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

Dexis is seeking a Mining Sector Senior Research Consultant to develop a short (2-3 pages) guiding document to support USAID staff in their responsible engagement of mining companies. This document should outline opportunities, risks, and risk mitigation strategies that would enable USAID Industry Leads to guide the Agency’s approach to engaging with mining companies. The goal of this document is to help ensure that potential private sector engagements and partnerships will advance USAID’s Mission, and do not contribute to harm.

Successful candidates will have strong research skills; the ability to clearly synthesize information; and knowledge of the mining sector, extractives, or certain critical minerals required for green energy.

This is a short-term remote consultancy lasting approximately 55 days.

Responsibilities

• Review current research and conduct additional desk research to help guide USAID in the responsible engagement of mining companies.
• Identify opportunities, risks, best practices, and mitigation tactics that could be deployed by USAID when developing programs and partnerships with the mining sector.
• Potentially conduct interviews with key stakeholders within USAID and/or other USG departments or IGOs.
• Create a concise and easy-to-use document for USAID use that will help to overcome potential challenges and barriers, while also ensuring clear information on potential risks and considerations when partnering with mining companies.
• Lead a small-group consultation on the document, in collaboration with USAID colleagues
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications 

Required

• MS/MA (or higher) with 8 or more years of relevant work experience, or a Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong research skills; ability to analyze and synthesize information concisely
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to translate technical language for various (primarily internal) audiences
• Technical knowledge of the mining sector and/or extractives
• Some knowledge of critical minerals required for the green energy transition (e.g. cobalt, lithium)
• Solid understanding of the key social, environmental, and health issues associated with the mining sector (e.g. community conflicts, water pollution, etc.)
• Previous USAID or USG experience

Preferred

• Active Facilities Access or Secret-level Clearance