Organization: Bureau for the Middle East, Office of Technical Support (ME/TS)
Location of Position: Washington, DC
Open Period: January 2, 2025 – January 17, 2025
Appointment Type: This is an excepted service, time-limited appointment that is not to exceed five years.
Salary: (FSL-02) $135,808 – $195,200 (includes locality pay area for Washington, DC)

Description of Organization:

ME/TS supports the Bureau, regional platform, and field Missions with technical analyses, strategy development, sectoral policy guidance, program design, monitoring and evaluation, and engagement with the Agency, interagency, and the public on technical issues. ME/TS technical staff are focused on the unique, transformational issues confronting the Middle East region. ME/TS teams encompass and interconnect the health, education, democracy and governance, peace and security, economic growth, environment, agriculture, and scientific research cooperation. Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) plays a critical role in interconnecting these and other factors affecting the socio-economic development, peace and security, and environmental sustainability of the region.

Description of Position:

ME/TS is seeking a highly qualified and motivated direct hire FSL-02 to serve as an ICT4D Advisor with an emphasis on the use of technology or technology-related tools to support ME across all sectors (e.g., democracy and governance, peace and security, economic growth, education, health, natural resources management, and agriculture).

The ICT4D Advisor demonstrates outstanding attainment in the analysis of interrelationships between technologies and society in the Middle East. The ICT4D Advisor is a highly informed specialist on the diverse uses of technologies and engagement factors associated with the political economy (digital divide, regulation of technologies, and commoditization of surveillance). The ICT4D Advisor would be responsible for integrating ICT4D into development programming broadly with a strong focus on economic growth, private sector engagement, and competitiveness in support of cross-cutting issues (gender equity and women’s empowerment, agriculture, governance, education, etc.).

The ICT4D Advisor will be responsible for the following:

• Serves as an Agency expert and coordinator in providing intellectual leadership and focus for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of ICT4D information on the countries of the Middle East;
• Explores and evaluates intellectual, academic, and other resources that can be applied to solving critical problems with a focus on using digital tools and analytical approaches;
• Seeks the latest substantive thinking in the sector, from sources within and outside the United States, relating such findings and knowledge to USAID policies and programs;
• Provides guidance and support on the use of ICT4D tools during the design of activities to Middle East Missions and field Operating Units, particularly limited and non-presence units;
• Collaborates with and supports projects to ensure they are reaping the benefits of ICT4D;
• Coordinates and supports development and testing of innovative ICT4D products and processes to strengthen and improve efficiency and effectiveness of USAID programming, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, and communication;
• Reviews and evaluates research on ICT4D in the Middle East and North Africa regions and effectively applies the results to USAID assistance programs;
• Collaborates with others to design and implement ME’s analytical and evaluation agenda; and
• Designs and manages ICT4D and/or economic growth related programs.

Specialized Experience:

For the FSL-02 (GS-14 equivalent) grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at the FSL-03 (GS-13) grade level or equivalent. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Experience in project development and/or management, as well as associated grant and contract activities; and
• Experience in strategic planning, analysis, design, implementation, and/or evaluation of programs related to integrating ICT4D into development programming broadly, especially in low and lower-middle income countries.

Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates must indicate whether they are a U.S. citizen. If citizenship is not stated, the application will not be considered;
• Must hold at least a graduate degree, preferably in computer science or similar subject area;
• Must possess exceptional professional/technical writing skills;
• Must have experience facilitating collaboration between partners from different countries and cultures, preferably in the Middle East region;
• Must demonstrate a mastery of the socio-economic principles, concepts, and practices in addition to expertise working with mobile devices and solutions for data collection and sharing, preferably in international development, including a comprehensive understanding of solutions for digital development and emerging technologies;
• Must demonstrate expertise in the evaluation, development, and integration of data driven software solutions, preferably in business intelligence (BI) or data analytics and visualization including appropriate knowledge of system architectures and interoperability approaches;
• Must be able to initiate, design, administer, and/or coordinate studies having significant impact on changes in Agency economic, democratic, and social sector policy;
• Must possess the ability to develop and apply digital development strategies that will make socio-economic impact; the ability to write to develop policies and standards for Agency-wide digital-based economic, democracy, and social sector programs and activities; and the ability to deal tactfully and convincingly with others regarding the coordination of policies and procedures;
• Preference for development or foreign policy experience within the Middle East and North Africa;
• Preference for software product or project management experience; and
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Interested candidates must submit the following:

• A resume/CV;
• A cover letter expressing interest and clearly addressing the stated requirements for the position;
• Three relevant professional references;
• Copies of school transcripts; and
• Proof of veteran eligibility, if applicable.

Please submit your application to [email protected] with the subject line: “FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Information Communication Technology for Development Advisor (ICT4D), FSL-02-BS 21, Bureau for the Middle East.” Application submissions are required by January 17, 2025.

Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to:
— Kevin Sharp, ME/TS, [email protected], or
— April Hahn, ME/TS, [email protected]