About the Project

Through the Private Sector Engagement Modernization Contract (PSEMC), Dexis supports the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Private Sector Engagement (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. PSEMC provides technical assistance and capacity building to USAID Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices in support of PSE.

About the Position

In May 2023, the White House launched the U.S. Government National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology (the “Strategy”). The Strategy recognizes that the United States faces challenges to its global leadership on international standardization and that the core principles of the international standardization system are under threat by strategic competitors that seek to influence it. Competitors’ efforts are mainly focused on critical and emerging technologies (CETs) and are aimed at advancing their military-industrial policies and autocratic objectives. The Strategy sets four strategic objectives that the U.S. Government should pursue under which eight Lines of Effort (LOE) flow down. Under LOE #8, USAID has been called to support the development of a diverse and inclusive workforce of standards professionals:

We will support the development of a diverse and inclusive generation of emerging economy standards professionals who can effectively participate in international standards development and promote the adoption of international standards. In partnership with the U.S. academic and private sectors, we will look to engage with influential emerging economy academic institutions or other related organizations to ensure longer-term sustainability and identify opportunities for additional training on coalition building, including through programming from the U.S. Agency for International Development. (Emphasis added.) We will foster participation of small and medium enterprises, including from like-minded countries, and further advance the design and implementation of technical assistance programs to enable broad and inclusive participation in international standards organizations.

The USAID/EMD/Trade team supports a multiyear effort (the Project) to strengthen partner countries’ understanding of the core principles applicable to international standards development. 

In addition, the IPI/EMD/Trade team manages a number of mechanisms that support economic growth world wide, including the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation and the Alliance for eTrade Development.

The Center for Economics and Market Development (EMD) is seeking an Partnership Advisor who would support the Trade Team to implement it’s portfolio. The position would advise in USG, private sector, and USAID operations, public policy to help EMD navigate complex challenges, make informed decisions, achieve its strategic goals, and map the Project’s next steps. The AM may also consult with USG interagency partners under the AOR’s direction as it relates to the project implementation. 

Successful team members work collaboratively, seek opportunities, demonstrate persistence, are risk-takers, set goals and see them through, systematically plan, and work under the direction and oversight of the AOR.

This is a telework-eligible position requiring occasional international travel (about 15%). Washington DC is the duty station. 

Responsibilities

Strategic Advice and Planning

• Provides strategic guidance, approaches, and tactics for initiatives with the IPI/EMD/Trade team under the supervision of the team lead and AORs, including commencing implementation of the project.
• Provides strategies, plans, and approaches in managing the Project’s resources. 
• Updates and advises EMD’s trade team lead, AORs, and other stakeholders regarding the Project’s planning, activities and results.
• In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed below, the incumbent will be responsible for serving as a technical resource for Trade Capacity building issues; serving as an agency expert and coordinator in providing intellectual leadership and focus to initiate dialogue; generate policy recommendations, interventions, and agency mechanisms and providing advice, guidance and expert technical leadership and policy guidance on the most complex TCB program and how they interact with USG trade policy, private sector needs and sophisticated world-wide markets.

Research and Analysis

• Effectively assists in identifying solutions to critical operational and internal/external challenges that may involve considerable risk and/or based on new and experimental approaches and methodologies. 
• Conducts or oversees research and analysis to support program implementation and timely delivery of those activities.

Operations

• Provides expert advice and assistance related to project implementation, ensuring that they are executed efficiently and are non-duplicative. This involves coordinating resources with multiple programs and Agencies, managing budgets, and tracking progress.
• Provides direct support (virtual or TDY) to USAID Missions within backstop expertise/area to advance critical initiatives, bilateral/regional development objectives and/or operational targets and goals.

Relationships

• Builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, including USG Agencies (USTR, DOC, DOS, NIST, EPA, DOE), implementing partners, foreign government agencies, and industry groups to further the international standards project’s development goals and objectives. 
• Coordinates programs and activities with other USAID Bureaus and Independent Offices, the Department of State, other USG agencies, and the private sector. Assists in managing special cross-cutting initiatives and task-force groups to accomplish programmatic goals; groups may review specific programs of the organization or develop new initiatives in various program areas.

Performs other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Master’s Degree (or higher) with 8 or more years of work experience, Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of work experience, or 15+ years equivalent relevant work experience in private sector engagement.
• Three years of experience applying international trade expertise. 
• Knowledge and deep contextual understanding of regulatory environments, international trade agreements, trade capacity building and trade disciplines (technical barriers to trade).  
• Two years of work experience involving US interagency coordination processes.
• Experience with USAID program cycle and project design; experience working with/within USAID.
• Ease with reporting out and collaborating with senior-level leaders.
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate effectively with a varied array of actors, principals, and subject matter experts.
• Experience with resource and budget planning and management.
• Ability to attain and maintain a Secret-level clearance.
• Good writing and communication skills.

Preferred

• Two years of work experience with issues related to the digital environment.
• Current holder of an active Secret-level security clearance

All applicants are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner.  All employees and consultants are expected to value diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.