USAID Program Cycle Senior Specialist I (Organizational Development, Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning)

Job Description

OPPORTUNITY

Program Cycle Specialists (PCM Specialists) are members of a network providing technical support and advisory services to USAID. They work across design, strategy development, monitoring, evaluation, and the set of USAID organizational learning practices (collaborating, learning, and adapting or CLA) to ensure cohesive connections among evidence generation processes and decision-making processes.

The PCM Specialists serve in an advisory and capacity-building role for Program Cycle-related functions (e.g., strategic planning, design, monitoring, evaluation, and CLA) within USAID Missions, Offices, Bureaus, and Operating Units. They are meant to supplement rather than substitute for existing Agency capacity. PCM Specialists fill critical gaps by working collaboratively with USAID teams to develop high quality products and processes that will serve as solid examples, models and guidance for future staff, as well as build the capacity of the staff involved in the process so that they are prepared to take the lead. All PCM Specialists build capacity and provide technical assistance to USAID staff on cohesive implementation of the USAID programming operational guidance as reflected in the USAID Program Cycle, in one or more of the following areas listed below. PCM Specialists may specialize in a functional area of the Program Cycle (e.g., Design Specialist, MEL specialist, M&E adviser, or CLA advisor), but are expected to bridge work across disciplines.

• Strengthening of USAID internal processes, procedures, and systems to improve the generation and utilization of data and evidence for adaptive management.
• Development and delivery materials, presentations, and training to familiarize staff and partners with strategic planning, theories of change, monitoring approaches, evaluation approaches, and applications of CLA principles and practice.
• Facilitating communities of practice or working groups to share and encourage good practices.
• Documenting learning about Program Cycle implementation and providing feedback back to PPL on the implementation and/or challenges of Program Cycle guidance, tools, methods, and approaches.

PCM Specialist Cohorts

PCM Specialists are recruited for their skills in design, research, monitoring, evaluation, and organizational learning functions and are matched to requests from specific USAID Missions and Washington offices. This position is part of a cohort of similar positions (called, Senior Program Cycle Specialists I, II, III, and IV) on USAID’s Program Cycle Mechanism. The position levels (I, II, III, IV) differ significantly in the level of professional consulting competency that are required.

• PCM Specialist I positions are most suitable for individuals who have technical expertise in foreign assistance, but minimal consulting or organizational development experience.
• PCM Specialist II and III positions require progressively extensive experience in consulting and organizational development capability in areas such as meeting management, client management, and the ability to lead complex work processes. Additionally, Specialist III positions require people who can independently lead the most complex product scoping and stakeholder engagement processes.
• PCM Specialist IV positions require extensive consulting and organizational development experience in the foreign assistance sector, preferably also within the US Government. Typically, these are widely-known and well-regarded experts with unique skills and knowledge.

At Environmental Incentives, our purpose is to create the conditions for human and natural communities to thrive. We do this by helping our partners improve the performance of conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, DC, South Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Nairobi, and Lima (pending registration). Our remote staff and consultants are based in multiple states within the United States, and across five continents. 

Specific Responsibilities

• Contributes to consistently high-quality products without requiring significant review in the above technical areas.
• Advances work while dealing with uncertainty and complex organizational structures and team dynamics.
• Builds the capacity of clients and EI staff related to one of the technical areas outlined in the Opportunity section.
• Makes key contributions to capacity development tools and modules for USAID to leverage with its staff, and serves as an advocate and coach for agency staff to develop confidence and expertise in the area.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in International Relations, Business, Organizational Development, or similar field and 7 years of relevant experience; Master’s degree and 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging clients and supporting development of products in the areas of monitoring, CLA, evaluation, program design, or strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience scoping and producing technical products.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Business, Organizational Development, or similar field and 10 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree and 8 years relevant experience.
• Consulting or employment experience with USAID or similar US government organization in the development or environment sectors.
• Experience working with USAID Program Cycle.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Facilitation skills, including process and meeting facilitation.
• Exceptional listening and problem-solving skills and ability to create long-term pathway for change in incremental, actionable steps.
• Demonstrated ability to advance equity and inclusion in leading the work of teams.
• Professional proficiency and ability to deliver client services in English; additional languages desirable (French and Spanish).

Additional Requirements

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a USG facility access or security clearance for work in the United States is required.
• For mission-based assignments: Ability and willingness to temporarily relocate to foreign locations.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States with no restrictions.
• Criminal background check required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The starting salary range for this position is dependent and commensurate with experience. Environmental Incentives also offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-funded medical, dental, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance for employees, and the option to enroll in supplemental life insurance.
• Highly competitive 401k contributions that start on day one of your employment. Did we mention we offer environmentally responsible investment options?
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time. You’ll also get paid time off opportunities each year to vote and volunteer at a charity of your choice!

BASE STATION AND COVID-19 POLICY

The position will be based in Washington, DC or in a USAID Mission. Environmental Incentives is implementing a hybrid work model in which employees will be required to work in the office approximately two days per week.

Proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 or legally authorized exemption is required for all Environmental Incentives employees working in the United States, regardless of office location or remote work. Selected candidates will be required to provide proof of full vaccination before beginning employment with Environmental Incentives. Full vaccination is defined as 2 weeks after the final dose of the requisite vaccination.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application no later than January 30, 2023. On a rolling basis throughout the application period, we will review applications and contact qualified candidates for additional information.

ENVIRONMENTAL INCENTIVES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

We are committed to developing an inclusive work environment for all employees, where diversity of thought, style, culture, and skill is valued in support of individual performance and potential, as well as our business goals and mission. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

Reasonable Accommodation:

Applicants with disabilities may contact Environmental Incentives coordinators via telephone, e-mail, and other means to request and arrange for accommodations. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time. Please contact Human Resources:

Andrew Alexandrovich

Chief Operating Officer

Phone: (202) 525-2450

E-mail: hr@enviroincentives.com

About the Organization

Environmental Incentives’ Mission is to enhance the environments that sustain healthy communities. We empower public and private sector leaders to maximize the effectiveness of their conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, DC, South Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Nairobi, and Lima (pending registration). Our remote staff and consultants are based in multiple states within the United States, and across five continents.