FSL Opportunity: Evidence Specialist (Program Officer) (U.S. Citizens only)

Overview

Support and enhance evidence generation for impactful development grants

You have:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be eligible to maintain a Secret security clearance
• At least one year of specialized experience at grade level FS-03 or GS-13
• Experience reviewing impact evaluations, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
• Design and implement rigorous, policy-relevant research and randomized evaluations in developing country contexts
• Ability to design and interpret rigorous research with an understanding of practicalities of implementation
• Seven plus years of professional work experience in international development research and implementation
• Training in microeconomics
• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, or related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized with excellent project management skills
• Experience evaluating international development interventions in the health sector
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in using rigorous evidence to address development challenges
• 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

Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Organization: Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation, Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub (IPI/ITR) Location of Position: Washington, DC Telework: Eligible for telework three to eight days per pay period Remote: The position is not remote eligible. Open Period: March 15, 2024 – April 5, 2024 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: $132,860 – $191,900, annually Number of Vacancies: One

Organization Description: Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) is USAID’s tiered-evidence, open innovation grantmaking 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 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 IPI, which integrates technical expertise with values-driven, cross-cutting priorities and modern approaches to the way USAID performs its work.

Position Description: The DIV team is seeking an FSL-02 Program Officer (“Evidence Specialist”) to support DIV’s large and growing grant portfolio with particular attention to applications and grants generating rigorous evidence of impact, the majority of which include randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The incumbent will work with key members of the DIV team to strengthen the rigor of evidence generated by DIV grantees and share learnings across the team and Agency. The incumbent will apply existing knowledge of cost-effectiveness and relevant academic literature to DIV’s diligence and grant management process. The incumbent will also support DIV’s grant portfolio and Agency scaling work through Agreement Officer’s Representative duties and Agency engagement. The ideal candidate has a proven record reviewing, supporting, and/or conducting rigorous impact evaluations of development interventions, particularly RCTs, and applying learnings for evidence-based decision-making and social impact.

Major Responsibilities and Duties: Please see the attached file.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. citizen;
• Must be eligible to maintain a Secret security clearance;
• At least one year of specialized experience at grade level FS-03 or GS-13. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:
  • Reviewing impact evaluations, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and assessing whether they provide credible evidence of program effectiveness;
  • Designing and implementing rigorous, policy-relevant research and randomized evaluations in developing country contexts; and
  • Ability to design and interpret rigorous research with a clear understanding of the practicalities of implementation.

Preferences for a candidate:

• Seven plus years of professional work experience, with significant experience in international development research and implementation. This may include graduate-level education;
• Training in microeconomics;
• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, or a related field;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information in a way that can be understood by stakeholders with varying levels of technical background;
• Highly organized with excellent project management skills. Comfort navigating situations with varying degrees of ambiguity in an environment in which priorities may shift;
• Experience working on and/or evaluating international development interventions in the health sector;
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in the use of rigorous evidence to address development challenges;
• Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of those living in poverty in developing countries; and
• 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 or external candidates who meet the above criteria. Interested candidates should submit:

• Cover letter expressing interest and clearly addressing the stated requirements for the position (two pages maximum);
• Resume or CV. Candidates must include the months, years, and the number of hours worked per week for each position listed;
• 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 within email (if citizenship is not stated, the application will not be considered);
• DD214 and other veteran records, if applicable; and
• Documentation if serving as a current/former political appointee (SF-50s, appointment letter, etc.).

Please send all information to IPIFSLJobs@usaid.gov with the subject line: “FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Evidence Specialist (Program Officer), FSL-02, IPI/ITR/I.” Application submissions are required by 11:59 p.m. ET, April 5, 2024. Packages not submitted to the above email address by the deadline with the specified subject line—or incomplete packages—will not receive consideration. This notice may be used to fill additional vacancies, as the workforce needs of the Bureau may change.

USAID Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commitment USAID envisions a world where all individuals are valued, have equitable access to opportunities, and are included, respected, and safe in their societies. USAID embraces diversity as outlined in USAID’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement. We seek to elevate and include the voices of the USAID workforce, recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of all stakeholders. USAID also strives to improve equity for underrepresented communities that have historically been denied fair and just treatment and improve accessibility in all facets at USAID.

Additional resources include:

• EEO Policy Statement
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy
• Foreign Service Salaries - Careers (state.gov)
• Healthcare & Insurance - OPM.gov

Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to:

-- Alexander Riehm, IPI/ITR, ariehm@usaid.gov

File: FSL Opportunity: Evidence Specialist (Program Officer) Major Responsibilities and Duties

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: usaid.gov