Evidence Advisor, Office of the Chief Economist, (Evidence Use)

About the Project

Through the Private Sector Engagement Modernization Contract (PSEMC), Dexis supports the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) PSE Hub to expand and deepen collaboration with the private sector to achieve greater development outcomes. The PSE Hub's mission is to create the institutional conditions, operating infrastructure, and capacity necessary to expand engagement with the private sector in the United States and partner countries. The PSE Hub works to transform and modernize how USAID does development by institutionalizing USAID's PSE policy and delivering capacity- and systems-building support for PSE across all sectors, operating units, and countries where USAID operates.

About the Position

Dexis is seeking an Evidence Advisor to support the independent Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), which supports USAID in improving the effectiveness of its programming by bringing stronger economic evidence, theory, and tools to bear on the Agency's work. Toward this end, OCE

1. Promotes the use of high-quality evidence of "cost-effectiveness" (i.e., how much impact does an intervention deliver per dollar spent) in Agency decision-making;
2. Promotes the generation of more cost-effectiveness evidence that the Agency is uniquely placed to catalyze;
3. Provides analysis and advice to Agency leadership on pressing macroeconomic issues.

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC, with the possibility for remote work. It is currently envisioned to last two years, with the possibility for extension.

Responsibilities

The Evidence Advisor will support OCE efforts to increase the use of impact evidence in program decision-making, with a particular focus on identifying the differential impact of interventions on key development outcomes for key populations. This will involve exciting opportunities to collaborate with technical teams and Missions across the Agency on the differential impacts of programming in many sectors, as well as identifying opportunities to strengthen processes, policies, systems, and capacity to consider the needs of marginalized groups in the use and generation of cost-effectiveness evidence. Essential functions for this role are outlined below:

Synthesize Global Evidence and Provide Actionable Insights from Evidence to Support USAID Decision-Making (40%)

• Following OCE's standard approach, plan and carry out syntheses of cost-effectiveness evidence related to specific development outcomes. Includes conducting both in-depth and rapid syntheses, drawing on existing evidence synthesis where available, incorporating external program cost data to complement impact evaluation evidence, and providing clear guidance to Agency colleagues.
• Develop work products from these evidence syntheses that can be used by a wide range of stakeholders within the Agency to improve a wide range of Agency programs
• Make recommendations to technical Bureaus, Missions, and other Operating Units on how they can assess program effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, including for specific marginalized populations, via formal evidence syntheses as well as on-demand from counterparts around USAID
• Stay abreast of the latest external randomized evaluation evidence from academia and other research institutes, particularly as it relates to heterogeneous program impacts across different sub-populations; identify and execute on new opportunities to apply insights from emerging evidence to USAID's work.
• Compile and communicate information to USAID colleagues about the relative cost-effectiveness of different interventions-and the strength of underlying evidence-in user-friendly, actionable ways to guide Agency decision-making.

Build Capacity through New Tools, Guidance, and Products (25%)

• Engage with a broad range of USAID stakeholders to understand how, when, and why they do-or don't-use cost-effectiveness evidence as part of USAID-funded programs.
• Develop tools and guidance that can support USAID colleagues in using cost-effectiveness evidence as part of program design and implementation.
• Identify and execute new approaches to strengthening the knowledge and abilities of Agency staff in using evidence from randomized impact evaluations and cost-effectiveness analyses.
• Periodically seek input on tools, guidance, and/or products from expert individuals or groups outside of USAID.
• Support the development of internal and external communication products about cost-effectiveness evidence and OCE's work on evidence use.

Provide Technical Assistance to USAID Operating Units (35%)

• Make recommendations to Missions and other Operating Units on how they can assess program effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and significantly change their programs through greater use of evidence.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with a wide range of USAID Missions and other Operating Units to surface collaboration opportunities.
• Understand the problems that colleagues in Missions and other Operating Units face in using cost-effectiveness evidence in their programming and in integrating high-quality randomized impact evaluation and cost-effectiveness analysis into program evaluation.
• Provide high-quality hands-on technical assistance to USAID Missions and other Operating Units on use and generation of evidence, including through virtual and in-person support (requiring overseas travel).

Perform Other Duties as Assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, or a related field plus five years of relevant experience (or Master's degree plus three years), where relevant experience is defined as experience generating or applying impact evidence on international development programs;
• Experience reviewing and summarizing evidence on program impacts and cost-effectiveness in international development, humanitarian work, or a related field;
• Experience reading impact evaluations of development programs, particularly randomized controlled trials, and drawing conclusions based on statistical evidence;
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assimilate and process large amounts of information into a coherent and compelling narrative
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with people at all management and support levels;
• Excellent communication (written and oral), interpersonal, and collaboration skills
• Highly developed cultural awareness and the ability to work collaboratively in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Problem solving orientation and ability to manage dynamic workflows and priorities with multiple stakeholders
• Eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Ability to attain and maintain a facilities access or secret-level security clearance
• Ability to travel internationally up to 20% of the time on short notice

Preferred

• Active facilities access or secret-level security clearance is strongly preferred
• Experience living/working in developing countries
• U.S. Government/USAID experience or knowledge of how USAID works

Compensation

Below is the pay range aligned with this position. When developing a range, Dexis evaluates compensation holistically, triangulating between external market research, our budget for the position, and internal equity to arrive at a figure that is fair and competitive. Offers within this range will be based on an individual candidate's qualification, relevant education and experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs.

Dexis pay range for this role: $85,000 — $105,000 USD

Dexis is on a mission to help solve today's most pressing global political, social, and economic challenges and create a world where all people are safe and prosperous. As a Dexis employee, you will be challenged, empowered, and mentored. Our motto is "find a way or make a way" - that's how Dexis goes "all in." How will you?

If you are passionate about this opportunity, apply now!

Only those applicants who meet the above criteria will be contacted for interview.

Dexis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, military service, veteran status, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, childbirth and related medical conditions, including lactation, or any other protected class under applicable law.

As part of a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, Dexis provides healthcare insurance in addition to other staff welfare benefits and perks.

If you are hired for a position that is paid from the Dexis home office, you will be required to submit proof that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine unless you qualify for a legally recognized medical or religious exception to the vaccine requirement. This does not apply to AL, AZ, FL, KS, MT, NH, ND, or TX residents.