Sr. Technical Advisor, Inclusive Development - Highlight Technologies

USAID’s ID Hub advances foreign assistance to be more responsive to the needs and priorities of people who are marginalized, underrepresented, or made vulnerable. The ID Hub serves as the Agency’s leader in promoting integrated development approaches to ensure full social participation in the development process by all involved, specifically by promoting participation from the world’s underrepresented, historically marginalized groups. The ID Hub’s policies and efforts promote inclusion, equity, and protections for LGBTQI+ people, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, children in adversity and their families, victims of torture, youth, and marginalized racial and ethnic groups. USAID defines inclusive development as “an equitable development approach built on the understanding that every individual and community, of all diverse identities and experiences, is instrumental in the transformation of their own societies. Their engagement throughout the development process leads to better outcomes.”  For more information on the ID Hub, please see our website.

The Advisor will provide technical expertise and guidance to various ID Hub teams working on inclusion and equity issues.  The Advisor position will be located in the ID Hub Program Office and will be based in Washington, DC., working a minimum of two days per week in the office. This is a long-term position with a start date on or around October 7, 2024. This position requires 25 percent travel and a secret level security clearance.

Key responsibilities include supporting and contributing to strategic planning, teamwork planning, and technical assistance; program design; project monitoring and assessment; communication with USAID personnel, other federal government personnel, grantees, technical experts, and the general public; report writing; situation analysis; and ad hoc tasks.

The Inclusive Development Senior Technical Advisor will support equity and inclusion in the following ways:

• Support coordination across the ID Hub on cross-cutting inclusion and equity issues and contribute to advancing other Agency priorities, such as mental health and rehabilitation/assistive technologies.
• Support budget planning and results reporting for efforts of cross-cutting inclusion and equity work in the ID Hub, including for the ID Hub’s portions of the Agency Equity Action Plan, State-USAID Joint Strategic Plan, and Agency Priority Goals.
• Provide technical guidance and support for select teams, including but not limited to inclusion and equity, mental health, and rehabilitation/assistive technology teams.
• Support strategic planning and work planning with ID Hub teams, including but not limited to the inclusion and equity, mental health, and rehabilitation/assistive technology teams.
• Provide direct support (virtual or TDY) to USAID Missions to advance critical initiatives, bilateral/regional development objectives, and/or operational targets and goals.
• Provide advice to senior Agency leaders on technical policy and approaches.
• Apply, and foster application of, state-of-the-art evidence, innovation, and contextual awareness methodologies to appropriate programs, projects, and coalitions.
• Provide coordination support for partnering with international agencies, other donors, private-sector organizations, and NGOs to achieve objectives.
• Provide input with regard to policy and programs on issues related to inclusive development, non-discrimination, and protections.
• Provide technical support on inclusive development, non-discrimination, and protections across the Program Cycle (strategy, project/activity design and implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and resource planning).
• Maintain a supportive working relationship with partners with the aim of achieving project objectives by critically reviewing project descriptions, work plans, quarterly reports, financial expenditures, and other documents; having regular exchanges (via e-mail, virtual meetings, phone); and making on-site visits to assess progress of activities, follow-up on issues identified, and provide relevant technical guidance.
• Collaborate with Inclusive Development Hub colleagues and other technical experts to coordinate programming and develop relevant guidance materials and tools.
• Contribute to addressing cross-cutting Inclusive Development Hub and Agency priorities, including advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in international development, public health, community development, or another relevant discipline.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience working on international development, at least five years of which includes being based overseas.
• Track record of developing and delivering technical solutions and high-quality work products on schedule.
• Experience leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of large, complex strategic initiatives in international development.
• Experience working with donor-funded programs, including the provision of technical assistance to field offices.
• Experience leading international inclusive development efforts.
• Experience leading teams.
• Experience with staff planning, training, and supporting new staff.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing complex technical issues to generalist audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work diplomatically and collaboratively, build consensus, and bridge diverse perspectives and interests with a geographically and culturally diverse group of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and adapt within a complex environment, including in field locations.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise considerable independent judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to stay highly organized, with excellent follow-through.
• Ability to obtain a secret level clearance.
• Ability to travel for 1-1.5 weeks at a time for up to 4 trips per year to countries where USAID has programming.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 years or more experience working on international development, at least five years of which includes being based overseas.
• Experience working with, soliciting feedback from, and facilitating projects with members of the intended beneficiary population.
• Management and supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated interest in inclusive development, social justice, and engagement with historically marginalized groups.
• 10 years or more experience of managing international development programs with knowledge of donor practices and requirements.

All members of IPI are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All members of the Bureau are expected to value diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.

For over ten years, Highlight has provided Development and Modernization, Secure IT, and Mission Solution services to our federal government customers. Our team knows the technology; we understand how our customers and their stakeholders work; and we know how to implement industry best practices to deliver high-quality, end-to-end solutions that minimize risk and maximize results.

Since our inception, Highlight has had an employee-first mindset. Our mission is to provide employees with rewarding and impactful career opportunities. In 2021, Highlight’s founder, Rebecca Andino, implemented an Employee Stock Ownership Plan to embody and expand our culture of transparency, teamwork and rewarding the work of our employees. By becoming an ESOP, our employee-owners share in the success of the company through their ownership stake. To learn more about ESOPS, check out: www.esopinfo.org. 

We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that empowers our people to fearlessly drive change - regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics. Our team is dedicated to foster diversity within our teams to promote creativity, innovation, and teamwork to deliver the best solutions for our customers.

To receive compensation and benefits information for this role, contact us or email us at Recruiting@HighlightTech.com  Please include the Req ID (this is at the top of the posting under the position title) in the subject line of the email.

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