Humanitarian Policy and Program Advisor

Team Credence is a multi-company partnership proudly led by Credence Management Solutions, an industry leading government contractor with a longstanding commitment to USAID and its global health and humanitarian missions. In concert with our small business partners—ZemiTek (8(a), EDWOSB), Claro KC (MOSB), EnCompass (WO), and Global Emergency Group (SB)—Team Credence operates as one team, bringing together exceptional USAID institutional support experience, technical leadership, and an unmatched commitment to BHA and its mission.

USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) is the lead federal coordinator for international disaster assistance. USAID/BHA provides and coordinates U.S. Government (USG) international humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the physical, social, and economic impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters by supporting at-risk populations to build stable foundations to withstand humanitarian shocks and stresses. Team Credence, through the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Support Contract (BHASC), provides operational and administrative support to provide and coordinate humanitarian assistance and maintain 24/7 response capability.

Specific duties for a Humanitarian Policy and Program Advisor (HPPA) will vary based on office, division, and team assignments. The HPPA is expected to provide technical, programmatic, advisory, and analytical support to their assigned BHA team, division, or office. HPPAs possess strong technical expertise in the field of humanitarian assistance and previous professional work experience usually in USG, non-profit, or international settings. Day-to-day work assignments and oversight will be provided by a BHA point-of-contact (POC), e.g. division chiefs, team leads, or deputy team leads, with formal supervisory and evaluation functions performed by a Performance & Development Manager.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide critical support and analysis on G3PC programming, such as award making, activity management, tracking progress of deliverables, and ensuring compliance with relevant USAID/BHA guidelines and broader USG regulations. Such tasks may include reviewing and processing funding applications; performing data entry and compiling feedback from programmatic and technical staff; preparing award packages and all necessary components; maintaining award documentation, including partner reports and correspondence; tracking partner evaluation, monitoring, and reporting compliance; and managing programmatic activities and sharing recommendations with Agreement Officer Representatives.
• Coordinate the work of and provide guidance and mentorship to staff assigned to cross-cutting workstreams such as programming or a specific policy issue, as needed, to improve intra-office coordination and processes.
• Interface regularly with USAID/BHA’s geographic and technical offices regarding the office’s broader programming efforts.
• Participate in bureau- and Agency-wide working groups to ensure award consistency and complementarity.
• Engage with other parts of the bureau, with the Office of General Counsel, and with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA), as appropriate, to ensure grant-making processes are functioning in an effective manner.
• Support consistency in the grant management process across partner agencies.
• Develop familiarity with and promote uniform policies and procedures related to grant management.
• Anticipate and draft documents and briefing memos on humanitarian issues for important meetings and events.
• Provide critical analysis on humanitarian policy issues, work closely with high-ranking officials within the international community, and serve as a key source of information on humanitarian issues and humanitarian policy for the office.
• Help plan organizational strategies and responses to humanitarian crises.
• Work actively with members of UN delegations on USG positions on humanitarian issues.
• Liaise effectively with the UN offices in Geneva, Rome, and New York.
• Provide expert analytical and advisory support on humanitarian issues for the planning, development, and execution of U.S. foreign policy within a broad and complex geographic or functional specialty area.
• Apply a rigorous analytical approach to data.
• Receive general guidance but will be expected to execute independent judgment and analysis.
• Develop expertise on the interagency agreement process.
• Work with the relevant G3PC Division Directors or Team Leads to organize meetings and events.
• Participate in discussions related to the work of the current emergency responses when requested.
• Work with the G3PC Division Directors or Team Leads to coordinate visits of senior UN officials engaged in programmatic responses to ongoing humanitarian crises.
• Anticipate the needs of the bureau regarding humanitarian policy developments and prepare analyses, briefings, documents and meetings as required.
• Attend various NGO, UN, and other meetings and provide authoritative information and views to formulate humanitarian policies and coordinate strategies on policy issues.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with other relevant USG offices and serve as an expert point of contact for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs.
• Work with counterparts in other donor organizations, as well as senior-level staff, to exchange information, establish meetings on specific donor issues, solicit publications, and collect information on training opportunities; coordinate these activities with relevant USAID officers.
• Advise G3PC and other USAID/BHA staff on issues regarding donations and requests for USG support and information sharing from private and public interest groups, including those formed on an ad hoc basis during disaster assistance operations.
• Support the drafting, editing, clearing, and dissemination of written products, such as reports and briefing documents, within USAID/BHA and broader audiences, as appropriate.
• Participate in the drafting of memoranda and briefing papers where input from the G3PC Office is required.
• Assist in any follow-up actions regarding ongoing and current emergency programs.
• Draft routine responses to partner or staff inquiries and participate in making recommendations to resolve issues, as appropriate.
• Serve as an outreach coordinator or other role supporting the humanitarian coordination needs of USAID/BHA D.C.-based Response Management Teams (RMTs) and/or Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) overseas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Preferred: BS 5+ Years, MS 3+, or HS 7+ of relevant professional experience working in emergency relief or on humanitarian policy or programming issues.
• Minimum: BS 2+ Years, MS 0+, or HS 6+
• Should have relevant degree;
• Requires a thorough understanding of the international humanitarian assistance environment, operations, related policies, regulations, and inter-relationships among the USG, donor and other international organizations;
• Detailed knowledge of humanitarian operations and partner programming – at country and/or at global level - is required;
• Required to have US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance

Other Qualifications and Requirements

• Possess excellent judgment and reliability;
• Have strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail;
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Have strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite;
• Be able to multi-task and work under deadlines in a fast-paced and collaborative environment;
• Be capable of prioritizing tasks and follow up on actions without prompting;
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances; and
• Be willing to go the extra mile and participate as an active team member who assists other team members as necessary;
• Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
  • Lifting in excess of 25 lbs, standing for long periods of time, traveling across base regularly, transporting equipment, etc)
  • Hybrid work environment (in-person with the ability to telework).

Team Credence Values and Core Performance Competencies

• Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to meet obligations. Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to organization policies and procedures.
• Collegiality: Recognizes that everyone at BHA and USAID unite in a common purpose and respects each other's abilities to work toward that purpose. Treat others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations. Adheres to organization philosophies on culture, diversity, and inclusiveness.
• Capability: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals. Proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the organization.

Full salary for this position is $118,000.00 per year