Senior Technical Advisor, Democracy and Governance

At a Glance

Role: Senior Technical Advisor, Democracy and Governance

Location: Washington, D.C. USA or Remote within U.S.

Reports to: Senior Director, Resource Mobilization and Collaboration

Required Experience: Master’s degree required. Related professional experience, or research institution experience required; 6 years. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Must be able to establish strong relationships cross-culturally. Proven work experience securing and/or managing significant funding from institutional donors.

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S.A. for any employer.

Travel: Up to 25% of time both in development and fragile contexts.

Salary Range: $100,000 – $125,000 annually.

The Job:

World Vision is looking for a Senior Technical Advisor (STA) within the Resource Development team. The STA will serve as the lead technical advisor for World Vision United States’ work related to Democracy and Governance. S/he will position World Vision as a leader in innovative and quality sector responses, representing World Vision’s programming in the sector to major public and private donors, foundations, NGOs, research and learning partners, private sector partners and other professional organizations.

The STA will support the acquisition of critical public and private funding resources as well as in building and strengthening partnerships/ networks with donors and other agencies. Primary clients for this position are WVUS’ IPG sector teams. The STA will provide technical assistance and capacity building support for the sectors/ projects and Field Offices (as needed). S/he will also help carry out our Christian organization’s mission, vision, and strategies.

S/he will personify the ministry of World Vision by witnessing to Christ and ministering to others through life, deed, word and sign.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

1. Keep Christ central in individual and corporate life. Actively participate in and contribute to the spiritual disciplines of the organization (Christian conduct, devotions, chapel, prayer, worship); incorporate WV Core Values into decisions within scope of role.
2. Resource Acquisition: Provide technical support to teams acquiring funding (grants) from US government agencies and private donors and increase ministry reach/coverage of quality and high-impact sector programs.
   • Lead sector-specific support to acquisition of USG and support to private program fundraising.
   • Write pertinent technical sections of complex proposals.
   • Identify and assess a range of funding opportunities and contribute to the development of cross-sectoral programming.
   • Contribute to project and proposal development, standard-setting, tools development for capacity building, and setting and monitoring of milestones.
3. Program Quality and Impact: Provide sector-specific technical support to WVUS’ IPG’s Program Implementation teams.
   • Participate in the technical oversight of grant-funded projects and portfolios, including standard setting, tools development, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation.
   • Review and provide sectoral feedback on implementation reports for public and private grants.
   • Support the development and dissemination of evidence and best practices.
   • Provide strategic technical guidance on sector-specific issues to ensure that promising practices, new developments, and lessons learned are incorporated into programming.
   • Provide operational framework, strategies, and mechanisms for programming with the field to drive quality results.
4. Strategic External Engagement and WV Partnership Engagement: Cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships with various donor agencies and institutions (USG federal agencies, selected foundations, multilateral agencies, private sector, and academic and research institutions), locally and internationally, to increase our ministry.
   • Participate in sector-related global/regional networks and working groups
   • Represent WVUS to external agencies, international organizations and donors
   • Advocate with partners, locally and internationally, to push forward the agenda for sector-specific funding and programming
   • Build WV’s reputation in the field by presenting at sector conferences and workshops
5. Global Technical Expertise: Participate in WV Partnership working groups in the design, development, revision, dissemination and promotion of WV sector strategies, standards, guidelines, working papers, tools, and training materials.
   • Provide strategic input and support to WVUS/the Partnership in developing/reviewing appropriate policies and programmatic coordination for sector-specific policy implementation
   • Participate in the documentation of proven models, emerging/promising practices, as well as best practices.
   • Foster organizational learning to promote technical excellence
6. Work collaboratively with team members when assigned to work as a member of a team.
7. Maintain awareness of corporate goals, objectives, organizational announcements, and activities. Reference and follow organizational policies and procedures, seeking clarity as needed.
8. Perform other duties as assigned.

You Bring These Skills:

• The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the World Vision US Governance portfolio, frameworks that are responsive, and tools for World Vision’s programming in Democracy and Governance, including a multi-year research agenda.
• The STA should have expertise and a strong understanding of working in the Democracy and Governance sector with US Government funded programming and be familiar with USAID frameworks, strategies, and policies related to the sector and how DRG connects to other sectors and sustainable approaches.
• The ideal candidate will also bring a strong network of peer and/or private sector relationships that can be leveraged for DRG efforts. The candidate will also have experience in or willingness to develop a firm understanding of how to work with research partners to design for and harness learning and evidence from underway projects.
• Lastly, s/he must also be able to produce compelling written pieces for external publication in support of the team’s long-term positioning and though leadership efforts, and have strong ability to write technical sections of proposals.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree required.
• Doctoral level preferred (may be required based on sector needs).
• International relevant technical experience, related professional experience, or research institution experience required; 6 years minimum.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Must be able to establish strong relationships cross culturally.
• Proven work experience securing and/or managing significant funding from institutional donors.
• Deep technical knowledge in FSL is required.
• Proficiency in a language other than English preferred.

Salary Range & Benefits:

• WVUS Pay Grade Level: 228
• The full range for this pay grade is $95,000 – $156,000.
• Typical hiring range is $100,000 – $125,000 annually.
• This range applies to locations with a market similar to our Washington D.C. office. A different range may apply based on your work location.
• Job offers within the range are based on relevant job qualifications and pay equity. World Vision employees see our Salary Administration Guidelines and My Life My Benefits pages on our organization intranet known as the Vine.
• Please indicate the range you’re targeting when asked during the application process.
• In addition, we have a robust and comprehensive benefits package to round our total compensation package. Click here to learn more.
• Additionally, merit, auto allowance, and relocation may be available to eligible employees based on existing plans.

Where This Job Could Take Your Career:

You’ll be part of World Vision USA as well as part of the larger World Vision International Partnership. Globally, we have over 34,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries (~1,000 staff with World Vision US).

About World Vision:

We’re a global Christian humanitarian organization. We partner with children, families, and their communities to empower them as they reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For over 70 years, World Vision has followed Jesus’ example to show unconditional love to the poor and oppressed. We serve every child regardless of faith.

What Happens Next?

Applications are reviewed weekly. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for an initial phone conversation with a recruiter. If questions arise on our end about your application, we will message you to learn more. We encourage you to submit a PDF resume and a cover letter! Our goal is to fill this vacancy with the right person in the shortest amount of time. All interviews will be virtual at this time.