USAID TAPS Program Specialist - Center for Water Security, Sanitation, and Hygiene (Water and Sanitation Technical Services Division)

REFS - Center for Water Security, Sanitation and Hygiene

Water and Sanitation Technical Services Division

Program Specialist

Background and Introduction:

Jefferson Solutions was awarded a five-year contract to provide technical, administrative, and programmatic support to the Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS). Through REFS, USAID works to advance inclusive agriculture-led growth, resilience, nutrition, environmental sustainability, infrastructure and energy, and water security, sanitation and hygiene initiatives in priority countries around the world to help accelerate and protect development progress.

The Program Specialist will provide programmatic, administrative, and operational support for the day-to-day design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning of REFS-related programs and activities. The Program Specialist will provide all functions needed to support Bureau or Operating Unit leadership and teams to operate effectively, and to meet overall objectives.

Position Summary:

The Program Specialist will support day-to-day functions of the Technical Supervisor to which they are assigned for day-to-day work assignments. Daily activities will include aspects of program assistance and coordination, knowledge management, communications and outreach, budget formulation and monitoring, policy analysis, gender analysis, and program management.

Description of Role:

The successful candidate will serve in the Center for Water Security, Sanitation, and Hygiene's (CW's) Division for Water and Sanitation Technical Services (REFS/CW/WSTS) and will work closely with a multi-disciplinary staff to address key development challenges in the water sector pursuant to USAID's Water and Development Plan under the U.S. Global Water Strategy. REFS/CW/WSTS facilitates state-of-the-art programming in water and sanitation across USAID's Missions and other Operating Units, by providing on-demand, evidence-based technical assistance across the Program Cycle; generating sector-specific research and analytics; designing and delivering trainings; and managing central awards. The successful candidate will contribute to and perform a variety of technical, coordination/collaboration, and program management duties as described below. This position will include some limited (~5-10%) international travel.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Coordination, Assistance, and Management

• Serves as key liaison with other Offices and Centers to gather information and collaborate with others in the Bureau or Agency, as needed;
• Develop and maintain trackers for use throughout the Center for Water;
• Provide Activity Management of Agency-funded programs as appropriate;
• Provide program management support according to the needs of the Center for Water;
• Provide logistical support to organize meetings, schedule conference rooms as necessary and ensure proper equipment and materials are available for meetings at least one day prior;
• Capture and distribute meeting minutes, summaries of conclusions, and action items; and
• Provide support to Mission staff to manage programs through all phases of the program cycle, to include program design, procurement, monitoring, evaluation, continuous learning, budget formulation and monitoring, etc.

Knowledge Management

• Generate and maintain documents and spreadsheets using the Google Suite of tools
• Save documents and maintain file structures using USAID portals;
• Develop and maintain internal trackers including for logistics and milestone tracking;
• Track and follow clearances for Bureau documentation and ensure that formal documentation is of high quality;
• Maintain awareness of and follow Agency and Federal guidelines for file retention.

Communications and Outreach

• Serve as key liaison to manage incoming requests or external outreach within or outside of USAID on behalf of the Center for Water;
• Develop templates and support preparation of PowerPoint slide decks, fact sheets, briefers, talking points, blog posts, newsletters and other communications materials;
• Support generation and/or management of intranet, internet, or social media site content;
• Researches and prepares background information such as briefers, one-pagers, and/or talking points in partnership with colleagues.

Budget Formulation and Monitoring

• Track and monitor Center for Water program funds;
• Support budget reviews, budget implementation process, and respond to data calls;
• Prepare action memos/funds transfer requests;
• Support A/CORs with GLAAS requisitions.

Research and Analysis

• Provide desk research, simple data analysis, and interpret data as needed;
• Support data syntheses and analyses reports; present findings;
• Collaborate to develop and socialize research strategies.

Qualifications:

• An MA/MS and a minimum of three years of experience or a BA/BS and a minimum of 4 years' experience. An Associate's and 8 years' experience or a high school diploma and an 11 years' work experience can be substituted for a BA/BS;
• Ability to obtain a USAID facility access (Public Trust) clearance;
• Excellent oral, interpersonal, and written communications skills to effectively interact with government clients, high-ranking officials, and other stakeholders;
• Strong prioritization and organization skills with keen attention to deadlines;
• Excellent anticipatory skills and proactive approach to work;
• Positive and professional attitude and demeanor;
• Detail-oriented and interested in producing quality work products;
• Proficiency in Google Suite of products;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite of products including excel, word, and PowerPoint;
• Experience with USAID, USG or other related organizations is a plus.