Function of the Position:
The Senior Global Practice Specialist / Principal Global Practice Specialist/Senior Principal Global Practice Specialist (GPS) will oversee delivery of DAI’s USG climate economics-related activities and lead efforts to expand the portfolio of USAID and other US government projects focused on climate change economics, fiscal policy, and green finance.
The GPS will provide technical direction and specialized technical assistance to countries as they analyze climate change risks and opportunities from a fiscal and economic perspective. She/he will lead new business efforts for USAID and other USG projects in line with USAID priorities and strategies in part by leveraging capabilities across DAI global business units, including ongoing project work for UK, EU and other international donor projects. Due to the geographic scope of the role, this position can be based in the US or DAI’s Europe offices (London or Apsley), with some additional flexibility for candidates with directly relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities in other locations where DAI has a Corporate office.
Principal activities will include:
- Deliver excellent technical assistance to USAID and other donor-funded projects. Activities may include working with national and local stakeholders to analyze fiscal policies that promote zero-carbon, resilient, and inclusive growth; propose policies and regulatory options to facilitate the uptake and procurement of green and climate-friendly solutions; assess and strengthen institutional capacity for tracking and facilitating climate finance; and piloting innovative tools and mechanisms for incorporating climate change into capital planning at the national and/or local levels.
- Identify and lead new business opportunities related to climate change economics and climate finance and lead the preparation and writing of innovative, winning proposals for USAID projects.
- Support cross-company efforts to establish DAI's reputation as a thought leader in climate economics, green fiscal policy, and the mobilization of climate and green investments into national and local communities.
- Develop and test innovative approaches that are incorporated into winning proposals and put DAI at the forefront of climate economics providers to USAID and other donors.
- Create partnerships with international initiatives, technology providers, private organizations, and expert consultants for the delivery of climate economics and climate finance services.
- Participate in the ongoing development and implementation of DAI USG’s growth strategy focusing on USAID and other US government agencies.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Time will be allocated across these three responsibilities according to corporate need and personal capabilities; in 2022 the priority will be placed on business development and piloting tools for incorporating climate change into fiscal policy.
Technical
- Pilots new tools and methods and delivers technical expertise to field projects in the areas of climate economics, green finance, and sustainable, resilient, and equitable economic growth.
- Support technical start-ups of field projects and undertake short-term technical assignments providing training, high quality technical reports, assessments, recommendations and other deliverables as requested.
- Deliver exceptional analytical services and advisory support to projects requiring specialized climate economics expertise spanning projects across DAI’s portfolio including in environment, urbanization, fiscal policy and governance, economic growth and green finance.
Business Development and Growth
- In collaboration with the Environment Sector new business team, build on existing climate change work within the DAI USG, UK, EU and Sustainable Business Group Units to lead and/or technically support winning proposals as a lead or supporting technical writer. Work with proposal teams to formulate convincing technical approaches, develop responsive technical narratives, competitive staffing and management structures, and provide inputs into the proposal budgeting process.
- Build and grow strategic client relationships, especially with USAID, but also with other implementing and donor organizations.
- Work with the broader USG Development Innovations team to promote synergies on business development between practices and sectors.
- Identify and develop a network of climate economics consultants (especially local consultants) that can provide surge capacity for the Environment Sector. Work with the broader DAI Development Innovations team to promote synergies on business development between practices and sectors.
Thought Leadership and Knowledge Sharing
- Work with DAI’s technical sectors to identify and highlight innovative climate economics and fiscal policy approaches being implemented in projects around the world. Using this knowledge base, participate in diverse climate change networks and events that provide strategic opportunities to showcase work being carried out by DAI.
- Seek out opportunities to expand internal and external understanding of DAI’s work in climate economics, advance the use of innovative tools and approaches, draft articles for DAI publications, and develop and maintain external networks of partners, clients, and individual consultants that DAI can tap to identify business opportunities and deliver outstanding results.
- Identify, capture and share information and lessons learned from past and present projects with proposal teams and other field projects. Update key tools and lessons learned on the DAI website and other platforms.
- Strategically market DAI USG's services and portfolio.
Additional responsibilities may be assigned as business needs evolve.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
- Grade 9: Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree; or 5 years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree;
- Grade 10: Minimum of 9 years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree; or 7 years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree;
- Grade 11: Minimum of 11 years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree; or 9 years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree;
- Grade 12: Minimum of 13 years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree; or 11 years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree;
- Demonstrated experience leading, designing, and/or evaluating climate risks and assessing the benefits of projects and programs that promote climate resilience and/or low carbon development in developing country settings, including enabling frameworks for attracting investment into equitable, resilient, and low carbon solutions.
- Familiarity with a wide range of economic and/or fiscal management strategies to promote resilient and low carbon growth, including their appropriateness in low resource settings.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical teams for both delivery of climate economics projects;
- Experience in program design with a preference for experience writing and providing analysis for winning proposals.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with an ability to both address a highly informed and sophisticated technical audience whilst also able to distill complex ideas for an informed but non-technical audience, depending on the audience.
- Ability to travel to countries in which DAI has projects or new business opportunities for proposal reconnaissance and the provision of technical support to projects, barring times or locations DAI Security Office has deemed unsafe. Travel requirement expected to be up to 30% of the time (public health conditions permitting—DAI continues to limit international travel due to global pandemic conditions)
- Possesses technical knowledge and skills as evidenced by project results, publications, reports, proposals, and/or public presentations
Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Strongly Preferred Qualifications
- Fluency in one or more of DAI’s priority languages: Spanish, French, Russian or Arabic.
Supervisory Requirements:
- None
Organization and Values
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.
How to apply:
Interested candidates please apply using the link below.
https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=DAINC&cws=1&rid=6733