Local Works is seeking a Mission Support Program Analyst to provide technical and administrative support, with a primary focus on providing direct support to USAID Missions focused on locally led development. This position will primarily support the Local Works program, located in the Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships Hub within USAID’s Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI/LFT).
Background
Since 2015, USAID’s Local Works program has been at the forefront of locally led development, enhancing the Agency’s ability to empower local actors to lead their own development. Local Works provides funding and technical support to USAID Missions to expand and deepen relationships with local actors, to invest in the ability of local actors to sustainably resolve development challenges, and to facilitate learning that benefits the whole Agency.
Globally, the Local Works program spans 45 USAID Missions and over 150 current and planned awards. Mission Support Program Analysts play a critical role in advising Mission colleagues, sharing best practices, facilitating collaboration, and encouraging work that makes use of all tools available to advance locally led development at USAID. Local Works staff also work closely with the Unsolicited Solutions for Locally Led Development (US4LLD) program, a funding opportunity for meritorious, unsolicited applications that advance locally led development; the Small Project Assistance Program (SPA, in collaboration with Peace Corps); as well as support a number of co-created research and development initiatives; and manage the Locally Led Development Annual Program Statement (APS). The broader Local Works team includes colleagues specializing in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), policy, communications, and training.
Position Summary
The Mission Support Program Analyst (MSPA) position provides direct technical assistance, oversight and support to USAID Mission teams implementing locally led development programming under the Local Works program.
This opportunity offers a competitive salary range of $100,000 - $124,000, commensurate with experience and education. The MSPA role has a potential for international travel up to 10-15% of the year.
Key Responsibilities
Please note that this is an illustrative list of responsibilities -- MSPAs decide with their technical manager a manageable scope that reflects their experience, interests, and bandwidth.
USAID Mission Support:
- Providing remote and in-person technical support to USAID Missions utilizing locally led development approaches in program design, award, implementation, monitoring and learning, and adaptive management. Specifically, this includes:
- Training and advising USAID Mission staff and local partners in relevant program design approaches, which may include listening, systems/network analysis, asset-based community development, and constituent feedback, among others.
- Advising USAID Mission staff on acquisition and assistance and financial management approaches conducive to locally-led development, including co-creation; award types friendly to new partners; solicitation/application processes that reduce the barriers to entry for new, local partners; and fit-for-purpose pre-award assessments.
- Facilitating meetings and events with Mission staff and local stakeholders using collaborative and participant-led approaches, which may include onboarding Missions into the Local Works program; facilitating program design sessions; and leading regular check-in meetings.
- Supporting Missions to develop learning agendas, monitor and report progress, and capture learning, including through the development of knowledge products.
- Keeping track of Mission program budgets and facilitating funds transfers.
- Ensuring proper documentation on Mission programming.
- Managing files and folders related to Mission programming.
- Where it aligns with your Local Works Mission portfolio, serving as a point of contact for Missions making awards to local partners through the Unsolicited Solutions for Locally Led Development (US4LLD) program.
Team Collaboration & Culture:
- Collaborating with colleagues to develop knowledge products, training, and communications products to share Local Works and locally-led development lessons learned with internal and external stakeholders.
- Proactively pursuing your own professional development, including keeping track of emerging issues in Agency policy and the field of locally-led development and participating in required training.
- Fostering a team culture of collaboration, learning, and adaptation by proactively sharing and facilitating others to share lessons learned and areas of expertise. This may include developing short training sessions for peers, leading brown bags, giving informal presentations during team meetings, and facilitating after action reviews and pause and reflect sessions.
- Supporting the growth of the Local Works team and program by participating in some of the following:
- Serving as an onboarding buddy for new team members;
- Mentoring peers on specific tasks or as part of a Mission support team;
- Supporting the Local Works annual Mission selection process;
- Supporting the Local Works Mission Community of Practice, which may include serving as a regional point of contact and planning and facilitating in-person and virtual learning exchanges.
- Joining working groups to address program operational issues;
- Developing resources and job aids to assist the team in advising Missions more effectively; and
- Serving as a sector/topic point of contact.
- Supporting other administrative and programmatic needs for Local Works Missions and the IPI/LFT team as identified.
Requirements
- A passion for and lived experience with locally-led development, including experience living and/or working in developing countries.
- Knowledge and experience in the implementation of locally led program design approaches, including but not limited to listening, community engagement, co-creation, and systems approaches.
- Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in a relevant field with at least six years of experience relevant to this job description OR bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in a relevant field with at least eight years of experience relevant to this job description.
- Experience with international development project analysis, design, implementation, management, administration, reporting, monitoring, procurement, financial operations, and training.
- Experience facilitating small and large groups using collaborative and participant-led approaches.
- Demonstrated cross-cultural, interpersonal, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to write internal and public-facing documents, emails, and other communications that clearly express ideas and require limited editing by others.
- Ability to perform tasks independently with limited direction.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
- Familiarity with USAID Program Cycle and regulations.
- Ability to obtain a USAID Facilities Access Clearance.
Instructions for Applicants:
- Please submit a resume and cover letter to apply for this position. The cover letter should be tailored to specifically address your interest in and experience with locally-led development, including your lived and professional experience.
- Don’t check off every box in the qualifications listed above? Please apply anyway! From RP's inception, Diversity & Inclusion have always been key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for improving people's lives. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and many other parts of one’s identity. All of our employee’s points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility. We encourage all to apply to this role for the opportunity to join the RP team!
Benefits
- Health Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental
- 4% retirement match with 100% vesting
- Company paid STD and LTD
- Company paid basic life insurance
- Competitive PTO package
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This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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