Democracy, Rights, Governance (DRG) Specialist At American Institutes for Research

Overview

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Crystal City, Virginia, AIR is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research on important social issues and delivers technical assistance and capacity building services domestically and internationally in health, social development, education, and workforce to a growing roster of clients and partners. Our mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world.

AIR’s International Development Division (IDD) strives to improve the quality of life in developing countries by using rigorous research and evaluation to enhance education and social development. We work across a wide range of topics including workforce development, agriculture/food/nutrition, early childhood development, education, refugees and migration, social protection, water/sanitation/infrastructure, and women’s empowerment in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and Latin America as well as the Middle East. The IDD generates policy-relevant evidence through rigorous monitoring, evaluations, and research; helps improve program design through continuous learning and adaptation; and works with local organizations and governments to build sustainable solutions based on evidence.

AIR is seeking an entrepreneurial and highly motivated Democracy, Rights, Governance (DRG) Specialist to lead and support the growth and success of AIR’s DRG work within the International Development Division. This is a full-time position. The candidate will play a key role in developing and leading innovative solutions for technical assistance and analytical programming and strategic business development in DRG, including the identification and pursuit of new business opportunities related to DRG, the provision of technical assistance for proposal development, and effective and sound project implementation in DRG programming, as well as the enhancement of organizational culture and development of staff talent and corporate capabilities related to DRG. S/he may supervise staff, as well as work closely with experts and staff in AIR’s field offices.

Responsibilities

Identification and Pursuit of New Business Opportunities

Support the identification and pursuit of new business opportunities in DRG by:

• Developing new and cultivating existing relationships for the creation of new business opportunities
• Developing new and cultivating existing relationships for the establishments of new partnerships, in particular with implementation partners, USAID and other donors, and government institutions and stakeholders in partner countries, for the pursuit of new business opportunities

Proposal Development

Provide technical assistance in the area of DRG to support full cycle proposal development, working closely with the relevant personnel to:

• Participate in brainstorming and project design meetings and exercises
• Review, edit, and provide substantial comments on technical proposal sections
• Collaborate with the International Recruiter to identify and recruit key and non-key staff

Project Implementation

• Provide technical assistance in the area of DRG to support project implementation, working closely with the relevant personnel to:
  • Provide technical subject matter expertise to inform all elements of overall project design, implementation, and adaptation including:
  • Design and implement institutional, judicial, regulatory, legislative, policy, and procedural DRG research and analysis related to project activities
  • Use data to facilitate program adaptation
  • Support design and implementation of capacity building and training activities
• Provide technical subject matter expertise to inform all components of evaluation design and implementation, including: Evaluability assessment; Evaluation design; Instrument design and review
• Report review
• Contribute to technical elements of project reports and eventual project evaluations

Qualifications

• Master’s in international economics, Law, Political Science, Sociology, or a related technical discipline
• At least 10 years of experience in research, program design, and implementation on donor-funded DRG programming, with proven field-based management experience working on USAID-funded DRG activities
• At least 5 years of senior-level management experience including staff mentoring and supervision in the home office of an international development consulting firm
• An active contact base in donor organizations strongly desired; experience with additional USG/non-USG programs or clients working in relevant areas also desired
• Experience in business development/marketing for international development, with proven experience managing proposal teams and writing winning proposals for the US Government required; experience responding to RFPs/RFTOPs essential
• Ability to work well independently with limited supervision
• Ability to travel overseas on short-term assignments

AIR requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive a legally required exemption from AIR, as a condition of employment. AIR will ask candidates to verify their vaccination status only after a conditional offer of employment is made. Applicants should not provide information about their vaccination status or need for exemption prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment from AIR.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.