Energy/Environment Analyst- LAC/RSD (Active Secret Clearance)

Job Description

Job Title: Energy/Environment Analyst(LAC/RSD)

Department/Location: Washington, DC

Reports To: Contract Project Director and USAID LAC Manager

Type: Regular Full-Time

Classification: Full Time, Non-Exempt

Overview:

The Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) helps to make the U.S.’s and the Western Hemisphere more peaceful, secure, and prosperous by strengthening the capacity of the
governments and private sector entities. Throughout the region, USAID has 13 field offices, 4 regional programs, and Washington-based programs focusing on Cuba, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

The LAC Regional Sustainable Development (LAC/RSD) Office is seeking one employee to provide long-term Program and Technical Support in the Ronald Reagan Building. Note:Telework is authorized during USAID phase 1 of the COVID crisis. The incumbent will receive guidance and direction from the Team Lead, work closely with the LAC/RSD Senior Energy and Environment Advisor, and may also provide support to other Environment Team staff members on team-wide operations and assignments.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities:

PROGRAM FUNCTIONS:

• Contributes to the development, planning, and implementation of USG initiatives and special projects in the energy area.
• Coordinates and drafts responses to various taskers, and inquiries, on Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) energy topics to include USAID leadership, Congress, other USG agencies, the media, diaspora communities, and the public.
• Supports liaison and coordination with other donors, NGOs, civil society groups, other USG agencies, Congress, members of the press, and host government officials on energy matters.
• Drafts budget planning tables and justification documents for internal, inter-agency, and Congressional audiences.
• Prepares or participates in the development of activity, project, and program strategy reports, especially as related to LAC Bureau energy activities.
• Develops documents for the design of acquisition and assistance awards.
• Provides technical advice on the feasibility, appropriateness, and value of proposed activities or changes in activities in the energy sector.
• Contributes to the RSD/Environment team in all aspects of program management, reporting, and related analysis.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of digital systems for consolidating and managing LAC’s publications, reports, briefers, and data on energy.
• Performs outreach and data collection on energy issues with field missions and other operating units, other offices and bureaus, other U.S. agencies.
• Assists with strategic planning at the sectoral, institutional, and national levels.
• Supports sectoral analyses and assessments that inform strategic approaches and Country Development and Cooperation Strategies (CDCS).

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH FUNCTIONS:

• Drafts and reviews fact sheets, situation reports, talking points, speeches, public presentations, and briefing materials for external audiences including the public, the media, Congress, foreign governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and international organizations.
• Assembles information for, and drafting responses to, Congressional and public inquiries.
• Supports USAID/LAC/RSD/ENV staff in developing publications such as electronic newsletters, annual reports, project reports, or special publications and briefs.

TECHNICAL ADVISORY FUNCTIONS:

• Providing guidance and assistance to USAID Missions, implementing partners, and stakeholders.
• Understanding Agency and USAID/LAC guidance, policies, processes, and procedures, and ensuring adherence to them.
• Planning and coordinating of project/activity design in LAC and contributing to overall portfolio design.
• Maintaining current knowledge of programmatic approaches and research on sector issues for knowledge transfer to USAID.
• Coordinating with relevant USAID staff and programs and participating in selected Agency technical working groups related to the LAC Bureau.
• Contributing to updates on program budgets and semi-annual portfolio reviews.
• Developing briefers and other communications materials related to sector issues.
• Responding to Congressional or public inquiries.

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:

• Maintains contact lists, visitor lists, and calendars.
• Prepares LAC leadership for key meetings, events, conferences, travel.
• Maintains electronic and hard copy files in compliance with Agency policy.
• Corrdinates events and high-level visitors.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

1. Incumbent must have active secret clearance.
2. Three to five years’ experience planning, developing, managing and/or evaluating activities in the energy sector of developing countries.
3. Experience developing policies, strategies, and plans in the energy field in developing countries.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
5. Must work well with others, be able to multitask; and have strong problem solving, organizational, and time management skills.
6. Familiarity with the Google and Microsoft suites of applications (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, calendars; Excel, Word, PowerPoint calendars; etc.) and Adobe, including the ability to create/ edit PDF documents for electronic signature.
7. Language capability in one of our region’s major languages (Spanish, Portuguese, or French)

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to manage multiple work streams in a timely manner.
• Understanding of the U.S. Foreign Policy process, including USAID goals and objectives particularly in the energy sector.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public policy, international development/relations, energy policy, energy studies or related field, plus 3 years of experience preferably in a public or non-profit setting combining administrative support with writing and electronic information and systems management; or
• Master’s degree in political science, public policy, international development/relations, energy policy, energy studies or related field, plus 1 years of experience preferably in a public or non-profit setting combining administrative support with writing and electronic information and systems management.

Working Environment: Work is typically performed in an office environment based in Washington, DC. It will begin with remote work until COVID-19 restrictions change.

Physical Requirements: This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 20 lbs.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position will be embedded in USAID/Washington LAC and will not have supervisory responsibilities.

Travel: International travel may be required and could include travel to fragile or conflict-prone zones.

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S.A. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

About the Organization

About Us

We are International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a global consulting firm supporting some of the most complex development problems worldwide. Are you interested in being part of programs that help government agencies, private companies and donors improve the lives of others? At IBTCI you will be part of an inclusive team that provides expert solutions and advice to understand and advance critical problems while giving you opportunities to succeed and grow.

IBTCI has been in business since 1987. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL), Institutional Support (IS), Financial & Risk Management (FRM), Supply Chain Management and Procurement (SCMP); Social & Behavior Change (SBC) and Capacity Building. We provide these services across many sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, resilience & food security, conflict & crisis, democracy & governance, economic growth & trade, education, energy & Infrastructure, environment & climate change, global health & WASH and humanitarian and disaster assistance.
Are you looking for a company that offers worthwhile opportunities for your professional growth? At IBTCI, our colleagues are encouraged to collaborate and be part of the solution while getting the tools and guidance needed to grow and support our clients' missions.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.