Job Title/Grade: Principal Global Practice Specialist (G12)

Department: Development Innovations

Reports to: Senior Global Practice Manager

Date: August 8, 2022

The Security, Transparency, Accountability and Rule of Law (STAR) practice is part of the USG business unit’s Governance technical sector. The technical specialists within the practice draft proposals for and support a robust portfolio of USAID-funded programs around the world in the governance areas of national-level institutional strengthening, anti-corruption, accountability, civil society strengthening, citizen security, crime and violence prevention, and access to justice.

The Practice Specialist will be responsible for supporting the STAR Practice as part of the larger Governance Sector, including supporting new business efforts, and assisting project implementation in governance areas. The Practice Specialist collaborates with other specialists across the sectors and geographic regions to contribute to growing DAI’s market share in three keys ways:

The Practice Specialist’s time will be allocated across the three primary areas of responsibility based on corporate need and personal capabilities.

Business Development & Growth

• Prepares for, supports, and/or leads new business efforts including pre-positioning and responding to specific Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), particularly in the STAR practice.
• Supports 4 to 5 proposal efforts per calendar year as contributing writer, proposal manager, champion, and/or lead technical writer.
• Builds and grows strategic client relationships with USAID and other USG entities as directed.
• Collaborates to identify technical trends and capabilities which guide annual new business plans and technical requirements for proposal support; participates in setting bidding priorities.
• Supports development of a multi-year plan to expand DAI’s work in the Practice’s technical areas, focusing on products and services that address the needs of USAID.
• Supports the Practice and Sector to develop and maintain a new business pipeline; identifies and develops a network of consultants (especially local consultants) that can provide surge capacity for the sector.
• Work with the broader Development Innovations team to promote synergies in business development between practices and sectors.

Technical & Project Implementation

• Supports projects to ensure a high standard of technical excellence in delivery of results according to client expectations. This includes leading or participating in technical start-ups and other assignments to ensure high quality delivery.
• Undertakes short-term technical assignments providing expertise to USG and other business unit projects that either directly contribute to exceptional project performance or in the completion of strategic assignments that feed back into technical thought leadership and strengthen DAI’s competitive new business advantage in their field.
• Participates in cross-sector, cross-practice, and cross-business unit initiatives that foster and build DAI’s technical leadership or advances process improvements across teams.

Brand Development

• Enhances DAI’s brand by producing content for the DAI website and contributing to internal and external publications including articles, reports, videos, and other multi-media presentations.
• Supports the development and dissemination of DAI’s technical brand with the aim of building and advancing DAI’s technical reputation and competitive position through participation in conferences, events, and seminars and through generating content for DAI’s social media platforms.

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree and 13 years of relevant professional experience; or a master’s degree and 11 years of relevant professional experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience in business development for USAID or other international donor clients in the areas of institutional strengthening, citizen security, anti-corruption, accountability, civil society strengthening, and/or justice preferred.
• Possesses technical knowledge and skills as evidenced by new business development, and project-level experience and success, publications, reports, and/or public presentations
• Self-directed with strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks/competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Able to work as part of a decentralized team with minimal oversight.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex or technical information clearly, and tailor communication style to diverse audiences.
• Able to build and maintain excellent working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Able and willing to travel to any country where DAI currently operates or may wish to operate barring times when DAI Global Security has deemed travel unsafe.
• Able and willing to adjust work schedule, if needed, to support teams located in different time zones/countries.

Preferred, but not required:

• Field experience as Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, or technical lead preferred on USAID-funded projects.
• Minimum of 3-5 year of experience in new business development preferred.
• Masters in areas such as international relations, political science, law, or economics.
• Fluency in an additional language besides English, with Spanish, French, or Arabic preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI requires COVID-19 vaccinations subject to accommodation required by law.