Research Policy Advisor I

at  Social Solutions International

Overview:
Social Solutions International, Inc. (Social Solutions) is a Hispanic and woman-owned business emphasizing quality research and evaluation, training and technical assistance, and institutional support services. We are a mission-driven organization that believes that superior science can improve the world. Social Solutions is dedicated to the creation of social and health solutions to improve the welfare of underserved populations worldwide.
Social Solutions is a large, thriving business with a fun atmosphere that encourages creativity, new ideas, and employee health and well-being. We put our employees first and use empathetic leadership, taking a genuine interest in our employees’ lives and the challenges they face in and out of the workplace. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are integral to our company culture, and we are continuously striving to enhance our DEIA efforts across our company. You will feel like a contributing member of a growing team and company that has flexibility to enhance processes and procedures quickly to improve performance and growth. We help our employees carve out a professional pathway that has mutual benefits for them and Social Solutions. Social Solutions also offers exceptional compensation and benefits, detailed below.
Overview of the Position:

This position is located in USAID’s Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation, in the Innovation, Technology and Research (ITR) Hub, which leads USAID in experimentation and innovation to transform development. The ITR Hub takes smart risks to test new ideas and partner with others to scale impact, bringing together diverse partners to transform how we save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance. Working collaboratively with the Agency and external partners, ITR’s mission is two-fold:

• To produce breakthrough development innovations by sourcing, testing, and scaling proven solutions that impact millions of people;
• To transform development by opening it to people everywhere with good ideas, promoting new and deepening existing partnerships, bringing data and evidence to bear, and harnessing scientific and technological advances.

This position will be with the Research Division (ITR/R), which aims to increase the use of scientific research to improve international development outcomes. The Research Division recognizes the excellent work in research and development (R&D) being pursued by Bureaus and Missions across USAID and seeks to complement and help organize this work as we partner on research programming, policies, and coordination across the agency. The Research Division partners with USAID colleagues, other federal agencies, universities, NGOs, and the private sector to increase the scientific knowledge and evidence directed toward addressing USAID’s development priorities and improving policy and programming decisions. The Research Division portfolio includes programs that focus on partnering with higher education institutions in the U.S. and in countries where USAID works, on building international research networks, on directly funding researchers in USAID presence countries, and more. In addition, through science and technology fellowship programs, policy development and implementation, and technical assistance and training services to USAID staff, the Research Division supports and builds the capacity of USAID itself to both generate and use research to improve our humanitarian and international development objectives.
The Research Policy Advisor I will join the Research Policy, Partnerships, and Approaches Team within the Research Division in helping to facilitate, strengthen, and promote the increased use of research evidence in USAID’s programming and policymaking, and the conduct and management of USAID-funded research.
Responsibilities:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION, EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., scientific disciplines, policy related disciplines, etc.) and 5+ years relevant professional required; Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline preferred.
• Research experience and/or research project management experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work across multiple teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with experience preparing technical reports and/or policies and communicating them to diverse audiences.
• Interest and/or experience in process improvement and facilitating organizational change.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high volume, multi-client environment, with the ability to be adaptable and flexible in a dynamic work environment.
• Experience working with USAID or on USAID projects is highly desirable.
• Ability to work with minimal guidance, prioritize work and juggle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• General knowledge and interest in global development issues (e.g., environment, health/education/science and technology/innovation/food security/climate change) as well as interest in working for USG/public sector.
• Proven record of excellent organizational and management skills.
• Ability, willingness, and tenacity to navigate within a large, complex federal agency to meet goals.

STRONG SKILL-SETS NEEDED:

• Client services to meet the needs of stakeholders
• Attention to detail
• Writing & Editing
• Verbal Communication
• Teamwork
• Multitasking
• Organizing and Planning

The selected candidate will support and lead tasks on a variety of efforts including: 1) development, revision, and implementation of USAID scientific research-related policies and reporting; 2) support external engagement for USAID on science and technology policy and strategic partnerships with other U.S. government (USG) entities, donors and the private sector (as relevant); 3) services to USAID Missions and other Operating Units to help them generate, manage and use research evidence; and 4) management and operations of the USAID Research and Development (R&D) Council, the agency’s advisory body on R&D. They will also work with the Research Division’s Communications Team to help raise the profile of research policies and services to bring attention to the USAID-focused work of the Research Division.
The Research Policy Advisor I will also be expected to cultivate relationships with and coordinate with other Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices across USAID to ensure alignment with complementary programs within and external to the Agency.

The major duties and responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to:

• Supporting the USAID R&D Council Secretariat, including outreach to R&D Council meeting speakers and meeting coordination.
• Assisting with drafting science/research-related operational policies and guidance and supporting their implementation.
• Drafting key internal Info and Action Memos to get leadership buy-in and support for activities and policies as needed.
• Working with multiple internal working groups and teams on communication products, policies, plans, etc. in support of the Research Division goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: