Project Director USAID Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fellowships Program

Overview of the Company

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 seeking a Project Director for the anticipated US Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fellowships Program. USAID intends to procure services that will provide and support a fellowships program aimed at bringing STEM expertise into the Agency and equipping the fellows to perform their duties successfully. Each fellow will be assigned to specific work units within the Agency. The fellowships are meant to provide USAID with the subject matter expertise and broad problem-solving skills of individuals trained in the scientific method to strengthen the Agency’s capacity to effectively support international development. For fellows, these opportunities provide exposure to Federal programming and policymaking, as well as professional development.

Overview of the Position

The Project Director will be responsible for providing the overall vision and leadership of the STEM Fellowships Program. They will design the strategic goals and objectives, provide oversight, and ensure the successful implementation of the program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, maintenance, and implementation of the program in collaboration with Social Solutions home office staff.
• Serve as primary liaison with USAID stakeholders and work collaboratively to ensure successful fellowship appointments.
• Oversee the development and execution of a successful recruitment strategy that develops a pool of applicants who represent the wide range of technical and geographic breadth of work that USAID manages.
• Ensure fellows receive professional guidance and mentorship and performance reviews.
• Prepare and oversee the implementation of a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) strategy.
• Develop and provide orientation and professional development support to the fellows.
• Oversee technical assistance and logistics related to staffing requirements (e.g., security clearance, travel arrangements).
• Ensure a full complement of staffing solutions to support the fellows (e.g., payroll, benefits).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, higher education, management, or other related fields.

• At least ten (10) years of demonstrated experience with managing or supporting the successful execution of donor-funded projects.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

• Understanding of USAID policies and procedures and DEIA strategies and implementation.

• Working knowledge of USAID structure including bureaus, offices, and missions desirable.

• Experience in at least one area of human capital such as recruitment, training and development, employee experience, administration, or related talent domains.

• Access to or familiarity with science and technology networks, organizations, and academic landscape a plus but not required.

• Experience building and maintaining communities of practice/networks is a plus but not required.

• Native-level proficiency in written and spoken English.

Equal Employer

Social Solutions International offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Please submit your resume online at https://www.socialsolutions.biz/work-with-us.

Social Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. 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.