Technical Specialist Jobs in Virginia

Company Description

Social Impact (SI) is a Washington, DC-area international development management consulting firm. SI’s mission is to improve the effectiveness of international development programs in improving people’s lives. We provide a full range of management consulting, technical assistance, and training services to strengthen international development programs, organizations, and policies. We provide services globally in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, project and program design, organizational capacity building, and gender and social analysis. SI services cross-cut all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. SI’s clients include US government agencies such as USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the US Department of State, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and non-profits.

Job Description

Technical Specialist, Strategy, Performance and Capacity Building (SPCB)

Social Impact, Arlington, VA

Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

JOB SUMMARY

The Technical Specialist will provide technical management and support for a portfolio of Strategy, Performance and Capacity Building (SPCB) services. The Technical Specialist will work with government agencies, their implementing partners, foundations, multilateral organizations, and other clients to develop results-oriented strategies; program, project, and activity level MEL plans; and training curricula, technical assistance, and other capacity-building services related to strategic planning, performance management, data quality, and compliance with U.S. Government regulations for results-oriented management.

The Technical Specialist will lead or support SI technical delivery of an array of performance management-related activities, including design and delivery of training and assessments, and provide program management for a number of client contracts. In addition to project-specific tasks, the Technical Specialist will support the continued growth of SPCB through proposal development, fostering strong relationships with existing and new clients, and participating in outreach and dissemination activities including conference presentations and publication, as well as participating in internal initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Technical delivery and management

The Technical Specialist will be responsible for providing technical assistance and leading or supporting technical delivery of strategic planning, performance management, and capacity-building activities and other tasks, as appropriate. This will include:

• Serving as a team member on SI contracts related to development of Country Development Cooperation Strategies (CDCSs), Operations Strategies, PMPs, Data Quality Assessments, CLA plans, Mission Management Assessments, and organizational development and capacity-building engagements.

• Being engaged throughout the strategic planning, performance management, and capacity-building cycle, with responsibilities including: conceptualizing assessments and SPCB activity designs; participating in scoping trips and background research and producing syntheses thereof; developing tools and approaches for SPCB services; designing and carrying out organizational analyses; designing and delivering training on SPCB topics; and drafting and editing written reports.

• Troubleshooting, coordinating, and enhancing the technical quality of SI external consultants’ work by providing quality assurance and support on project deliverables.

Departmental support

The Technical Specialist will be expected to support SPCB through the development of technical resources, provision of internal trainings, and engagement in technical mentoring/coaching of more junior SI staff.

Business development

The Technical Specialist will be expected to participate in proposal development in support of new business. S/he will collaborate with SI’s Business Development team to help identify new opportunities, write technical and related sections for proposals, review draft proposals, make referrals of outside consultants and staff to be included in proposals, and support the pricing team by reviewing Level of Effort estimates for proposal budgets.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated expertise in multiple SPCB services (management consulting, strategy, CLA, organizational development, capacity-building, performance management, and training).

• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills.

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under tight deadlines.

• Knowledge of USAID, MCC, DOS, USDA, DFID, and other donors.

• Ability to develop, update, and deliver training on SPCB subject matter.

• Ability to travel overseas for short-term assignments.

• Proficiency in a foreign language, such as Spanish or French preferred.

Qualifications

A Master’s degree and a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience (5-7 years preferred) in such subject areas as business administration, economics, statistics, public policy, international development, or other related social sciences.

Experience in performance monitoring, strategic planning or capacity building in developing countries.

Experience working in developing countries preferred.

Experience in the health sector a plus.

Additional Information

Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.