, evaluate, and analyze data, and to prepare precise, accurate, and complete reports; as well as recognize significant developments and trends reflected from collected data and bring it to the attention of colleagues and superiors. Ability to effectively advocate for USG and USAID policy positions to relevant government officials and regulators in support of USAID development goals to advance the growth of digital development.
• Skills and Abilities: The DDA will have the ability to respond positively to shifting priorities and project timelines. S/He will lead, supervise and respond to change in a high pace environment and will have the ability to maintain strong working relationships with colleagues. Excellent presentation and documentation skills. S/He must be able to support the design and supervise the implementation of digital systems and approaches and take advantage of opportunities to work collaboratively with local governments, private sector partners, NGOs, innovators, tech communities, and others to institutionalize the use of digital technology across Mission offices. S/He will assist in the writing and review of various types of solicitations that request sustainably designed and principled proposals and that surface the most appropriate technical solutions for a given problem. This DDA will demonstrate strong capabilities in the following technical areas of expertise:
● Advising organizations on how to incorporate digital solutions into their programming to support the achievement of development objectives including working with mobile devices, internet connectivity, digital financial services, and solutions for data collection, analysis, and sharing, preferably in international development, including a comprehensive understanding of solutions for Short Message Service (SMS), Interactive Voice Response (IVR), smartphones, tablets, social media, websites, and messaging apps.
● Experience managing projects in line with the internationally recognized Principles for Digital Development and U.S. policies related to open data and internet freedom.
● Supporting, using, or working with Digital Payment providers and/or applications with a particular focus on improving financial inclusion.
● Supporting, using, or working with GIS software to include providing data analysis and data visualization products.
● Working with Internet Service Providers (ISP), local governments, and communities to support digital inclusion and reduce the digital divide.
● Building, facilitating, coordinating, and maintaining large-scale collaborative efforts between numerous donors, NGOs, private industry partners, and other stakeholders.
● Working in start-up companies/organizations. Entrepreneurial failures are considered as valuable learning experience.
CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 15, 2024, at 4:00pm
