AoA/BCA System Acquisition Analyst

Job Type:

Diversity at RAND

Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential operating principles at RAND. We are committed to maintaining a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff, where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person's talents and strengths. This commitment is guided by an organization-wide framework for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and paired with significant investments to sustain and center these principles in leadership, research, and community and stakeholder engagement. An advisory council comprised of staff at all levels provides critical feedback and perspective on the organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion plans and activities. Employee Resource Groups are staff-driven grassroots communities that seek to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at RAND by facilitating community, connection, and a greater sense of belonging and well-being among colleagues. In our recruitment and retention efforts, we seek unique backgrounds, original views, and diversity in academic training, work experience, and ideological outlook.

Position Description

RAND is seeking highly motivated analysts and experienced practitioners who would like to apply their system acquisition expertise to Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), Business Case Analysis (BCA), and other related analyses to directly impact government acquisition policy. The U.S. federal government spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year to acquire and sustain systems that support our national and homeland security. RAND AoA/BCA System Acquisition Analysts assist with research that informs the policies and decisions surrounding system acquisition strategy and operations. They contribute to multidisciplinary project teams to analyze acquisition policy problems where the technical details matter.

Acquisition research and analysis are carried out by four federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) that focus on U.S. national and homeland security policy issues. AoA/BCA System Acquisition Analysts share and uphold RAND's values to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity, which has secured RAND's reputation for excellence and attracts studies that often pose novel challenges in analysis, modeling, research design, and computing. Analysts apply their skills in novel and flexible ways to emerging problems at the cutting edge of their fields and apply their insights to critical policy issues.

Responsibilities:

The AoA/BCA System Acquisition Analyst will use their expertise in AoAs, BCAs, and other related analyses, coupled with their technical and methodological skills (e.g., in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, and physical sciences) to:

• Contribute to the development of research approaches to solve complex government acquisition policy problems.

• Execute key project tasks (e.g., data collection, data or policy analysis, tool design, and other analytic tasks) within an area of substantive training or experience required by the research project.

• Apply a broad range of analytically rigorous, quantitative and/or qualitative research tools, methods, and skills in order to support complex acquisition research activities and/or research project management needs.

• Assist in communicating the results of research to decision-makers through documents, PowerPoint briefings, and other media.

Qualifications

Successful applicants will have demonstrated technical or methodological skills, and/or domain knowledge in one or more BCA or AoA-related areas. Examples of these skills and knowledge include:

• Cost analysis

• Requirements analysis

• Capability and/or effectiveness analysis

• Risk and/or benefit analysis in support of acquisition decisions

• Acquisition/procurement policy and statute (e.g., JRC, JCIDS, FAR, PPBE)

Experience applying these skills to AoAs or BCAs for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Department of Defense (DoD) systems is preferred.

All analyst positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

Education Requirements

A Master's degree with at least 2 years of relevant professional experience, or bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, is required.Candidates with degrees in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, physical sciences, or related fields are preferred.

Experience

Relevant professional experience should demonstrate the applicant's ability to execute analysis forBCAs, AoAs or related research using analytically rigorous methods.

Successful applicants with more than 10 years of professional experience will have demonstrated leadership experience through the following activities: mentoring or developing junior staff members; leading and directing multi-disciplinary teams; setting project standards and monitoring progress; engaging with stakeholders; and communicating research results to policy-making audiences.

Security Clearance

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.Please note that U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Location

Santa Monica,CA;Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA; Offsite work arrangements will be considered.

Application Materials

• Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications.

• CV, cover letter, and a writing sample are required (PDF documents are preferred). The writing sample can use a recent, previously written paper or report (e.g., journal article, master's thesis or paper written for coursework, prior employment, or internship). Applicants with fields of study or work experience in which they have not produced written products (e.g., model development), or in which written products have dissemination restrictions, may submit a short, written summary (i.e., less than one page) of one or more recent products they have developed.

Salary Range

Analyst I: $70,800 - $92,100

Analyst II: $85,800 - $111,600

Analyst III: $97,600 - $134,200

Analyst IV: $111,500 - $161,750

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet