Program Analyst – USAID Latin American and Caribbean/Cuba

About Us

We are International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a global consulting firm working some of the most complex and impactful development problems worldwide. We work on programs that help government agencies, private companies and donors improve the lives of others. At IBTCI you will be part of an inclusive team that provides expert solutions and advice to understand and address critical problems while giving you opportunities to succeed and grow.

Job Title: Program Analyst – USAID Latin America and Caribbean / Cuba

Department/Location: Institutional Support Program Implementation (ISPI) / Washington D.C.

Reports To: ISPI Principal

Type: Regular Full-Time

Classification: Exempt

Clearance Required: Facilities – The successful candidate will be required to obtain Facility Access Clearance. It is a requirement to be a US citizen or to have resided in the US for at least 5 years.

***To be noted that this position is embedded within the USAID/LAC Bureau and REQUIRES a minimum of two days per week at USAID in Washington DC (All virtual is not an option).***

Overview: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Office of Cuban Affairs (LAC/Cuba) in Washington D.C. supports a portfolio of programs to advance Cuban human rights. LAC/Cuba seeks a Program Analyst to provide broad program analysis and operational support for USAID’s programs. Duties include tracking and assisting with responses to Congressional, public, and interagency inquiries in coordination with USAID staff. Support may be required in specific technical areas to provide assistance with project planning and implementation.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:

Illustrative Programmatic Functions:

• Supporting program managers in designing, planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, coordinating, and reporting on activities to ensure they are efficiently and effectively implemented in a manner that achieves the objectives of USAID.
• Assisting in the development of program documents, such as waivers, authorization documents, action memos, and congressional notifications.
• Scheduling and organizing program, portfolio, and strategic objective reviews.
• Preparing activity, project, program, and country strategy reports.
• Developing documents for the design of acquisition and assistance awards.
• Conducting sectoral analyses and assessments that inform strategic approaches and the Project Development Document (PDD).
• Assisting in reviewing monitoring and evaluation (MEL) reports to ensure alignment with the PDD strategic objectives.
• Providing technical advice on the feasibility, appropriateness, and value of proposed activities or changes in activities.
• Supporting liaison and coordination with other donors, NGOs, civil society groups, other USG agencies, Congress, members of the press, and government officials.
• Drafting responses to inquiries from USAID leadership, Congress, other USG agencies, the media, diaspora communities, and the general public.
• Drafts memoranda, talking points, briefing papers, and official correspondence for senior leadership.
• Assisting USAID/LAC staff with pulling reports, uploading information, and making requisitions in program management and financial systems.
• Drafts budget planning tables and justification documents for internal, inter-agency, and Congressional audiences.

Illustrative Communications and Administrative Functions:

1. Covers meetings and other official activities of the Department of State related to Cuba with the responsibility for preparing memoranda, talking points, briefing papers, and official correspondence for USAID senior leadership.
2. Liaises with LAC and Department of State Communications staff to develop and execute social media strategies and tactics, including drafting and scheduling social media posts to support a cohesive external message.
3. Support the office on any high-profile events, press needs, and regional communications strategy.
4. Maintains extensive knowledge of development and foreign policy challenges in the LAC region with a focus on Cuba, including the information required to inform press strategies and messaging campaigns.
5. Monitors daily news media and social media accounts related to Cuba and recommends USAID messaging in response.
6. Proactively seeks opportunities to drive, join, or share ongoing digital conversations that relate to strategic priority areas.
7. Track, review and assist in the preparation of planning, authorization, and implementation documents and monitor their timely clearance and execution.
8. Prepare LAC/Cuba staff and principals by assembling requisite documents for key meetings, events, conferences, travel, etc. by coordinating with office directors and other relevant parties on briefers, briefing books, and pre-briefs.
9. Review and/or draft documents and correspondence for proper format, grammar, content, technical accuracy, and messaging prior to obtaining Bureau or Office leadership approval.
10. Manage inquiries from LAC/Cuba office electronic mailbox and ensure timely responses to inquiries from the public and the media.
11. Communicate regularly with the LAC Front Office staff to ensure they are aware of LAC/Cuba major meetings, scheduling changes, and deadlines.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience (at least 1 year) working with USAID through contracts/cooperative agreements/internships/and or direct hire.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. (e.g., drafting congressional memos and social media posting on behalf of USAID.
• Must work well in a team environment, be able to multitask; and have strong problem solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Familiarity with the Google suite of applications (Gmail, google sheets, documents, calendars, etc.)

Education:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public policy, international development/relations or related field, plus five years of experience preferably in a public or non-profit setting combining operational support with writing and electronic information and systems management; or
• A Master’s degree in one of the above disciplines plus three years of experience preferably in a public or non-profit.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Spanish Language Proficiency

Working Environment: Work is typically performed in an office environment. Currently the company is allowing for remote work due to COVID 19 in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area. This can be updated by the company.

COVID Vaccine status: As a condition of employment, IBTCI requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Candidates should be prepared to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon hire or request for an accommodation with HR that is consistent with our COVID-19 safety protocols and policies.

Physical Requirements: This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 20 lbs.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position [does not] have supervisory responsibilities.

Travel: International travel may be required and may include travel to fragile and/or conflict-prone zones.

Work Authorization: Candidate must be authorized to work in the United States

About the Organization:

IBTCI has been in business since 1987. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL), Institutional Support (IS), Financial & Risk Management (FRM), Supply Chain Management & Procurement (SCMP); Social & Behavior Change (SBC) and Capacity Building. We provide these services across many sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, resilience & food security, conflict & crisis, democracy & governance, economic growth & trade, education, energy & Infrastructure, environment & climate change, global health & WASH and humanitarian and disaster assistance. At IBTCI, our colleagues are encouraged to collaborate and be part of the solution while getting the tools and guidance needed to grow and support our clients’ missions.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws. We prohibit and do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability, or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected] (Do not send your resume to this account, for consideration please apply in our career page).