Job Description
Global Communities is an international development non-profit organization. Our mission is to create long-lasting, positive and community-led change that improves the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people across the globe.
Global Communities is seeking a Senior Technical Specialist I - Economic Development, to join its Development and Technical Services group at the headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The Senior Technical Specialist leads the development and technical implementation of new Economic Development projects. He/she pursues new business development; provides leadership to the group; builds in-house technical support capacity for current field programming; and ensures program development needs are met. Primary job responsibilities include:
- Develop and expand business development strategy. Monitor and assess opportunities and provide guidance on potential responses. Pursue or expand strategic partnerships. Conduct field assessments for developing new programs/proposals. Lead proposal development and serves as lead technical writer or reviewer on proposal teams.
- Respond to requests from the field for tools, methods, resources and best practices. Provide technical assistance in assessments, program design and field operations.
- Ensure qualified staff and consultants are hired and oriented. Develop mechanisms for technical knowledge exchange and assist with knowledge dissemination across programs. Provide learning opportunities for staff and facilitate professional development. Identify training needs, write manuals and training materials and conduct field training.
- Monitor and evaluate program quality by ensuring programs develop sound M&E systems.
- Stay up to date on best practices. Present Global Communities’ work and program potential at conferences.
- Expand Global Communities’ visibility and broader participation in the economic development arena. Coordinate public relations and marketing efforts. Develop and edit marketing materials.
- Manage assigned operation, activities and staff.
- Undertake all other duties and projects as may be assigned from time to time.
Required Skills
- Demonstrated command of international economic development practices in a variety of sub-topics relevant to Global Communities’ core capacity and interests (market development, enterprise development, workforce development, development finance, private sector development, business enabling environment and local economic development). Willingness to stay abreast of and adapt to emerging approaches in economic development.
- Ability to travel approximately 30% of time.
- Critical thinking skills and sound judgment. Proven willingness to make timely and sound decisions based on accurate judgment.
- Excellent English oral and written communication skills. Proven ability to effectively communicate with others.
- Some degree of fluency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic preferred.
- Good interpersonal skills with ability to build personal relationships with staff, donor partners and government leaders at all levels in a culturally sensitive manner. Proven flexibility and adaptability.
- Ability to successfully manage a team with varying sub-specialties, including training and development of local staff.
- Proven ability to learn quickly, apply knowledge, manage deadlines, work independently with minimal supervision on familiar assignments, submit high-quality work plans, prioritize workload and multi-task in fast-paced environment.
- Proven ability to effectively use databases, spreadsheet, word processing, and position-specific software.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to read and interpret documents and ability to sit at a computer and operate a keyboard.
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics or related field.
- Minimum 8-10 years of related experience managing multi-million dollar USG-funded programs in developing countries, including economic development programs. Extensive experience in business development and writing successful proposals to a variety of donors a must.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
- Must have U.S. Work Authorization
Global Communities is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels (EEO/AA - Minorities/Females/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities).
Job Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular
NOTE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
