About the Project

Through the Private Sector Engagement Modernization Contract (PSEMC), Dexis supports the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) PSE Hub to expand and deepen collaboration with the private sector to achieve greater development outcomes. The PSE Hub’s mission is to create the institutional conditions, operating infrastructure, and capacity necessary to expand engagement with the private sector in the United States and partner countries. The PSE Hub works to transform and modernize how USAID does development by institutionalizing USAID’s PSE policy and delivering capacity- and systems-building support for PSE across all sectors, operating units, and countries where USAID operates.

About the Position

Dexis is seeking an Evidence Specialist to support the independent Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), which supports USAID in improving the effectiveness of its programming by bringing stronger economic evidence, theory, and tools to bear on the Agency’s work. Toward this end, OCE

1. Promotes the use of high-quality evidence of “cost-effectiveness” (i.e., how much impact does an intervention deliver per dollar spent) in Agency decision-making;
2. Promotes the generation of more cost-effectiveness evidence that the Agency is uniquely placed to catalyze; and
3. Provides analysis and advice to Agency leadership on pressing macroeconomic issues.

One key area of OCE’s engagement is the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), providing stable employment and economic opportunities in low- and middle-income countries. This position is expected to spend at least a portion of the time encouraging the use of evidence on effective strategies to support and grow SMEs.

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC, with the possibility for remote work. It is currently envisioned to last two years, with the possibility for extension.

Responsibilities

The Evidence Specialist will support OCE efforts to increase the use of evidence in program decision-making at USAID (such as adopting proven, cost-effective interventions for key development outcomes in USAID programs) and support USAID to generate more evidence where there are evidence gaps. This will involve exciting opportunities to collaborate with technical teams and Missions across the Agency on specific programs and bodies of evidence as well as to identify opportunities to strengthen processes, policies, systems, and capacity related to evidence use and generation. Essential functions for this role are outlined below:

Support the Synthesis of Global Evidence and Provide Actionable Insights from Evidence to Support USAID Decision-Making (40%)

•  Conduct specific analyses to feed into syntheses of cost-effectiveness evidence related to specific development outcomes, particularly in the area of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs), following standard operating procedures. This will include reviewing academic papers on impact evaluation evidence and compiling conclusions and recommendations for USAID teams.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other offices to co-create syntheses of cost-effectiveness evidence related to specific development outcomes.
• Stay abreast of the latest external randomized evaluation evidence from academia and other research institutes, particularly in the area of small and medium enterprise support, and apply insights to USAID’s work.
• Compile and communicate information to USAID colleagues about the relative cost-effectiveness of different development interventions—and the strength of underlying evidence—in user-friendly, actionable ways to help guide decision-making.

Build Capacity through Supporting the Development of New Tools, Guidance, and Products (25%)

• Plan and carry out the development of tools and guidance that can support USAID colleagues in using cost-effectiveness evidence and/or generating new evidence as part of program design and implementation.
• Support strategies to strengthen the knowledge and abilities of Agency staff in using evidence from randomized impact evaluations and cost-effectiveness analyses.
• Periodically seek input on tools, guidance, and/or products from expert individuals or groups outside of USAID.
• Support the development of internal and external communication products about cost-effectiveness evidence and OCE’s work on evidence generation and use.

Provide Technical Assistance to USAID Operating Units (35%)

• Identify and follow up on opportunities for Missions and other Operating Units on how they can assess program effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and significantly change their programs through greater use of evidence and generation of evidence. 
• Understand  the challenges that colleagues face in using cost-effectiveness evidence in their programming and in integrating high-quality randomized impact evaluation and cost-effectiveness analysis into program evaluation.
• Carry out high-quality hands-on technical assistance to USAID Missions and other Operating Units on use and generation of evidence, including through virtual and in-person support (requiring overseas travel).

Perform Other Duties as Assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least two (2) years of experience in a relevant technical area, such as economics, international affairs, and public policy
• Applied experience synthesizing and applying research and evidence for decision making
• Track record of user-focus in evidence generation or uptake
• Skills and experience in research and evidence communication
• Effective communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills  
• Eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Ability to attain and maintain a facilities access clearance
• Ability to travel internationally up to 20% of the time on short notice

Preferred

• Professional and updated knowledge of SMEs, or familiarity with impact evaluation evidence on approaches to support SME growth, profits, and employment in low- and middle-income countries
• Active facilities access clearance
• Experience living/working in developing countries
• Experience working within large donor agencies or with implementing partners