Program Analyst I (Digital Invest)

Job Description

Vistant seeks a Program Analyst I on behalf of its client partner, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This position is in USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation, in the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub, which leads USAID in experimentation and innovation to transform development.

The ITR Hub takes smart risks to test new ideas and partner with others to scale impact, bringing together diverse partners to transform how we save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance.

Working collaboratively with the Agency and external partners, ITR’s mission is two-fold:

• To produce breakthrough development innovations by sourcing, testing, and scaling proven solutions that impact millions of people.
• To transform development by opening it to people everywhere with good ideas, promoting new and deepening existing partnerships, bringing data and evidence to bear, and harnessing scientific and technological advances.

The Program Analyst position is in the Technology Division, which aims to address gaps in digital access and adoption and advance the use of technology and geospatial analysis in the development and humanitarian assistance, while also managing the risks that digital technology introduces into the lives of the communities we serve. The Program Analyst will sit on the Digital Inclusion team and primarily support the Digital Invest program with the goal of increasing access to internet connectivity and digital financial services to disadvantaged and underserved communities. Increased connectivity provides the foundation for the digital tools and applications, including digital financial services, necessary in improving sustainable development outcomes.

Position Overview

The Program Analyst will play a pivotal role in supporting the management of the ITR Hub’s administration, oversight, and implementation of its Digital Invest program, which is managed by the Technology Division’s Digital Inclusion and Digital Finance Teams. Digital Invest is a blended finance program that seeks to mobilize private capital for digital connectivity infrastructure and digital financial services that strengthen open, interoperable, reliable, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystems in emerging markets. Digital Invest supports global investment fund managers, project developers, and other private sector partners seeking to accelerate sustainable market growth for internet service providers (ISPs) and financial technology companies (fintech) that reduce the digital divide by serving traditionally excluded communities in developing markets. The ideal candidate will have an enthusiasm for leveraging digital connectivity and technology to spur development outcomes and an interest in learning how to further its safe and effective use. The successful candidate will have strong communication and coordination skills and be comfortable working across U.S. Government (USG) agencies, USAID teams, and private sector entities.

Digital Invest is partly funded by the U.S. Government’s interagency Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership. As such, the successful candidate will play a key role in advancing the objectives of this Partnership, including (1) promoting an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet in developing countries, (2) strengthening the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance, (3) advancing policy and regulatory policies that enshrine a pro-competitive model for the expansion of internet and communications networks, and (4) expanding the cybersecurity capacity of developing county governments.

The Program Analyst will support the administration, oversight, and implementation of Digital Invest, working closely with other members of the Digital Inclusion and Digital Finance teams to scope new private sector partnership opportunities that can significantly impact the provision of open, inclusive, and secure internet connectivity and digital financial services in emerging market countries. She/he will work closely with USAID’s expert technical staff, performing a variety of complex, analytical, and administrative duties. These duties range from routine tasks such as maintaining program files to more complex analytical-type tasks such as collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for various program documents, as well as preparing and presenting regular reports to interagency representatives on the progress of the program.

The Program Analyst will work closely with the Digital Inclusion and Digital Finance teams and provide input on related technical and managerial issues. The program analyst will also work with other members of the Digital Inclusion team to assist in areas such as country backstopping, overall administrative support, and other duties regarding related programming.

Responsibilities/Duties

Program Support (70%)

• Support the administration and management of the Digital Invest program, including oversight of existing partnership agreements as well as identifying and onboarding new partners as part of the program’s annual call for concepts and procurement process.
• Track program activities and progress, including monitoring, evaluation, and learning-related activities, and support the preparation and delivery of communications and reporting materials for both internal and external audiences.
• Support the oversight and management of specific partnership awards, including tracking partners’ progress, timelines, reporting, modification requests, invoices, and compliance.
• Respond to requests for information, analysis, and/or assistance about the Digital Invest program.

Stakeholder Engagement (15%)

• Support coordination of activities of the Digital Invest program with other U.S. Government interagency initiatives that are aimed at growing an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet in developing countries, advancing multi-stakeholder models of internet governance, and expanding the cyber capacity of developing countries.
• Liaise and communicate with persons and groups from both within and outside USAID, including the Department of State, the U.S. Trade Development Agency, the Development Finance Corporation, impact investing and development finance networks, commercial investors, and other related financiers.

Technical Advisory Support (15%)

• Support broader Digital Inclusion efforts that advance access, adoption, and use of internet connectivity, including transaction-related activities regarding connectivity infrastructure generally and Open RAN in particular.

Required Qualification, Education, and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience (or master’s degree and 1-3 years of relevant experience)
• Understanding of USAID’s mission, programs, and countries of operation
• Experience working on digital technology and ICT for the development.
• Familiarity working through public-private partnerships, blended finance approaches, and engaging with the finance community preferred.
• Background knowledge or familiarity with broadband-enabling infrastructure and/or digital financial services preferred.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, which may include documentation/presentation review, project management, and programmatic administrative support activities.
• Must be well-organized, experienced in multitasking situations, and highly motivated.
• Excellent written and communication skills and confidence in interfacing with government and non-government officials
• Experience managing various and simultaneous operational activities, based on knowledge of program objectives and requirements.
• Mid-level to advanced project management skills.

USAID Assumptions and Constraints

• Staff working on this effort must possess the ability to obtain a current “Secret” clearance.
• Requires compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d); USAID Graphic Standards (available at www.usaid.gov/branding), USAID Mission & Core Values (available at http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/mission-vision-values) or any successor branding/mission/core values policies.
• Requires collaboration with USAID DDI Bureau, other Operational Units

Estimated Schedule

• Full-time

Place of Performance

• Washington, DC - Ronald Reagan Building (RRB). On-site support with limited telework.
• Travel - Limited International and Domestic Travel

Applicants selected may be subject to a background investigation and must meet suitability requirements for eligibility. Vistant participates in E-Verify.

Vistant provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vistant is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled

About the Organization

Vistant (formally PM Consulting Group), recognized as one of the fastest growing companies across the country and the region by Inc. 5000, Financial Times, Washington Technology, and the Baltimore Business Journal, is a public-sector management consulting firm serving Federal international development, healthcare, and social services agencies.