5 Technical Specialist II, Social and Behavioral Science - United States Jobs in Bethesda, MD

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Technical Specialist II, Social and Behavioral Science - United States

Democracy International

Bethesda, MD | Full Time

$71k-89k (estimate)

4 Days Ago

Social & Behavioral Science Graduate Fellow - United States

Democracy International

Bethesda, MD | Temporary

$74k-97k (estimate)

7 Days Ago

Social and Behavioral Science Graduate Fellow - United States

Democracy International

Bethesda, MD | Full Time

$73k-96k (estimate)

1 Month Ago

Social and Behavioral Science & Learning Graduate Fellow - United States

Democracy International

Bethesda, MD | Full Time

$73k-96k (estimate)

1 Month Ago

Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Technical Specialist II - United States

Democracy International

Bethesda, MD | Full Time

$67k-86k (estimate)

5 Months Ago

Technical Specialist II, Social and Behavioral Science - United States

$71k-89k (estimate)

Full Time 4 Days Ago

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Democracy International is Hiring a Technical Specialist II, Social and Behavioral Science - United States Near Bethesda, MD

Technical Specialist II, Social and Behavioral Science

Democracy International (DI) is seeking to hire a full-time Technical Specialist II, Social and Behavioral Science to lead the integration of behavioral insights into the design, implementation, and evaluation of its international democracy, human rights, governance (DRG), and peacebuilding programs. The Technical Specialist will join the Social and Behavioral Science & Learning (SBS & Learning) Team, an innovative technical team based at DI’s headquarters that integrates social and behavioral sciences and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) to support evidence-based and sustainable programs. As a senior member of the SBS & Learning team, the Technical Specialist II will work closely with other team members to provide subject matter expertise, strategic direction, and thought leadership within the company on applying behavioral science research and insights in DI’s work. This position is based at DI’s headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, and we will only consider applicants who are based in the Washington, DC area and willing to work a hybrid in-office/remote schedule.

Essential Job Duties:

As a subject matter expert, the Technical Specialist II will:

Follow the latest research in behavioral economics; social, cognitive, and organizational psychology; political behavior; and other behavioral sciences that are relevant to DI’s programs
Apply behavioral science research and insights frameworks to accurately diagnose behavioral problems relevant to DI’s programs
Design and analyze Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)—including pilots, labs-in-the-field, and large-scale field experiments—to evaluate behavioral science interventions

The Technical Specialist II will provide strategic direction to DI in several ways:

Build awareness and understanding of social and behavioral sciences and opportunities to apply them in DI’s work among colleagues at DI headquarters and field offices
Develop intuitive toolkits and trainings that facilitate the uptake of behavioral insights and frameworks
Push for breakthrough ideas, grounded in behavioral science, that can change how and how well DI designs, implements, and evaluates development programs
Mentor and engage junior staff and model best practices for boiling complex ideas down into usable tools

As a thought leader, the Technical Specialist II will:

Communicate the value of behavioral insights through white papers, presentations, blogs, webinars, and other forums directed at development practitioners
Develop and present original research through relevant professional channels, including academic publications, conferences, professional associations, and others
Socialize and curate existing behavioral insights relevant for development programming.

The Social and Behavioral Science Technical Specialist II will be expected to travel to DI field offices approximately 20 percent of the time, and to leverage their subject matter expertise to assist with applying behavioral science to the fundamentals of winning and implementing DI’s programs, which may include:
1. Support new business

Identify new business opportunities that leverage DI’s comparative advantage in behavioral insights via government and private sector partnerships
Lead and support junior team members in conducting literature reviews to inform bids and proposals with the latest evidence from the social and behavioral sciences
Contribute to and occasionally serve as lead technical writer on bids and proposals that leverage behavioral insights.

2. Support project implementation

Provide quality assurance and support for implementation of behaviorally-informed programs in DRG, conflict mitigation, peacebuilding, and resilience.
Contribute to and lead programmatic reports, special studies, evaluations, assessments, and other deliverables related to behavioral science
Propose and review indicators to measure outcomes of behaviorally-grounded programs
Lead and oversee capacity building for DI staff and partners on the application of social and behavioral sciences in their work
Review and design questionnaires and sampling frames for surveys conducted for behaviorally-grounded programs
Assist with analysis of quantitative and qualitative data related to behaviorally-grounded programs.

Requirements:

Effectively performing these core functions requires curiosity, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a passion for learning through both successes and setbacks. The Social and Behavioral Scientist will be self-motivated and flexible, adept at both creative and analytical thinking, and have a strong desire to help disadvantaged and marginalized populations across the world.
Our ideal candidate will meet the following criteria:

PhD in behavioral economics, social or cognitive psychology, political science or a field in the family of behavioral sciences; or MA/MS in social and behavioral sciences with equivalent practical experience
Experience leading complex projects, preferably in developing countries
Proficiency in quantitative research methods and analysis – especially experimental design and analysis; sampling, questionnaire development, and survey data analysis for description and inference. Experience with and/or interest in developing proficiency in qualitative research methods and mixed methods designs preferred
Proficiency with statistical programs (R and Stata preferred) and data visualization. Experience with qualitative research program (e.g., NVIVO and/or Dedoose) preferred.
Ability and confidence to provide direction to senior leadership and to model a learning mindset for the organization
Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative style with the ability to inspire engagement and drive diverse stakeholders to a common solution

Reporting:

This position reports to the Director of Social and Behavioral Science & Learning

Environmental Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, printers, and moderate traffic).
Ability to work in a confined office space/area.
Ability to sit and/or stand at a computer desk for an extended period of time.
Ability to travel on long plane flights across several time zones and at irregular hours.

Physical Requirements Required to Perform Essential Responsibilities:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to;

Stand, sit; talk, hear, use of hands and fingers, and perform repetitive motions to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
Reach, stoop, or kneel, to adjust computer and/or telephone equipment.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
Hearing abilities required due to telephone.
Light to moderate lifting is possible.
Travel will require moderate lifting, sitting for extended periods of time, overnight flights across multiple time zones;
Regular, predictable attendance is required; as business demands dictate.

Democracy International is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its employment process for individuals with disabilities to meet any and all physical requirements of our jobs.

Application Process:

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. DI is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining the best talent, and the position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is identified. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed. DI will only contact candidates of interest.

About the Organization:

DI provides technical assistance, analytical services and project implementation for democracy, human rights, governance and conflict mitigation programs worldwide for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. State Department and other development partners. Since its founding in 2003, Democracy International has worked with civil society organizations, political parties, election-management bodies, government agencies, legislatures, justice-sector institutions, and others in 80 countries.

DI welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for DI employees. DI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at DI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.