Evaluation Support Specialist

Competitive Innovations is seeking an Evaluation Support Specialist. The Evaluation Support Specialist  will augment the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Budget and Planning (BP), Office of Performance and Planning (OPP), Performance Reporting and Evaluation Division’s (PRE) strategic performance and evaluation staff in fulfilling elements required by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993 (P.L. 103-62) and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-352), the Foundations for Evidence Based Policy Making (P.L. 115-435) (Evidence Act), and OMB Circular A-11 including assisting with designing evaluations, formulating research questions, researching  programs and policies, and developing metrics, in addition to other social science research methods and activities. This position is full-time and in-person. Located in Washington, DC. The salary range is $75k-83k.
 

Responsibilities:

• Provide support to working groups in the development of new learning agenda research and evaluation activities. The contractor may be asked to research program design, qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, results interpretation, the development and monitoring of evaluations, and the incorporation of methodological rigor and scientific integrity.
• Provide resource materials on social science research and evaluation methods for performance and evaluation analysts.
• Conduct needs assessments for the development of strategic planning and evaluation courses. 
• Support the completion or implementation of the Annual Evaluation Plan, Capacity Assessment, and Learning Agenda required under the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act.
• Support BP/OPP/PRE’s efforts to engage and support Department stakeholders (i.e., Performance Improvement Officer) in implementing strategic planning, performance management, and performance analysis initiatives.
• Support other known and emergent BP/OPP/PRE day-to-day activities and reporting requirements (other activities as required).

 
Minimum Qualifications:

• Active Secret Security Clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in field related to social science research or evaluation and 1-3 years of related experience or master’s degree
• Highly proficient with standard software, including the complete Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SharePoint), and an ability to learn and work with other software, as well as database applications
• Knowledge of the principles and methods applicable to researching, analyzing, and writing regulatory material and related issue/policy memoranda and interpretations
• Familiarity with principles and practices of knowledge management
• Familiarity with formulating, writing, and implementing reporting mechanism, policies, processes, and procedures
• Experience developing report with quantitative and qualitative data
• Familiarity with program administration, operating procedures, oversight, and monitoring
• Strong, timely and precise organization skills and multi-tasking abilities
• Strong critical and creative thinking and analytical skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, and multitask in a high volume, fast-pace work environment
• Strong ability to also have a flexible, team-oriented approach to work
• Excellent ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to exercise personal and professional discretion in handling project of a sensitive nature
• Exposure to U.S. foreign affairs agencies and/or international organizations
• Qualified candidates that are HUBZone residents (check your status here:  https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map#center=39.828200,-98.579500&zoom=5