Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Organization: Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation, Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub (DDI/ITR)
Location of Position: Washington, DC. Eligible for telework three to eight days per pay period or potentially remote based.
Open Period: August 11, 2022 – September 1, 2022
Appointment Type: This is an excepted service, time-limited appointment that is not to exceed five years; may be considered for further extension for a maximum of nine years.
Salary: Foreign Service Pay Table (Washington, DC Locality)
Number of Vacancies: One

ITR is seeking an experienced, evidence-driven development professional to serve as a Foreign Service Limited ( FSL) Innovation Officer (Program Officer) in Development Innovation Ventures (DIV).

About DIV: DIV is USAID’s evidence-tiered, open innovation grant making program that provides risk-calibrated funding for cost-effective, scalable solutions to development challenges. DIV’s principles-based funding approach has proven immensely successful; its early portfolio has already returned $17 in social benefit for each dollar awarded. DIV is housed within ITR, which leads USAID’s work in expanding the identification, experimentation, exploration, and integration of innovative technologies, processes, and practices that amplify the success of USAID’s programming. ITR is housed within DDI, which integrates technical expertise with values-driven, cross-cutting priorities and modern approaches to the way USAID performs its work.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: All DDI employees are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All employees are expected to adhere to equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies and value diversity and inclusion in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.

About the Position: The DIV team is seeking an Innovation Officer to support strategic learning efforts and Agency engagement in order to help bring DIV’s funding principles and rigorously validated DIV-supported solutions to scale. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of development economics, as well as skills in implementation and operations. The incumbent will engage with and advise on DIV’s portfolio of grants and potential grantees, aggregate learnings across the DIV portfolio, and help bring lessons and proven solutions from the DIV portfolio to address Agency priorities, and support Mission and Bureau decisions, processes, and activities. Note: For more information about the position, please see Attachment 1 below.

Position Requirements: This person should meet the following criteria and possess these skills:

Five plus years of professional work experience, which may include an advanced degree, including in the implementation and operation of international development programs; Training in microeconomics; Demonstrated track record of building trusted relationships with partners; Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information in a way that can be understood by stakeholders with varying levels of technical and sectoral expertise; Quick learner and entrepreneurial problem solver who is able to identify areas for improvement, iterate, and deliver results; Highly organized with excellent project management skills. Comfort navigating situations with varying degrees of ambiguity in an environment in which priorities may shift; Must be a U.S. Citizen; and Must be eligible to maintain a Secret security clearance.

Preferences for a candidate:

Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business or a related field. A PhD in similar fields is welcome. Experience working and living in developing country contexts and with a diverse set of stakeholders is preferred. Experience working with federal grants is preferred. Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of those living in poverty in developing countries. Team player with a sense of humor rated at least 7.52 out of 10.

Submitting Expression of Interest: Expressions of interest are welcome from USAID staff who meet the above criteria. Interested candidates should submit:

Cover letter expressing interest and clearly addressing the stated requirements for the position (2 pages maximum); Resume or CV; Three references with contact information (name, title, email, and telephone), one of which must be a current or former supervisor; Stated security clearance level, if applicable; Stated U.S. citizenship (if citizenship is not stated, the application will not be considered); and DD214 and other veteran status, if applicable.

Please send all information by email to DDIFSLJobs@usaid.gov. Please label the subject line of the email: “FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Innovation Officer (Program Officer), FSL-02, DDI/ITR/I.” Application submissions are required by 11:59 p.m. EDT, September 1, 2022. Packages not submitted to the above email address by the deadline with the specified subject line—or incomplete packages—will not receive consideration.

Additional Resources include:

EEO Policy Statement Reasonable Accommodation Policy Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to: -- Sasha Gallant, DDI/ITR, sgallant@usaid.gov Notice 08104 Attachment 1: Foreign Service Limited Position Opportunity: Innovation Officer (Program Officer), FL-0343-02

This vacancy is archived.

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