Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat Program Specialist (Investment Officer)

Job Description

CAMRIS International, LLC, (CAMRIS) is seeking a Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat Program Specialist (Investment Officer) to support the USAID Africa Bureau Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat.



This position will perform work under the Africa Bureau Institutional Support and Services II contract (AFR ITSS II). AFR ITSS II assists USAID in achieving its program priorities by providing contracted technical, professional, operational, and administrative support staff in support of USAID’s African programs on both short- and long-term bases. Work performed under this contract will cover a range of technical and administrative areas aimed at advancing USAID’s development objectives in sub-Saharan Africa.



CAMRIS is a dynamic international development and research firm that achieves innovative solutions to health and development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective programs and research management services. We combine our proven systems with today’s most effective, evidence-based best practices to improve the lives of people around the world. Our core capabilities include: public heath, such as strengthening health systems and combating HIV/AIDS, TB and other infectious diseases; fostering trade and investment; expanding power and electrification; strengthening democracy and governance; expanding access to and improving the quality of education; and ensuring environmental sustainability for generations to come by fighting climate change.



Our employees enjoy a diverse, collegial environment where individual contributions matter at all levels. At CAMRIS, you will notably improve the lives of people at home and abroad



GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Prosper Africa initiative is a whole-of-U.S. Government effort to substantially increase trade and investment in the United States and Africa. Prosper Africa will mobilize and coordinate the U.S. Government’s full range of capabilities, influence, and assistance to substantially increase trade and investment while supporting jobs at home and abroad. The initiative aims to improve the U.S. government’s ability to encourage and facilitate engagement by U.S. businesses in Africa, accelerate African economic competitiveness and the growth of the continent’s middle class, and improve the business environment in promising African economies. Importantly, while Prosper Africa is a strategic investment by the U.S. Government, it will be responsive to the interests and direction of the private sector.



The Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat (PAES, or Coordinator’s team), supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks a Program Specialist (Investment Officer) to provide support for the PAES as it coordinates, synchronizes, convenes, monitors, and reports on interagency members’ Prosper Africa related trade and investment efforts to substantially increase two-way trade between the United States and African countries. As a critical member of the PAES, the Program Specialist, under the guidance of the Investment Team Lead, and in collaboration with the Strategy and Program Office, will undertake a range of programmatic design tasks, strategic interventions, and program surge support as needed, such as drafting and providing technical input on documents, monitoring ongoing programs, and coordinating with the interagency and regional offices.



This position requires regular in-office presence at least three days per week, and is telework eligible for up to two days per week.

• Develops and provides technical input into papers, briefing materials, speeches, etc. as needed by leadership, the front office, and the Administrator’s office
• Drafts policy memoranda and position papers for senior PAES officials to use in meetings, which include all levels of the USG, the private sector and representatives of other countries
• Monitors the status of current and ongoing program activities and achievements and provides written and oral briefings and reports as needed
• Designs new programs and activities based on private sector trends and USG priorities and coordinates with existing programs and mechanisms, such as the Africa Trade and Investment Program
• Coordinates with the regional Prosper Africa offices to assist with program efforts and serves as a Washington-based liaison for program design, implementation and tracking
• Liaises with theUSG interagency and other USAID offices within the AFR to synchronize unity of effort, alignment of programs, and ensure Prosper Africa views and interests are represented and promoted
• Works with other AFR Bureau offices to draft requisite Congressional Notifications, program allocation, apportionment memoranda, and helps develop responses to queries from posts, the public and Congress concerning PAES activities.
• Provides input to and tracks clearance of Prosper Africa memos, reports and other action items
• Serves as PAES representative to working groups and meetings in areas of responsibility.
• Tracks and coordinates taskings from intra-agency and inter-agency working groups, develops summaries/evaluations of options and due-outs; works with leadership to follow-up
• Receives requests from other Agency members for information concerning the USG Prosper Africa Initiative efforts and assembles requested information from available background data or follows up to ensure that points of contact submit the required answers within the specified time.
• Helps develop and continuously update timeline with key actions necessary for developing and implementing Prosper Africa strategy, operational, and implementation plans, taking into account funding, staffing and administration/interagency priorities. This includes stocktaking to identify information gaps and review processes.
• Other related duties as assigned.

