Design, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist chez Universal Strategy Group Inc (USGI)

Design, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist (DME ADV) - US DOS

Welcome to Universal Strategy Group Inc (USGI)! USGI is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. USGI was founded in 2007 with the single focus of preserving and promoting American security. Our mission is to provide the best-in-class personnel who provide tailored analytical, operational, and technical solutions to our Nation's most complex national security challenges while exceeding customer expectations.
 
USGI is committed to recruiting, nurturing, and retaining top talent that set us apart from our competition. USGI is an experienced, team-oriented, dynamic, and expanding company that values exceptional performance! USGI understands that well-cared for and motivated personnel are the key to the successful accomplishment of any mission, and toward that end, USGI takes exceptional care of our team.

USGI is seeking a Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DME) Advisor who shall be ready to 1) assist INL program teams and implementing partners in enrolling, reporting, analyzing, and visualizing performance data in INL’s performance monitoring database; 2) assist INL program teams and implementing partners in the design of programs and monitoring plans, and help them develop data collection and reporting processes; 3) analyze INL performance on design and monitoring, and advise on improvements to INL DME guidance and implementation procedures; 3) advise on evaluations of Bureau programs conducted by outside implementers; and 4) provide training and coaching on INL DME standards, database enrollment procedures, and data analysis techniques. The DME Advisor will participate in or lead INL’s DME-related communities of practice. The DME Advisor will focus on Western Hemisphere programs but may assist with other regions or thematic areas as needed.

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous and secure world. 

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) keeps Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. 

INL’s Office of Results and Criminal Deterrence (INL/RCD) seeks to help INL programs demonstrate results and maximize effectiveness in a customer-focused manner. The position is located in the RCD Results team, which focuses on program design, monitoring, evaluation, and research.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Note: All duties below may need to be performed in Spanish as well as English

Program Design (25%)

• Advise INL program staff and leadership on application of the INL DME standards/requirements
• Use data and provide analysis to inform design and monitoring advice to INL program teams and implementing partners, such as data from previous or related projects for lessons learned, or contextual data for root cause analysis
• Assist with the development of, and/or provide technical review of program logic models, change maps, results frameworks, and/or performance monitoring plans
• Review and provide feedback on DME elements of program solicitation documents and advise program managers on the rigor and feasibility of project proposals
• Ensure use of quality indicators and inclusion of appropriate INL measures for data verification and data quality assessments
• Advise INL program staff on projects related to the collection of monitoring data and project evaluation
  • Conduct occasional evaluations of programs to inform future design and monitoring plans

Data Management (40%)

• Assist INL program teams and implementing partners with enrolling, reporting, analyzing, and visualizing performance data in INL’s performance monitoring database
• Work with INL program staff and implementing partners to ensure outcome data is collected throughout the life of programs, and encourage them to set targets when applicable
• Data entry and cleaning when necessary

Data Analysis and Visual Storytelling (20%)

• Assist INL program staff with review and analysis of performance data, helping them to update monitoring plans, program designs, or implementation plans if needed
• Use software such as PowerBI or DevResults to visualize reported data to inform program manager decision-making
• Create knowledge products such as reports, presentations, memoranda, and infographics
• Share and report data as requested by program managers and leadership

Multiplying Effectiveness (15%)

• Develop or revise user guide materials, training materials, or other resources needed to address common questions or learning needs
• Provide training and mentorship on DME-related topics to INL program staff

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• U.S. Citizen
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in the area of social science, education research, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, data science, or business administration 
• Six to ten years’ experience in relevant field
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal regulations in regard to area of specific need (may be achieved by reading the Foreign Affairs Manual, section 18 FAM 300)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience teaching and mentoring others in subjects related to design, monitoring, and evaluation
• Demonstrated proficiency in Spanish (may be demonstrated through formal testing or professional references)
• Proficient in data collection, wrangling, and analysis 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Active clearance or an active clearance within the last 12 months from the date of solicitation. 
• Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution in the area of social science, education research, or business administration 
• Demonstrated experience conducting research in developing countries
• Demonstrated experience writing about complex topics for a lay audience
• Demonstrated experience presenting complex material to a lay audience in an engaging way
• Demonstrated experience developing indicators or metrics, starting from a fuzzy concept

CLEARANCE:  

A Secret security clearance is required for this position; work may begin with an interim Secret security clearance.

LEVEL OF EFFORT 

Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of the INL/RCD office in Washington, DC: Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week.

POSITION LOCATION:  

The physical work location is INL/ RCD’s office within State Annex 1 (SA-01), Columbia Plaza, 2401 E Street NW, Washington, DC. 

TELEWORK

If applicable, telework is authorized only with prior INL Office Director, Contracting Officer, and Contracting Officer’s Representative approval, in accordance with Department of State and INL policies.

USGI offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, AD&D, supplemental health plans, short and long-term disability insurance, 401(k) plan with company match, transportation stipend plus generous PTO offerings to include vacation/sick days, bereavement leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays. USGI is an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.