Job Title : Program Specialist
Reports to : Partnerships Manager
Location : Washington, DC preferred (open to remote work, Eastern Standard Time ( EST ) time zone working hours required)
Overview
DAI seeks a Program Specialist for the USAID-funded Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR) program. This program support s the g overnments of Europe & Eurasia countries (including the Western Balkans, Black Sea region , and the Caucasus) in assisting critical infrastructure entities to incorporate cybersecurity best practices into organizational operations, planning, and procurement; prioritize cybersecurity investment needs; adopt standards and corresponding security controls; and establish the basis for region-wide cybersecurity information sharing. Through a regional approach targeting improved policies and legislation, information sharing, workforce development, and capacity-building, the program target s sectors such as e nergy (electric, natural gas, oil, district heating), w ater (transmission, distribution), t ransport, h ealthcare, f inance, and t elecommunications.
The Program Specialist will provide programmatic support in a variety of functions across CIDR, including programmatic, administrative, partnerships, procurement, and operational tasks. This is a full-tim e pro ject position based in Washington, DC . There is openness to remote work with the understanding that EST working hours are required . The program supports Eastern Europe and will require flexibility to hold some virtual meetings outside of EST working hours as needed. The Program Specialist report s directly to the Partnerships Manager .
Roles and Responsibilities
Programmatic
Draft ing programmatic documents , including program summaries and program descriptions , for a variety of internal and external audiences;
Preparing draft modifications and contracts for new and/or existing partners;
Attending client, stakeholder and staff meetings, composing agenda, taking notes and reporting out to participants;
Drafting scopes of work for staff positions (LTTA and STTA), firms, and activities;
Develop and maintain programmatic trackers, as requested ;
Supports project MEL functions and activities, including assisting with data gathering, tracking, and implementation of learning events;
Review and edit programmatic deliverables, as needed;
Serve as the CIDR project co-Security Focal Point;
Additional responsibilities as project needs evolve.
Operational/Procurement:
Assist ing the Partnerships Manager with technical procurements, such as preparing solicitations, identifying T echnical Evaluation Committee (TEC) members, scheduling TEC meeting s , saving proposal submissions to the files, and assisting with preparation of documentation as appropriate ;
Assist ing with domestic and international travel arrangements for sub -partners and consultants, such as flight booking, ensuring requisite project approvals are obtained, and assisting with travel logistics in compliance with USAID and DAI travel policies ;
Provide administrative and operational support coordinating conferences, workshops, and events, both virtual and in-person .
Administrative
Providing support with meetings, including scheduling, drafting agendas, note-taking, and sharing action items;
SharePoint file management , including preparing a SharePoint file structure and naming convention for key documents like work plans and program descriptions etc. , conducting spot checks of files, and more.
Liaising across technical/operational/HO teams as requested to follow up on pending items and/or gather programmatic updates;
Enter partner requisitions, purchase records, and invoices into DAI’s internal Technical Administrative Management Information System ( TAMIS ) for recordkeeping ;
Conduct regular “spot checks” of partner invoice tracker against invoices in the files to confirm accuracy ;
Additional responsibilities as project needs evolve.
Qualifications
Required
Minimum of 4 + years of experience on USAID or other donor-funded projects with a Bachelor’s degree in political science, IT, international studies, or relevant field, or 2+ years of experience on USAID or other donor-funded projects with a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Flexibility and responsiveness to a wide range of programmatic tasks, with strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines and self-manage work with minimal oversight.
Excellent communications (writ ten and spoken) in English .
High level of professionalism with USAID clients, partner governments, local stakeholders, and other external actors .
Experience working on multicultural teams.
Able and willing to occasionally travel to Eastern Europe and able to meet all entry requirements (including COVID-19 and visa rules) .
Eligibility to work in the U .S. (DAI will not sponsor visas.)
Ability to work during E ST working hours and availability to join virtual meetings with Eastern Europe clients and stakeholders outside of EST hours as needed.
Please note that DAI requires COVID 19 vaccinations subject to accommodation required by law.
Preferred
Working knowledge of cybersecurity , digital transformation and/or digital development .
Experience working in Eastern Europe or Western Balkans .
Supervisory Requirements
None
DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.
