Vistant (formally PM Consulting Group), recognized as one of the fastest growing companies across the country and the region by Inc. 5000, Financial Times, Washington Technology, and the Baltimore Business Journal, is a public-sector management consulting firm serving Federal international development, healthcare, and social services agencies.

Vistant seeks a Technical Expert - Technology on behalf of its client partner, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This position is located in USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI), in the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub. Within DDI, the ITR Hub leads USAID in research and experimentation, digital development, and open innovation to transform development. The ITR Hub takes smart risks to test new ideas and brings together diverse partners to scale impact. Working collaboratively with Agency and external partners, ITR's mission is: to identify, expand, and integrate innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches by utilizing exploration, experimentation, and testing new solutions, methods, and technologies.

Within the ITR Hub, the incumbent will specifically support the Technology Division. As the Agency’s experts in digital development, the Technology Division works to address gaps in digital access and adoption and advance the use of technology and geospatial analysis in the development and humanitarian assistance, while also managing the risks that digital technology introduces into the lives of the communities we serve.

As an integral part of the team, the Emerging Technology Advisor will support the responsible use of digital tools to improve development outcomes. The Emerging Technology Advisor develops insights, manages projects, and provides guidance to Agency stakeholders on the implications that a range of emergent and innovative digital technologies pose for international development. Illustrative technologies or fields that the incumbent would be familiar with include big data, artificial intelligence/machine learning, open APIs, digital IDs, cloud computing, 5G, Internet-of-things, distributed ledger technology, and others. The incumbent employs a range of tasks for this work, from conducting outreach with key stakeholder groups to developing partnerships to shed light on implications posed by specific technologies for development, to developing and managing programs on key issues in this area, to developing tools and resources for Agency stakeholders (especially USAID Missions and operating units) that facilitate effective programming in this area.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct research and analysis on emerging technology questions relevant to the Technology Division’s strategy (e.g., investigating the impact of distributed ledger technologies across sectors in developing countries, exploring how AI will impact education and employment in developing countries, considering how structures such as data cooperatives could shape digital ecosystems in developing countries). From this research, develop high-quality reports, briefs, memos, and/or infographics to appropriately embed research findings within the Division’s (or Agency’s) programs and operations.
• Work with external partners (both domestic and international) to help oversee research related to the evolution of digital ecosystems in developing countries and the “appropriate use” of tools using emerging technology such as machine learning, blockchain, or digital identity.
• Direct the development of a portfolio of tools for translating S&R policy recommendations into action throughout the Agency and broader development community. Convene key members of the academic, think tank, and USAID community to elevate the discussion of S&R’s research findings and identify opportunities for S&R research findings to better support Agency objectives.
• Build an approach for strategic engagement with both Agency-internal and external stakeholders in order to establish and expand the team’s impact.
• Manage projects funded by the team, including monitoring and supporting grantee progress, building opportunities for learning exchange among grantees and relevant stakeholders, and growing existing projects for scale and sustainability.
• Support technical assistance engagements to help Agency colleagues apply emerging technologies in a way that will be effective, safe, and responsible. The Fellow would support these engagements for anywhere from 1 month to several months depending on the scope of the project.
• Assist with the implementation of the Agency’s Artificial Intelligence Action Plan.
• Provide support for the team’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) needs with relevant Agency counterparts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualification, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) Required and Master's Degree Preferred in a related scientific or technical field.
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in technology and public policy highly preferred, including experience working in academic, social, or private sector enterprises at the intersection of technology and community impact.
• Demonstrated understanding of USG foreign policy priorities and programming.
• Strong project management skills, including experience working in cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively engage with a diversity of stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, including the ability to multitask well in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to creatively problem solve, and a passion for impact.

USAID Assumptions and Constraints

• Staff working on this effort must possess the ability to obtain a current “Facility Access” clearance.
• Requires compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d); USAID Graphic Standards (available at www.usaid.gov/branding), USAID Mission & Core Values (available at http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/mission-vision-values) or any successor branding/mission/core values policies.
• Requires collaboration with USAID DDI and other Operational Units.

Estimated Schedule

• Full-time

Place of Performance

• Washington, D.C. - Ronald Reagan Building (RRB). On-site support with flexible telework.

Travel

• Some International and Domestic travel.

Applicants selected may be subject to a background investigation and must meet suitability requirements for eligibility. Vistant participates in E-Verify.

In order to ensure the health and safety of Vistant's employees and families, all employees are required to receive vaccinations as determined by the President’s Executive Order No. 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, issued on September 9, 2021, and the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors, which require COVID-19 vaccinations for all Vistant employees regardless of work location unless a medical or religious accommodation is granted by Vistant. Vistant requires all newly hired employees to be fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks after the employee receives the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine or the second dose of the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines) or have an approved medical or religious accommodation by December 8, 2021, or by their start date if it is after December 8, 2021.

Vistant provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vistant is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled