ZemiTek, LLC is a Woman-Owned, SBA-certified 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) based in the Washington, DC metro area. We have a strong record of delivering innovative and high-quality solutions. Since 2007, ZemiTek has provided technical assistance, project management, information technology (IT), knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, training and learning development, and institutional support services.
Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) — a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC, and Dexis— is seeking a Children in Adversity Senior Technical Advisor to support the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI), Inclusive Development Hub (ID Hub). The ID Hub’s mandate is to promote the rights and inclusion of marginalized and underrepresented populations around the world in the development process, working across various technical areas to “combat stigma and discrimination, promote empowerment and inclusion of marginalized or underrepresented groups, and improve the lives of populations in high-risk situations.”
USAID’s ID Hub serves as the government's leader in promoting integrated development approaches to ensure full social participation in the development process by all involved, specifically by promoting participation from the world’s underrepresented, historically-marginalized groups. The ID Hub’s policies promote the needs and engagement of children in adversity, youth, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ persons. USAID’s Suggested Approaches for Integrating Inclusive Development Across the Program Cycle and in Mission Operations defines Inclusive Development as “the concept that every person, regardless of identity, is instrumental in the transformation of their own societies and their inclusion throughout the development process leads to better outcomes.”
USAID’s Children in Adversity (CA) team leads interagency efforts to implement Public Law 109-95, the Global Child Thrive Act (GCTA), and Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity: A U.S. Government Strategy for International Assistance (APCCA). The team also programs USAID/Vulnerable Children (VC) account funds. APCCA guides a whole of government approach to investing in the development, care, dignity, and safety of the world’s most vulnerable children and their families, fostering collaboration and coordination, and maximizing results across departments and agencies.
The Children in Adversity Senior Technical Advisor will be a member of this team based in Washington, DC. This is a long-term position with an immediate start date. The Children in Adversity Senior Technical Advisor will work across a broad range of technical functions. The Technical Advisor will lead on activities related to Objective 2 of APCCA and will guide programming to support those most vulnerable children who are, or are at risk of, living outside of family care by promoting, funding, and supporting nurturing, loving, protective, and permanent family care.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include: program design; review of proposals and technical documents; project monitoring and assessment; communication with USAID personnel, grantees, technical experts, and the general public; report writing; situation analysis; and ad hoc tasks.
The Senior Technical Advisor will support the effective implementation of APCCA in the following ways:
- Provide input with regard to policy and programs on issues related to children in adversity, in particular, investments in care reform, family strengthening, and the delivery of social services;
- Contribute to strategic planning to address goals and priorities of the CA Team;
- Provide technical support regarding the design and implementation of programming of VC account funds and other action to address family care for children, as well as coordinating with USAID/CA colleagues regarding early child development and child protection;
- Maintain a supportive working relationship with partners implementing USAID/VC account-funded projects with the aim of achieving project objectives by: critically reviewing project descriptions, work plans, quarterly reports, financial expenditures, and other documents; having regular exchanges (via e-mail, virtual meetings, phone); and making on-site visits to assess the progress of activities, follow-up on issues identified, and provide relevant technical guidance;
- Remain current on technical information relevant to children in adversity, especially regarding strengthening and preserving family care for children and supporting family reintegration or alternative family placement, including identifying and sharing with partners and colleagues technical resource documents, research findings, training opportunities, and other sources of information;
- Make country visits to provide technical support and guidance to USAID missions, host-country governments, and project partners to assess needs and opportunities, develop and strengthen strategic approaches to address APCCA objective 2 issues; and monitor and strengthen project implementation, documenting each visit with a report;
- Support planning for, and implementation of, external evaluation of projects.
- Collaborate with Inclusive Development Hub colleagues and other technical experts to coordinate programming and develop guidance material relevant to achieving APCCA objectives;
- Participate in technical reference groups that contribute to learning and action relevant to APCCA;
- Participate in relevant training and professional development to maintain and upgrade technical skills, undertake new learning, and comply with USAID requirements;
- Contribute to addressing cross-cutting Inclusive Development Hub and Agency priorities, including the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Master’s level or above in child and family studies, international development, social work, public health, community development, or another relevant discipline.
- Minimum 10 years' experience working on childcare and protection issues, at least five years of which includes being based overseas.
- Working understanding of child development issues.
- Track record of developing and delivering technical solutions and high-quality work products on schedule.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical issues to generalist audiences.
- Experience leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of large, complex strategic initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to work diplomatically and collaboratively, build consensus, and bridge diverse perspectives and interests with a geographically and culturally diverse group of stakeholders.
- Ability to problem-solve and adapt within a complex environment, including in field locations.
- Prior experience working with donor-funded programs, including the provision of technical assistance to field offices.
- Demonstrated ability to stay highly organized, with excellent follow-through.
- Active Facility Access Clearance, or, the eligibility to obtain a secret clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with, soliciting feedback from, and facilitating projects with members of the intended beneficiary population.
- Intermediate to advanced skills in data collection and using research to inform and impact policy development, strategic planning, and project implementation.
- Bilingual preferred; at a minimum, the ability to communicate proficiently in a second language.
- Demonstrated interest in inclusive development, social justice, and engagement with historically marginalized groups.
ZemiTek is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.
ZemiTek embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to build and maintain a safe environment where we celebrate diverse backgrounds, treat everyone with respect, and value the unique lived experiences each person brings based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, age, marital status or family status and related conditions.
All members of DDI are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All members of the Bureau are expected to value diversity, equity, and inclusion in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.
If you are hired for a ZemiTek corporate, project or consultant position, we will require proof that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine and are fully vaccinated, unless you qualify for a reasonable accommodation due to a valid religious or medical reason preventing you from being vaccinated.
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