OverviewBackground:
The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) supports the Agency in improving the effectiveness of its programming and broader global engagement by bringing strong economic theory and evidence to bear on USAID’s work. The Office, led by the Chief Economist, focuses on three strategic pillars: (1) promoting the use of cost-effectiveness evidence in Agency decision-making, (2) promoting the generation of cost-effectiveness evidence that the Agency is uniquely placed to catalyze, and (3) providing macroeconomic analysis and advice to Agency leadership. Recognizing the wide range of economic matters that bear on USAID’s work and the relevance of economic theory and evidence to the Agency’s work broadly, the Office also provides counsel directly to Agency leadership on high-priority economic matters and economics-based advice and input on Agency strategies, policies, and initiatives.
Scope of Work:
The OCE Senior Policy Advisor will provide strategic support and advice, thought leadership, and coordination, spearheading strategic initiatives and special projects, within the Office and supporting OCE’s engagement across USAID. The position will report to the Deputy Chief Economist and Office Director, and closely engage with the Chief Economist and OCE’s three Deputy Office Directors and their teams. This position provides an opportunity to support a small, dynamic Office engaging in exciting work with collaborators across the Agency, including in Operating Units in Washington, DC and Missions around the world.
Responsibilities - Strategic support for OCE leadership and senior management: Provide strategic support and advice to the Chief Economist, Deputy Chief Economist and Office Director, and three Deputy Office Directors, including on legislative affairs and engagement with the USAID Front Office and interagency. Maintain awareness of emerging Agency priorities and surface opportunities for OCE to support them.
- Strategic initiatives: Identify the need for and, under supervision, execute high-priority strategic initiatives and special projects, especially those that are cross-functional in nature and benefit from strong coordination across teams within OCE. Support prioritization and execution.
- Relationship and Stakeholder Engagement: Support maintenance of exceptional relationships throughout USAID, the broader U.S. development policy community, private sector partners, and beyond, that enable OCE to further OCE’s and USAID’s, mission. Support OCE leadership to represent the Agency on priority issue areas, internally within USAID and externally. Identify relationships, including with private sector partners, that OCE leadership and senior management should build and support development of those relationships.
- Communication and Engagement: Develop work products (e.g., memos, presentations) for strategic internal and external engagement. Support staff across OCE in producing high-quality work products, especially those for which the audience is senior principals, including in the Agency Front Office. Set vision for and planning of biannual OCE staff retreats, with the logistical support of a Program Assistant. Support OCE leadership and senior management in ensuring they are communicating proactively, transparently, and effectively with OCE staff.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications- Active secret clearance preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, political science, social or behavioral sciences, international development, or a related field and at least five (5) years of relevant experience in international development.
- Significant experience collaborating closely with and providing strategic support to senior executives
- Exceptional skills navigating and solving complex problems that do not have obvious solutions
- In-depth knowledge of the USAID operating environment, including systems, processes, and norms
- In-depth understanding of the U.S. development policy landscape, including non-government organizations, Congressional stakeholders and issues, etc.
- Exceptional interpersonal and strategic relationship-building and relationship management skills and ability to be diplomatic and tactful in dealing with internal and external stakeholders and senior leadership
- Exceptional communication skills (verbal and written)
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
- Exceptional ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, demanding work environment with competing and shifting priorities
- Exceptional ability to efficiently multitask and prioritize workload accordingly
- US citizenship
- Familiarity with and experience communicating about one or more technical topics at the center of OCE’s work, such as impact evaluation evidence or the development impact of macroeconomic distress
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