USAID Environment Program Cycle Support Specialists (Open Call for Interest)

OPPORTUNITY 

• Are you an impact-driven individual looking for work at the nexus of conservation, climate change and integrated programming?
• Do you want to work with an innovative and collaborative team committed to transformational change in how we approach sustainable development?
• Are you a lifelong learner eager to support the creation and use of evidence in decision making? Do you want to be a change agent, contributing your technical skills and your knowledge of the USAID Program Cycle to help the Agency meet the climate challenge?

Environmental Incentives (EI) is seeking mission-driven individuals with experience in international development, environment and climate. This is an open call for experts in the fields of climate mitigation (forestry and agriculture, sustainable landscapes, land use management) and adaptation (nature-based climate solutions, natural climate solutions), biodiversity, land tenure and resource governance, and related fields. We are looking for subject matter experts with deep knowledge of the USAID Program Cycle and experience in program design, monitoring, evaluation, organizational learning, and evidence-based adaptive management to join the USAID Environment Program Cycle Support (EPCS) team. 

EPCS Specialists will be recruited for their subject matter expertise combined with skills for facilitation, evidence-driven assessments and evaluations, knowledge management, and rigorous USAID program cycle knowledge (including design, research, program monitoring, and adaptive management.) 

EPCS Specialists will be members of a network providing technical support and advisory services to USAID. They will work across activity design, strategy development, monitoring, evaluation, and the set of USAID organizational learning practices (collaborating, learning, and adapting or CLA) to ensure cohesive connection between the generation of evidence-based practice and applying that learning for adaptive management in climate and biodiversity programs. 

About Environmental Incentives

At Environmental Incentives, our purpose is to create the conditions for human and natural communities to thrive. We do this by helping our partners improve the performance of conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, DC, South Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Nairobi, and Lima (pending registration). Our remote staff and consultants are based in multiple states within the United States, and across five continents. 

Role

EPCS Specialists will serve in an advisory and capacity-building role for Program Cycle-related functions (e.g., strategic planning, activity design, monitoring, evaluation, and CLA) within operating units. EPCS Specialists will fill a critical gap by working collaboratively with USAID teams to develop high quality products and processes that will serve as solid examples, models and guidance for future staff. Each EPCS Specialist may specialize in a functional area of the Program Cycle (e.g., Design Specialist, MEL specialist, M&E adviser, or CLA advisor), but will be expected to bridge work across these disciplines. 

The specific role will be determined by the needs of a specific office. In general, EPCS Specialists will: 

• Support the implementation of USAID’s Biodiversity Policy and Climate Change Strategy by applying facilitation services for activity design, implementation, pause/reflect sessions, and evaluation and learning using multiple methods and approaches.
• Provide support (in person and virtually) in all program cycle needs (activity design, implementation, evaluation, and learning).
• Provide technical skills in data and evidence-driven assessments and briefs to inform design and implementation, including geospatial support, rapid literature reviews and evidence synthesis as requested.
• Support process improvement engagement, including facilitating activity codesigns, organizational development facilitation services, and broad-based stakeholder engagement activities to inform programming.
• Provide technical assistance to USAID Operating Units in developing monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans as well as reporting upon program indicators.
• Conducting assessments and/or produce evidence products as directed, especially early in the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) cycle, to inform future designs, or during operational planning meetings.
• Support and facilitate teams in designing multiple types of evaluations, such as rigorous performance and/or impact evaluations with the goal of testing assumptions of key theories of change or progress towards Agency goals; support may also include preparation of evaluability assessments for evaluations to be conducted by others.
• Conduct rigorous performance evaluations and impact evaluations, of biodiversity and climate change programs, with the purpose of learning.
• Provide technical evaluation, monitoring, and data management support for the design of operational research partnerships and plans and/or advise on data collection methods, in collaboration with and to support USAID climate change and biodiversity implementing partners
• Researching, synthesizing and disseminating findings on selected climate change and biodiversity topics as directed, such as adaptation and mitigation topics, nature-based solutions or ecosystems services, direct and indirect threats to biodiversity.
• Advance USAID biodiversity and climate change goals by providing training and guidance on evidence use and generation and adaptive management to Agency staff and other stakeholders.
• Developing and producing knowledge management and communication events (meetings and workshops) and outreach materials, including infographics, fact sheets, brochures, newsletters and/or videos.

Position Expectations

EPCS Specialists are hired at various levels, depending on the needs of the specific technical assistance office and the candidates’ experience and skills. Typically, EPCS Specialists are mid- to senior-level positions with the least amount of education and experience needed, a bachelor’s degree and 7 years’ relevant professional experience. Additional qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities of a successful EPCS Specialist include the following. 

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a USG facility access or security clearance for work in the United States is required.
• For mission-based assignments: Ability and willingness to temporarily relocate to foreign locations (as feasible given COVID-19 travel restrictions).
• Expertise in climate mitigation (forestry and agriculture, sustainable landscapes, land use management) and adaptation (nature-based climate solutions, natural climate solutions), biodiversity, land tenure and resource governance, and integrated environment programs.
• Experience with programmatic learning and adaptive management in USAID or other foreign assistance agencies (including large NGOs, contractors, or international organizations).
• Experience designing and/or implementing international development programs with USAID and/or other large development assistance agencies (including large NGOs, contractors, or international organizations).
• Background in activity design, monitoring, learning, and evaluation, research, and adaptive management of climate, biodiversity and integrated programs.
• Experience using the Conservation Standards and/or other systems tools to improve program logic in activity design and implementation.
• Experience facilitating groups, meetings, or events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility and capacity to adapt to and operate in environments of uncertainty.
• Strong understanding of current issues in international development and organizational effectiveness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages desirable.
• Ability to be proactive in problem solving with excellent listening skills.
• Demonstrated ability to advance equity and inclusion in leading the work of teams.
• Knowledge of Monday work management software.

Compensation and Benefits

Environmental Incentives also offers a competitive benefits package that includes: 

• 100% employer-funded medical, dental, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance for employees, and the option to enroll in supplemental life insurance.
• Highly competitive 401k contributions that start on day one of your employment. Did we mention we offer environmentally responsible investment options?
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time. You’ll also get paid time off opportunities each year to vote and volunteer at a charity of your choice!

How to Apply

Please submit your resume. We will review your submission on a rolling basis and should your background match future positions, you will be contacted to apply for the open position. Positions are contingent upon award and may be based in Washington, DC or in countries with a USAID field office. 

ENVIRONMENTAL INCENTIVES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

We are committed to developing an inclusive work environment for all employees, where diversity of thought, style, culture, and skill is valued in support of individual performance and potential, as well as our business goals and mission. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This Organization Participates In E-Verify. 

Reasonable Accommodation: 

Applicants with disabilities may contact Environmental Incentives coordinators via telephone, e-mail, and other means to request and arrange for accommodations. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time. Please contact Human Resources: 

Patrice Gulledge

Human Resources Director

Phone: (202) 525-2450 

E-mail: careers@enviroincentives.com 

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