Program Analyst (Foresight Analyst)

Overview:
Highlight is seeking a detail-oriented Program Analyst (Foresight Analyst) to provide direct technical support to USAIDs Bureau for Policy, Planning, and Learning (PPL), which develops the policies, strategies, and technical support that guide USAIDs worldwide mission to support countries in their development progress. Your primary objectives include: (1) supporting the assessment, design, and potential establishment of a new strategic foresight capability within USAID/PPL, in close coordination with staff and leadership engaged in foresight analysis and/or strategic planning processes conducive to foresight-oriented analysis and planning in the Agency and U.S. Government interagency; and (2) building general awareness, practical skills and literacy, and a community of practice around USAIDs emerging strategic foresight capability with Agency staff, including among USAID Policy Working Groups. You will assist in developing and implementing plans to improve the quality of foresight thinking and practices at USAID. You will support PPLs coordination role with respect to use of qualitative and quantitative evidence in USAID Policy, Program Cycle, and Collaboration, Learning, & Adaptation (CLA) processes.You will work closely with other PPL staff engaged in foresight-oriented work to ensure complementarity of effort and to bolster foresight literacy across USAID staff. You will work with a range of technical experts across bureaus and offices to develop, integrate and strengthen long-range planning and futures-oriented analyses into USAID policy, program, and strategic communication processes. Initial topical areas of emphasis may include: climate change; democratic governance; corruption; the influence of authoritarian regimes in the developing world; the COVID-19 pandemic and related global health issues; and conflict and stabilization. Examples of target processes may include Development Policies (as delineated in ADS 200), Agency Strategies, Regional and Country Development Cooperation Strategies (R/CDCSs), portfolio reviews, and/or other USAID/Washington or Mission-level strategy processes. The foresight function may also contribute to the development of the next USAID Policy Framework and to forward-thinking efforts with the State Department to co-develop Joint Strategic Plans (JSPs) and Integrated Country Strategies (ICSs). The foresight function may also coordinate with other Federal government agencies to provide insights in interagency processes.

Responsibilities:
Support the conceptual design, strategic planning, and early-stage implementation for USAID/PPLs emerging foresight capability.Provide technical activity management of futures-oriented analysis and research supporting near-term policy development efforts for priority issues.Prepare global, regional, topical, and country-based foresight analytical products under the technical direction of the USAID/PPL Policy Office, using quantitative and qualitative foresight tools.Draft high-level reports synthesizing foresight-related best practices and lessons learned from inside and outside USAID to support PPL Bureau foresight scoping efforts.Draft issue briefs, editorials, briefing memos, and oral presentations to socialize foresight findings and techniques across USAID.Produce and review manuals, technical guides, how-to notes, and other training documents related to foresight analyses and planning.Coordinate and prepare guidance to USAID Bureaus and Missions on available foresight resources and techniques.Prepare and deliver status update briefings on progress made on foresight thinking and practices to all levels of Agency stakeholders, including senior leadership.Evaluate available quantitative and qualitative foresight tools, models, research, and data resources.Collaborate and build networks with all levels of management, other federal agencies, and third-party institutions to identify and leverage leading foresight techniques and related policy and strategic analysis findings and recommendations.Identify and contribute to emerging policy issues and issues of cross-cutting importance, such as reviewing Agency policies and strategies for insertion of futures thinking, conducting research, developing presentations, and providing future-oriented policy analysis on key issues.

Qualifications:
U.S. Citizenship.Current Secret clearance, or ability to obtain a secret clearance, required.Masters degree in relevant field (eg. Data Analytics/Science, Statistics, Quantitative Modeling, Economics, Political Science, International Development, Social Sciences, Public Administration/Policy) with 5 years of work experience or Bachelors degree with 10 years of work experience.At least two years of experience, preferably more, in strategic foresight methods and applications (e.g., scenario planning and development, drivers analysis, identification of critical uncertainties, horizon scanning, windtunneling, hypothesis testing, the Delphi method, emerging issues/weak signals analysis, backcasting, futures wheel etc.) strongly preferred. Familiarity with current best practices in qualitative methods, red-teaming, and small-group facilitation strongly preferred. Experience with methods in quantitative forecasting preferred.Strong network of contacts within the foresight or international development or foreign affairs community desired.Familiarity with foreign assistance and/or international development issues, preferably in scenario planning, futures analysis, horizon scanning, risk assessment and risk management, institutional capacity building, and/or organizational learning or some combination preferred. USAID experience in a wide number of areas including policy, budget, programming, organizational management, and operations preferred.Knowledge of the organization and operation of large size entities working in international development or foreign affairs.Familiarity with strategy and policy development methods and processes, especially for government and/or international development entities, preferred.Proven ability to critique, analyze, and elevate strategies and ideas, with strong understanding of cross-functional resources and a diverse strategic skill set spanning industry categories. Strong demonstrated analytical skills critical.Strong client management and relationship-building skills, demonstrated through experience with catalyzing programmatic learning and adaptive management in USAID or other foreign assistance agencies (including large NGOs, contractors, or international organizations such as the U.N.).Strong writing skills and the ability to communicate complex programming concepts into clear, concise written documents, and oral presentations required.Must be able to plan, organize, and use time effectively. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work within tight deadlines.Demonstrated flexibility and capacity to adapt to and operate in environments of uncertainty.Demonstrated ability to work effectively both in teams and as an individual contributor.Fluent English required and additional languages desired.

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, Highlights founder and CEO, 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.Were 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.

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