Overview The Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships Hub (IPI/LFT) seeks a Program Analyst - Policy Advisor to lead efforts that integrate and mainstream the principles of locally led development (LLD) into Agency policy and practice. This position will sit within the Locally Led Development Initiatives’ (LLDI) Knowledge Management, Policy, Training and Events (KMPoTE) team. This team manages organizational learning for the initiative and the synthesis, sharing, and use of evidence and experience in locally led development to support the LLDI programs and advance Agency's policies and technical practice to be more locally led. The KMPoTE team connects practitioners with the training, tools, and resources to do their work and opportunities to contribute expertise to Agency policy and learning. Background Locally led development is the process in which local actors – encompassing individuals, communities, networks, organizations, private entities, and governments – set their own agendas, develop solutions, and bring the capacity, leadership, and resources to make those solutions a reality. Through funding and technical leadership, IPI/LFT’s Locally Led Development Initiatives (LLDI) provide USAID Missions and staff with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to ensure that development assistance is locally led and advances localization. Through the following programs and opportunities, LLDI is advancing USAID’s ability to support locally led development: ● Local Works: Working with USAID Missions to drive innovation and experimentation in locally led development. ● Locally Led Development Research (LLD Research): Generating evidence and learning to drive a more effective approach to locally led development. ● Locally Led Development Annual Program Statement (APS): Enabling USAID Missions to solicit, co-create, and fund innovative approaches to locally led development. ● Unsolicited Solutions for Locally Led Development (US4LLD): Supporting innovative ideas for locally led development. ● Small Project Assistance Program (SPA): Partnering with the Peace Corps to address community priorities and boost local capacity. Responsibilities Scope of Work The Program Analyst - Policy Advisor for the Locally Led Development Initiatives (LLDI) provides a wide range of policy analysis, development, engagement, and communications support related to advancing the creation and application of effective policy for locally led development at all levels (Agency policy and guidance, regulatory, and legislative). The incumbent must be motivated, self-directed, and have the ability to independently prioritize tasks and track impending deadlines. The Program Analyst - Policy Advisor develops a working knowledge of LLDI priorities, USG laws and regulations, USAID policies and procedures, and works to complete a variety of assignments or special projects on behalf of the LLDI Initiative with minimal supervision. Key Responsibilities Locally Led Development (LLD) Policy Advisor ● Informed by the Local Works program and other LLD initiatives, develops and implements a strategic plan for further advancing and integrating LLD principles and practices across Agency policy and guidance; assesses gaps, challenges, and opportunities to influence, shape, and develop Agency-wide policy to reflect LLD principles and practices. ● Develops systems for tracking LFT/LLDI policy priorities and ongoing Agency policy efforts in order to identify opportunities for supporting, shaping, and informing Agency policies. ● Performs and/or coordinates fact-finding, research, and analysis across the full policy architecture (Agency policies and guidance, regulatory, and legislative) in order to articulate and advance LLD policy objectives. ● Drafts talking points, correspondence, memos, briefers, bios, and testimony on policy matters for the LLDI and LFT Hub leadership; contributes to the preparation of speeches, reports and presentations. ● Attends meetings with and/or on behalf of LFT/LLDI principals, and coordinates special projects as assigned. ● Collaborates with colleagues in the Knowledge Management, Policy, Training and Events team to support the ongoing strategic vision and work planning to integrate locally led development in Agency staff practices, including the LFT/LLDI team and programs. ● Regularly updates LFT/LLDI leadership and staff on Agency policy developments and application. USAID Stakeholder and Practitioner Engagement ● Works closely with Local Works and other LFT/LLDI-supported Missions, LFT/LLDI staff, and Agency experts to identify LLD evidence and programmatic lessons to inform Agency policy and guidance. ● Supports LFT/LLDI-supported Missions in their interpretation and application of Agency policy and captures lessons and evidence to be shared with Agency and external stakeholders. ● Engages with USAID Missions and USAID/Washington Operating Units (OUs) to identify and follow through on opportunities to improve, shape, develop, and inform policy in order to advance LLD practice at USAID; supports Missions to understand how Agency policy can inform activity design, procurement and implementation with local partners and inform training related to policy for Missions. ● Liaises with Bureaus, programs, and other internal Agency stakeholders in order to advocate for and identify opportunities to develop, shape, or influence USAID policy and guidance to integrate LLD principles and practices. ● Supports policy engagement with internal (USAID) and external stakeholders (Congress, U.S. Government interagency, partners, think-tanks, academia, wider development community) to advance LFT/LLDI policy goals. ● Liaises with USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) and the IPI Program Office to coordinate LLDI’s legislative engagement strategy. ● Collaborates across the LLDI team on messaging, media outreach, and special events with other Bureaus to disseminate and amplify policy positions via diverse media channels. Qualifications Required Qualifications ● Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in a relevant field (International Affairs, Communications, Economics, Public Policy, Business or related field) with eight years of professional experience and at least five years of experience relevant to the position; or Bachelor’s Degree required (International Affairs, Communications, Economics, Public Policy, Business or related field) and 10 years of relevant experience. ● Familiarity with the USAID Program Cycle and/or demonstrated experience with or knowledge of partnering, procurement (acquisition and assistance), and accountability processes relevant to locally led development in the international development space; experience in drafting scopes of work or award applications or managing USAID awards preferred. ● Experience supporting and liaising with government officials, technical experts, and senior leaders to provide technical advice and guidance on policy matters. ● Experience living and/or working in developing countries and low resource settings. ● Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing and shifting priorities; able to efficiently multitask and prioritize workload accordingly. ● Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with people at all management and support levels. ● Ability to track and share up-to-date information on a wide range of policy initiatives using Google Workspace applications or other project tracking tools. ● Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; able to read, analyze, and interpret policy documents, reports, and correspondence. ● Demonstrated cross-cultural, interpersonal, customer-service, and problem-solving skills. ● The ability to work independently, and as part of a team. ● Enthusiasm for LFT/LLDI’s mission and work. ● Eligible to obtain a Facilities Access Clearance. ● Proficiency in the use of Google Applications and Microsoft Office Suite. Preferred Qualifications ● Experience developing, coordinating, influencing, and implementing policy initiatives related to international development, foreign policy, and/or locally led development. ● Demonstrated experience developing and implementing engagement strategies with diverse development stakeholders to advance foreign policy or foreign assistance goals. ● Experience and knowledge related to U.S. Congressional procedures and processes are highly desirable. ● Facilitation skills and experience are highly desirable. About Highlight For over ten years, Highlight has provided Development and Modernization, Secure IT, and Mission Solution services to our federal government customers. Our team knows the technology; we understand how our customers and their stakeholders work; and we know how to implement industry best practices to deliver high-quality, end-to-end solutions that minimize risk and maximize results. Since our inception, Highlight has had an employee-first mindset. Our mission is to provide employees with rewarding and impactful career opportunities. In 2021, Highlight’s founder, Rebecca Andino, implemented an Employee Stock Ownership Plan to embody and expand our culture of transparency, teamwork and rewarding the work of our employees. By becoming an ESOP, our employee-owners share in the success of the company through their ownership stake. To learn more about ESOPS, check out: www.esopinfo.org. We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that empowers our people to fearlessly drive change - regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics. Our team is dedicated to foster diversity within our teams to promote creativity, innovation, and teamwork to deliver the best solutions for our customers. To receive compensation and benefits information for this role, contact us or email us at Recruiting@HighlightTech.com Please include the Req ID (this is at the top of the posting under the position title) in the subject line of the email.