Social Solutions International, Inc. (Social Solutions) is a Hispanic and woman-owned business emphasizing quality research and evaluation, training and technical assistance, and institutional support services. We are a mission-driven organization that believes that superior science can improve the world. Social Solutions is dedicated to the creation of social and health solutions to improve the welfare of underserved populations worldwide.

Social Solutions is a large, thriving business with a fun atmosphere that encourages creativity, new ideas, and employee health and well-being. We put our employees first and use empathetic leadership, taking a genuine interest in our employees’ lives and the challenges they face in and out of the workplace. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are integral to our company culture, and we are continuously striving to enhance our DEIA efforts across our company. You will feel like a contributing member of a growing team and company that has flexibility to enhance processes and procedures quickly to improve performance and growth. We help our employees carve out a professional pathway that has mutual benefits for them and Social Solutions. Social Solutions also offers exceptional compensation and benefits, detailed below.

Estimated Schedule:

Full-time

USAID Assumptions and Constraints:

1. Must be a US citizen, or US legal resident for the last 3 years.
2. Requires collaboration with USAID IPI and other Operational Units

Place of Performance:

Washington, DC -  Ronald Reagan Building (RRB).  On-site support with flexible telework options.

Travel - Limited International and Domestic Travel

Salary Range:

$83,000- $107,000

The DIV team is seeking a Program Support Specialist II to support DIV’s grantmaking process as a grantmaking specialist. The incumbent will manage the drafting, review, and clearance of key award documentation, including through extensive engagement with the broader DIV team, Agency partners, applicants, and grantees. The position will play a critical role in facilitating the creation and finalization of award packages for DIV’s grant portfolio. The incumbent will review, analyze, and synthesize large amounts of information from the due diligence process to draft concise and accurate award materials. The position will utilize a project management approach to generating documentation and coordinating partners. The position will play an important role in supporting grantees - particularly those new to USAID - and ensuring DIV awards generate the maximum possible social benefit. The position will also be responsible for other tasks to support the DIV team’s work, which may include scheduling events, application review, and broader operational support for the rapidly expanding program.

This position is located in Development Innovation Ventures (DIV), USAID’s evidence-tiered, open innovation grantmaking program that provides risk-calibrated funding for cost-effective, scalable solutions to development challenges. DIV’s principles-based funding approach has proven immensely successful: its early portfolio has already returned $17 in social benefit for each dollar awarded.

DIV is housed within the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub, which leads USAID’s work in expanding the identification, experimentation, exploration, and integration of innovative technologies, processes, and practices that amplify the success of USAID’s programming. Working collaboratively with the Agency and external partners, ITR's mission is two-fold:

1. To produce breakthrough development innovations by sourcing, testing, and scaling proven solutions that impact millions of people;
2. To transform development by opening it to people everywhere with good ideas, promoting new and deepening existing partnerships, bringing data and evidence to bear, and harnessing scientific and technological advances.

ITR is housed within the Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI), which integrates technical expertise with values-driven, cross-cutting priorities and modern approaches to the way USAID performs its work.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drafts various program documents and correspondence for procurement and award management, ensuring that all documentation is complete, accurate, and in compliance with USAID rules, regulations, and standards.
• Facilitates appropriate approvals and clearances for all award-related documentation.
• Manages timely document completion during the pre-award process, including knowledge transfer and transition between technical teams from application due diligence to grant management.
• Liaises with division stakeholders and Mission counterparts to support DIV’s Agency partnerships and obtain Mission Concurrence for DIV awards.
• Streamlines selections, procurement and award management processes, identifying and troubleshooting bottlenecks and liaising with partners across the Agency to find solutions that support the Agency’s drive toward localization.
• Proactively reviews, identifies gaps and areas for improvement, and suggests improvements to existing procedures, processes, and templates. Works to standardize new and existing practices and monitors team compliance.
• Receives, tracks, and manages multiple incoming actions and processes at once, ensuring compliance with regulations and deadlines.
• Routes communications, including clearance of official correspondence, and responds to routine requests for information. Coordinates with team members to support DIV’s clearance process, liaising with contacts across the Agency.
• Works in coordination with team members to manage DIV’s relationship with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA), ensuring compliance with regulations and timely responses to requests.
• Manages DIV’s relationship with the Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO) as the primary liaison, ensuring compliance with regulations and timely responses to requests. Serves as the primary reviewer of all grantee environmental document submissions, assisting grantees in drafting complex environmental documents.
• Supports new staff onboarding related to the procurement and grant management processes.
• Designs and implements engagement opportunities for DIV grantees to further their scale and development.
• Provides strong customer service to DIV applicants and grantees, including through management of the external-facing DIV inboxes.
• Liaises directly with division stakeholders, internally and externally to the division, supports implementation of discrete activities, and provides key information for briefings and communications materials upon request.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualification, Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 3-5 years relevant professional experience, or Master's Degree and 1-3 years of relevant professional experience required. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience reviewing, analyzing, and synthesizing large amounts of information into clear and concise written and verbal products.
• Exceptionally organized with great attention to detail.
• Comfort multitasking and managing multiple processes and moving parts while balancing different priorities.
• Track record of proactively solving problems by identifying areas for improvement, iterating, and delivering solutions and results.
• Effective at building trusted relationships with partners, and comfort working both independently and in teams.
• Strong customer service experience and mindset.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of those living in poverty.

Social Solutions offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Please submit your resume online at www.socialsolutions.biz.

Social Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.