Project Manager, International Development at American Institutes for Research

Overview

AIR is currently seeking a Project Manager to join our International Development Division (IDD).

AIR’s IDD strives to improve the quality of life in low-and middle-income countries by using rigorous monitoring, evaluation, research and technical assistance 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, Eastern and Central Europe, Central and Latin America as well as the Middle East. 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.

This position can be remote or out of any of AIR’s office locations in: Arlington, VA; Rockville, MD; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Chapel Hill, NC or Waltham, MA.

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

Responsibilities

IDD is seeking an entrepreneurial, highly motivated Project Manager to provide program management and business development support to the international labor and workforce development portfolio in Mexico and the Northern Triangle on projects that focus on topics such as labor rights, institution building, public policy implementation, information and communications technology for development (ICT4D), and capacity building. The Project Manager will play a critical role in supporting the implementation of international labor projects throughout the project life cycle and is expected to provide program management, coordination, and practical support on all matters related to project planning and roll out.

The Project Manager will also work closely with international labor team members to support strategic business development in international labor and workforce development, including the identification and pursuit of new business opportunities and participating in the proposal development process in a variety of roles.

Program Management

Provide program management expertise to support project implementation, working closely with the relevant personnel to:

• Support project teams across the labor portfolio from project start-up to close-out on all matters related to project implementation including work planning, day-to-day management, close coordination with Headquarters (HQ) and field teams.
• Keep close tabs on activities taking place across the portfolio, and possible synergies or risks related to those activities, by attending key meetings and staying looped into key project communications.
• Keep Project Directors and Portfolio Directors abreast of key synergies and risks, and act as a go-to contact point for questions about different aspects of each project or the inter-relationship between projects or project activities.
• Liaison between HQ and Mexico staff, ensuring strong collaboration and communication across the portfolio including occasionally providing interpretation or linguistic support for clear, seamless communication across the team.
• Support writing of key deliverables, including Technical Progress Reports (TPRs), Project Documents, and other key tasks.
• Support the project Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E team) with collecting and synthesizing monitoring information as needed.

Business Development:

Provide support for full cycle proposal development for the portfolio, working closely with the relevant personnel to:

• Support the identification and pursuit of new business opportunities in international labor and workforce development by cultivating existing relationships and developing new ones.
• Participate in brainstorming and project design meetings and exercises.
• Provide writing support for the proposals.
• Act as a proposal coordinator (under supervisor of the Proposal Manager).
• Collaborate with the International Recruiter to identify and recruit key and non-key staff.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development/affairs, political science, gender studies, public policy, social science, economics, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum 5 years’ professional experience helping coordinate or manage donor-funded technical assistance projects, including activities like day-to-day project management, donor reporting, liaising across activities, supporting roll out of key managerial systems or processes, etc.
• Proven experience with business development required
• Experience in designing and implementing processes and procedures in support of business development activities or project implementation
• Experience in relevant project topics areas like International Labor, Workforce Development, Institutional Development, or ICT4D would be advantageous for this role but is not required
• Experience working on large value capture and proposal efforts

Skills:

• Demonstrated effective and interpersonal communication skills
• Previous experience working in a cross-cultural context with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively
• Proven success in supporting complex projects
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Flexible, team-oriented attitude and strong organizational skills
• Proficiency in Spanish (reading and writing) is required for this role

Disclosures:

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.