Emerging Technology Advisor I

Position description

This position is in USAID’s Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI), in the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub. Within IPI, the ITR Hub leads USAID in research and experimentation, digital development, and open innovation to transform development. The ITR Hub takes smart risks to test innovative ideas and brings together diverse partners to scale impact. Working collaboratively with the Agency and external partners, ITR’s mission is to identify, expand, and integrate innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches by utilizing exploration, experimentation, and testing innovative solutions, methods, and technologies.

Within the ITR Hub, the incumbent will specifically support the Technology Division. As the Agency’s experts in digital development, the Technology Division works to address gaps in digital access and adoption and advance the use of technology and geospatial analysis in development and humanitarian assistance, while also managing the risks that digital technology introduces into the lives of the communities we serve.

As an integral part of the team, the Emerging Technology Advisor I will support the responsible use of digital tools to improve development outcomes. The Emerging Technology Advisor I develop insights, manage projects, and guide Agency stakeholders on the implications that a range of emergent and innovative digital technologies pose for international development. Illustrative technologies or fields that the incumbent would be familiar with include big data, artificial intelligence/machine learning, open APIs, digital IDs, cloud computing, 5G, internet-of-things (IoT), distributed ledger technology, and others. The incumbent employs a range of tasks for this work, from conducting outreach with key stakeholder groups to developing partnerships to shed light on implications posed by specific technologies for development, to developing and managing programs on key issues in this area, to developing tools and resources for Agency stakeholders (especially USAID Missions and operating units) that facilitate effective programming in this area.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct research and analysis on emerging technology questions relevant to the Technology Division’s strategy (e.g., investigating the impact of distributed ledger technologies across sectors in developing countries, exploring how AI will impact education and employment in developing countries, considering how new technologies could contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation). From this research, develop high-quality reports, briefs, memos, and/or infographics to appropriately embed research findings within the Division’s (or Agency’s) programs and operations.
• Collaborate with external partners (both domestic and international) to help oversee research related to the evolution of digital ecosystems in developing countries and “appropriate use” of tools using emerging technology such as machine learning, blockchain, or digital identity.
• Direct the development of a portfolio of tools for translating Emerging Technology policy recommendations into action throughout the Agency and broader development community. Convene key members of the academic, think tank, and USAID community to elevate the discussion of the Emerging Technology team’s research findings and identify opportunities to better support Agency objectives.
• Build an approach for strategic engagement with both Agency-internal and external stakeholders to establish and expand the team’s impact.
• Manage projects funded by the team, including monitoring, and supporting grantee progress, building opportunities for learning exchange among grantees and relevant stakeholders, and growing existing projects for scale and sustainability.
• Support technical assistance engagements to help Agency colleagues apply emerging technologies in a way that will be effective, safe, and responsible. The Fellow would support these engagements for anywhere from 1 month to several months depending on the scope of the project.
• Assist with the implementation of the Agency’s Artificial Intelligence Action Plan and USAID’s actions under the Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence (EO 14110).
• Provide support for the team’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) needs with relevant Agency counterparts.

Required Qualification, Education, and Experience

• A master’s degree and seven (7) years of relevant professional-level experience is minimally required; however, Ph.D. applicants with no less than five (5) years of experience are highly preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of USG foreign policy priorities and programming.
• Strong project management skills, including experience working in cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and people skills, including the ability to effectively engage with a diversity of stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, including the ability to multitask well in a demanding environment.
• Demonstrated ability to creatively problem solve, and a passion for impact.

USAID Assumptions and Constraints

• Staff working on this effort must possess the ability to obtain a current Secret clearance.
• Requires compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d); USAID Graphic Standards (available at www.usaid.gov/branding), USAID Mission & Core Values (available at http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/mission-vision-values) or any successor branding/mission/core values policies.
• Requires collaboration with USAID IPI and other operational units.

Estimated Schedule

• Full-time

Place of Performance:

• Washington, DC – Ronald Reagan Building (RRB). Onsite support with flexible telework.
• Travel – Some International and Domestic Travel

 

Application instructions

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