Program Specialist

  • Full-time staff position
  • Posted on 17 January 2025

Job Description

Background and
Introduction:

Jefferson Solutions was awarded a five-year contract to
provide technical, administrative, and programmatic support to the Bureau for
Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS). Through REFS, USAID works to
advance inclusive agriculture‐led growth, resilience, nutrition, and water
security, sanitation and hygiene initiatives in priority countries around the
world to help them accelerate and protect development progress.

Position Summary:

This specific Program Specialist (International Affairs) position will
support the day-to-day functions of the Donor and Multilateral Team
(DMT) within the Feed the Future Office of Policy, Analysis and
Engagement. Reporting to the Strategic
Engagement Division Chief, daily activities will
include aspects of program and administrative management, analysis, coordination, and
communications and outreach related to donor and multilateral
engagement. The Program Specialist will provide all
functions needed to support Bureau or Operating Unit leadership and teams to
operate effectively, and to meet overall objectives.

Description of Role:

This is a full-time position to
support USAID’s Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS)
Donor and Multilateral Team (DMT). The REFS Bureau is responsible for worldwide
leadership and integrated technical expertise of the programming of the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID) in agriculture-led growth and
environmental sustainability. The DMT works to coordinate and strengthen REFS
engagement with international partners, including bilateral donors,
multilateral institutions, and philanthropic organizations.

In this position, the Program Specialist
will be responsible for supporting the Bureau’s efforts to advance U.S.
Government global development priorities related to food security on the
international stage. The Program Specialist will analyze and track policy
issues, develop and implement strategic approaches to advancing USAID policy
priorities, build and strengthen relationships with international partners,
provide guidance to Agency leadership, participate in technical and senior-level
meetings, and support other emerging priorities as required.

This position may
include occasional travel (up to 10% time).

The annual salary range for this position is $75,000- $85,000. The annual salary range is negotiable. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Coordination, Assistance, and
Management

  • Serve as key liaison with internal and external
    stakeholders to collect and respond to information and collaborate with others
    in the Bureau, Agency, and externally, as needed;
  • Prepare REFS leadership for participation in
    meetings with bilateral donors and multilateral partners;
  • Develop tools and resources to support REFS
    efforts to strengthen donor coordination activities, build long-term
    partnerships, and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the bureau’s
    work;
  • Coordinate participation in global events and
    forums for REFS leadership;
  • Provide logistical support to organize meetings,
    schedule conference rooms as necessary and ensure proper equipment and
    materials are available for meetings; and
  • Capture and distribute meeting minutes,
    summaries of conclusions, and action items.

Knowledge Management

  • Develop and maintain
    internal trackers including for logistics and milestone tracking; and
  • Track and follow
    clearances for Bureau documentation and ensure that formal documentation is of
    high quality.

Communications and Outreach

  • Serve as key liaison to manage incoming requests
    or external outreach within or outside of USAID on behalf of the Division;
  • Build relationships and maintain routine
    communication with interagency and intra-agency colleagues on issues related to
    diplomatic engagement and donor coordination;
  • Draft a high volume of briefing papers, talking
    points, memoranda, and other materials for REFS and Agency leadership, often
    under tight deadlines, and be able to synthesize input from a variety of staff
    and perspectives into key points for bureau and Agency leadership;
  • Build relationships and maintain routine
    communication with interagency and intra-agency colleagues on issues related to
    diplomatic engagement and donor coordination; and
  • Build and strengthen Agency food security
    related relationships with international partners, including bilateral donor
    governments.

Research and Analysis

  • Provide desk research, simple data analysis, and
    interpret data on donor partner policies, programs, and activities in order to
    proactively identify opportunities for cooperation on shared priorities; and
  • Support data syntheses,
    analyze reports and be able to present findings.

Qualifications

  • A Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years
    of professional experience (to include internships)
  • In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree may substitute an
    Associate’s degree plus a minimum of 9 years’ experience or a High School
    Diploma and 11 years’ experience
  • Ability to obtain a USAID facility access
    (Public Trust) security clearance.
  • Excellent oral,
    interpersonal, and written communications skills to effectively interact with
    government clients, high-ranking officials, and other stakeholders.
  • Background in international development,
    philanthropy, foreign affairs, or related field; experience in food security
    issues a plus.
  • Strong oral and written communications skills.
  • Experience drafting and editing a wide variety
    of written products, including briefing memos, talking points, strategy papers,
    etc.
  • Demonstrated skills in strategic thinking and
    qualitative analysis.
  • Strong prioritization and organization skills
    with keen attention to deadlines, acute attention to detail, and the ability to
    multitask and prioritize competing demands.
  • Excellent anticipatory skills and proactive
    approach to work.
  • Ability to work independently to deliver
    high-quality work products.
  • Experience working and establishing partnerships
    with bilateral donor governments is preferred but not required.
  • Proficiency in Google Suite of products
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Suite of products
    including excel, word, and PowerPoint.
  • Experience with USAID, USG or other related
    organizations is a plus.

About the Organization

Jefferson Consulting Group is a small, woman-owned, Washington, DC professional services firm that provides results-driven advice and hands-on assistance to our industry clients and government customers. We assist government customers in navigating today's dynamic, performance-based environment. For industry clients, we develop the right message, the right approach and provide proper positioning and targeted advocacy to create demand for their products and services.

Our comprehensive suite of procurement, lobbying and marketing services includes many years of experience and successful track records with federal agencies, Congress, advocacy groups and the media. With a focus on outcomes, our customer-centric teams work with clients to define objectives, frame issues and develop and implement winning solutions.

Similar Jobs