• A bachelor’s degree is required in a field such as international relations, economics, finance, trade, business, international development, public policy or similar
• At least three years of relevant work experience.
• Experience working and/or collaborating with U.S. government agencies and private sector organizations, including officials with international organizations, foreign and domestic government officials, and development partners is required.
• Experience in written and oral communication involving coordinating, negotiating and motivating individuals to take action is required.
• Knowledge of relevant disciplines including trade, private sector development, and investment required.
• Demonstrated ability to work with teams, often with high pressure and time constraints is preferred.
• Proficiency in Google (Docs, Drive, etc.) and Microsoft (MS Word, Excel, etc.) applications is preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; capable of presenting information through reports and discussions to effectively support senior level officials responsible for providing guidance and direction across the interagency and to work across teams and with various levels of leadership is preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members as well as inter-agency colleagues in the United States and Africa, U.S. and African government officials, donors, private sector officials, and implementing partners is required.
• U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain a Secret security clearance is required.

CAMRIS International offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Please submit your resume online at www.camris.com. CAMRIS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law.



Some positions or sites may require that the incumbent be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination may be required.



Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, a requirement for this position under an active federal contract. The background check process may include, but is not limited to the following: (1) contacting your professional references; (2) verification of previous employment, education and credentials; (3) a criminal background check; (4) use/abuse of federally-controlled substances; and (5) a department of motor vehicle check. Candidates must be prepared to fully-complete any required background check questionnaire during initial onboarding.

About the Organization

CAMRIS is known throughout the U.S. for its leading edge services to support our national programs and particularly for serving our Veterans. CAMRIS is also known worldwide for excellence serving client programs to improve economic, social, political, and health conditions of people in all parts of the world. For 45 years, since our first contact with USAID in 1963 and with work in every year since, our most important partner in the international sphere has been the United States Agency for International Development (“USAID”). In fact, CAMRIS has worked with USAID in each year since its founding. Before USAID we assisted its predecessor organizations dating back to the Kennedy Administration in 1961, to address humanitarian needs and to counter instability posed by underdevelopment. To date CAMRIS has carried out assignments for USAID in 50 countries in all regions and in many technical areas. Today CAMRIS continues this proud tradition as it works on significant USAID assignments in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our current work includes technical assistance to support major USAID-funded initiatives in the areas of Global Health, Democracy and Governance, Development, and Monitoring and Evaluation, and active assignments including several global initiatives and our present work in 24 countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe). ABOUT CAMRIS INTERNATIONAL CAMRIS is an International Development Consulting Firm working within the public and private sectors to advance the human and institutional capacities of organizations and communities worldwide. WHAT WE DO We apply a combination of proven interdisciplinary, scientific and management approaches to identify, develop and implement the most effective solutions in support of our clients' program goals. We do this most often in the areas of international development and global health, and selectively in additional areas where our cross-cutting capabilities are well suited to meet the needs of our clients. We operate in all regions of the world, often in very challenging or austere conditions. At all times our focus is on evidence-based effectiveness, quality, reliability, and sustainability. We successfully completed initiatives in nearly 80 countries to date. KEY CAPABILITIES * Short-Term and Long-Term Technical Assistance * Program Management Services * Institutional Support * Research and Analytic Support CORE PRACTICE AREAS * Monitoring and Evaluation * Capacity Building * Project Design * Knowledge Management * Adaptive Technologies * eLearning * Democracy and Governance * Infectious Diseases STAFF CAMRIS has grown rapidly over the last 5 years to a peak of 200 staff, complemented by highly experienced consultants and collaborating partners and universities. CAMRIS is headquartered in Bethesda, MD in the Washington DC metropolitan area, with remote offices, operations and worksites in various locations in the U.S. and overseas.