Localization and DEIA FSN Empowerment Advisor (1099/IC only)

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PLR Localization and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Foreign Service National (FSN) Empowerment Advisor position description (PLR/SPP)

Position title: Localization and DEIA FSN Empowerment Advisor

Organizational unit within the Agency: Bureau of Planning, Learning, and Resource

Management (PLR)

Washington DC - telework eligible; remote work eligible

Position title and grade of the direct Supervisor: PLR’s Localization Advisor, GS-14

equivalent.

Program and Role Overview:

USAID’s localization goals include shifting power to local actors and ensuring they have a

meaningful seat at the table. USAID defines localization as the set of internal reforms, actions,

and behavior changes USAID is undertaking to ensure our work puts local actors in the lead,

strengthens local systems, and is responsive to local communities. Localization requires

integrating a diverse group of local voices and leadership into all aspects of our work and is

closely aligned with the principles of locally led and inclusive development.

The Agency’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategy commits USAID to

improving and enhancing diversity throughout the Agency, enhancing inclusion and equity for

everyone in the workplace, and strengthening accountability for promoting and sustaining a

diverse workforce and an inclusive Agency culture. Localization and the DEIA strategy support

each other to promote programming that is broadly inclusive, and ensures a diverse set of local

actors have a seat at the table in decision-making processes.

One of the Agency’s most valuable assets are our Foreign Service National (FSN) colleagues in

our Missions around the world. USAID FSNs are the Agency’s institutional and local knowledge,

and are an important key to forward movement in our Agency locally led and inclusive

development goals and objectives.

The Bureau for Planning, Learning, and Resource Management (PLR) seeks to establish a cohort

of FSN Localization Fellows focused on advancing localization and incorporating DEIA practices

into USAID programming. The cohort will empower the Agency’s greatest resource to more fully

participate in advancing locally led and inclusive development goals and objectives over a

sustained period of time. The cohort will also increase FSN empowerment by strengthening

capacity through shared experiences, needs, and resources within the cohort as well as a

diversity of stakeholders throughout the Agency.

This position will support PLR to implement the bureau’s FSN Localization cohort program. The

selected candidate will create criteria and methods for selecting localization and DEIA FSN

champions across the Agency, bringing these champions together once in Washington, and once

in a region for peer-to-peer learning and sharing opportunities, as well as providing advice and

guidance to maintain momentum amongst the network members. The selected candidate will

also coordinate across Agency bureaus to involve a diverse range of stakeholders in the

development and implementation of the fellowship program.

In addition, this position will organize and utilize existing localization and DEIA resources to

share with and collect feedback from the cohort to develop Agency-wide resources for FSNs and

other staff. Based on need and demand, this position will create guidance and tools for

managing and maintaining the cohort program as well as supporting FSN and Mission-specific

needs regarding locally led and inclusive development efforts. The position will leverage locally

led and inclusive development expertise from across the Agency to support the cohort,

strengthen capacity of its members, and build lasting connections between Washington and the

field.

Illustrative Deliverables include:

● Develop an action plan for PLR’s FSN Localization Cohort program

● Development of purpose, objectives, roles and responsibilities of the fellowship

● Criteria and process to select Fellows and review their proposed research

questions, work plans, and deliverables

● Development of tools and use of technologies required to connect Fellows to

each other and other stakeholders

● Design and implement two in-person peer-to-peer learning events for Fellows, one in

Washington DC and one in a region (to be selected), in addition to virtual peer-to-peer

exchanges throughout the program.

● Identify and consolidate existing Agency locally led and inclusive development resources

to share and distribute amongst the FSN Fellow cohort as well as other Agency

stakeholders.

● Provide relevant guidance, mentoring, and tools to ensure that the FSN Fellow cohort

successfully achieve their localization goals.

● Develop a sustainability plan to ensure continued support and knowledge sharing

amongst cohort partners after two events are completed.

● Develop methods to distribute learning from the FSN Fellows to PLR and incorporate

their best practices into existing localization materials.

● Draft clear, concise written communication in the form of guidance, blogs, frequently

asked questions, presentations, How-To Notes, etc. to support new policy directions,

especially locally led and inclusive development.

● Create tools and guidance to help Washington and field operating units to increase their

effectiveness in promoting locally-led and development.

● Liaise with the Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI), the FSN

Advocacy Council, and other Bureaus and teams as required.

The security level required for the position: Facilities access

Travel requirements: Occasional travel is expected. Not to exceed three trips in a calendar year.

Minimum Qualifications and Basic Eligibility Criteria

Educational requirements: Applicants must have either a Master’s Degree in a related field and three years of experience or a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and five years of relevant work experience.

Technical and professional experience:

Required experience: (Bachelors and 5+ years of experience) OR (Masters and 3+ years of experience)

Including: least two years of project management experience, at least two years

of experience working in an international setting or international organization, as well as

significant facilitation experience, particularly community building in a remote and global work

setting.

Applicants must have experience working with people from diverse cultures and

experience working effectively in a team and individually to respond to and support needs

across multiple offices and customers.

Desired experience includes:

● Designing, leading, and/or implementing activities aimed at supporting peer-to-peer

learning, tools development, and knowledge management

● Designing, planning, and/or advising on the development of programming aimed at

strengthening locally led development, inclusivity in programs, and sustainability

● Managing complex and fast-paced international development programs, projects,

and/or activities, including working closely with a broad and diverse set of internal and

external stakeholders.

Skills and abilities:

Applicants must have excellent customer service, oral and written communication, and

teamwork skills. Applicants must be able to work independently, with a team, and under

pressure. Applicants must be proficient in relevant IT systems, including Google. The applicant

must have the ability to obtain the security level and medical clearances as required for the

position.

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