Vistant (formally PM Consulting Group), recognized as one of the fastest growing companies across the country and the region by Inc. 5000, Financial Times, Washington Technology, and the Baltimore Business Journal, is a public-sector management consulting firm serving Federal international development, healthcare, and social services agencies.

Vistant seeks a Research Policy Advisor ! on behalf of its client partner, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) This position is in USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation, in the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub, which leads USAID in experimentation and innovation to transform development. The ITR Hub takes smart risks to test new ideas and partner with others to scale impact, bringing together diverse partners to transform how we save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance. Working collaboratively with the Agency and external partners, ITR's mission is two-fold:

• To produce breakthrough development innovations by sourcing, testing, and scaling proven solutions that impact millions of people.
• To transform development by opening it to people everywhere with good ideas, promoting new and deepening existing partnerships, bringing data and evidence to bear, and harnessing scientific and technological advances.

This position will be with the Research Division (ITR/R), which aims to increase the use of scientific research to improve international development outcomes. The Research Division recognizes the excellent work in research and development (R&D) being pursued by Bureaus and Missions across USAID and seeks to complement this work as we partner on research programming, policies, and coordination across the agency. The Research Division currently partners with USAID colleagues, other federal agencies, universities, NGOs, and the private sector to increase the scientific knowledge and evidence directed toward addressing USAID’s development priorities and improving policy and programming decisions. The Research Division portfolio includes programs that focus on partnering with higher education institutions in the U.S. and in countries where USAID works, on building international research networks, on directly funding researchers in USAID presence countries, and more. In addition, through science and technology fellowship programs, policy development and implementation, and technical assistance and training services to USAID staff, the Research Division supports and builds the capacity of USAID itself to both generate and use research to improve our humanitarian and international development objectives.

The Research Policy Advisor II will backstop the Research Policy & Coordination Team within the Research Division in helping to facilitate, strengthen, and promote the increased use of research evidence in USAID’s programming and policymaking, and the conduct and management of USAID-funded research.

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected candidate will support and lead tasks on a variety of efforts including 1) development, revision, and implementation of USAID scientific research-related policies and reporting; 2) coordination and facilitation of external engagements for USAID on science and technology policy and strategic partnerships with other U.S. government (USG) entities, donors and the private sector (as relevant); 3) services to USAID Missions and other Operating Units to help them generate, manage and use research evidence; and 4) management and operations of the USAID Research and Development (R&D) Council, the agency’s advisory body on R&D. They will also work with the Research Division’s Communications Team to help raise the profile of research policies and services to bring attention to the USAID-focused work of the Research Division and to help shift USAID to more of a research culture.

The Research Policy Advisor II will also be expected to cultivate relationships with and coordinate with other Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices across USAID to ensure alignment with complementary programs within and external to the Agency. In addition, the Research Policy Advisor II will be expected to provide support and coordinate with relevant experts in developing solutions to impediments USAID faces in generating research, protecting that research from inappropriate influences, and consistently using research for decision-making.

The major duties and responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to:

• Supporting the USAID R&D Council Secretariat, including developing ideas, outreach to speakers, and coordination
• Assisting with drafting science/research-related operational policies and guidance
• Drafting key internal Info and Action Memos to get leadership buy-in and support for activities and policies as needed
• Working with multiple internal working groups and teams on communication products, policies, plans, etc. in support of the Research Division goals
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualification, Education, and/or Experience

• Master’s Degree in a scientific discipline and 7+ years relevant professional experience OR Ph.D. with 5+ years relevant professional experience required
• Research experience and/or research project or program management experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work across multiple teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with concrete experience preparing technical reports and/or policies.
• Interest in process improvement and facilitating organizational change
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high volume, multi-client environment, with the ability to be adaptable and flexible in a dynamic work environment.
• Interest in and/or experience working with USAID or on USAID projects is highly desirable.
• Ability to work with minimal guidance, prioritize work and juggle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• General knowledge and interest in global development issues (e.g., environment, health/education/science and technology/innovation/food security/climate change) as well as interest in working for USG/public sector.
• Proven record of excellent organizational, management, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability, willingness, and tenacity to navigate within a large, complex federal agency to meet goals.

USAID Assumptions and Constraints

• Staff working on this effort must be U.S. Citizens and 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 DDI and other Operational Units, and possibly with other USG agencies and/or interagency working groups.

Estimated Schedule

• Full-time

Place of Performance:

• Washington, DC - Ronald Reagan Building (RRB). On-site support with opportunities for scheduled or situational teleworks.
• Travel - Limited International and Domestic Travel

Applicants selected may be subject to a background investigation and must meet suitability requirements for eligibility. Vistant participates in E-Verify.

Vistant provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vistant is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled