Category: Career Advice

usaid senior digital development advisor job description

Official Job Description: USAID Senior Digital Development Advisor

Here is the official USAID Digital Development Advisor job description. Please use this position announcement to guide you in developing the experience, skills, and competencies you’ll need to be a successful candidate.

Contact me to improve your ability to get this type of job.

I know much about this role. I helped write this job description years ago, and I was a USAID Senior Digital Development Advisor for USAID/Zambia in 2022/2023.

Please be sure to follow all the guidance and respond to the application exactly as they instruct. USAID will not consider job applications that do not follow every single rule and expectation in the JD.

General statement of purpose of the contract

In line with USAID’s Digital Strategy, the USAID Development Program Specialist – Digital Development Advisor (DDA) – will enable USAID to better harness the local digital ecosystem for more effective and efficient development and humanitarian assistance programming.

The DDA will be responsible for implementing the Agency’s Digital Strategy in support of the Mission by applying their skills and expertise to:

  • Guide Mission programming in the responsible use of digital tools and approaches and
  • Support the growth of an open, inclusive, and secure local digital ecosystem.

This requires considering the Mission’s portfolio as a whole and providing broad and strategic support as well as detailed, technical support in response to Mission needs.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Digital Strategy helps ensure that digital investments are integrated into the host-country’s broader digital ecosystem and contributes to the country’s sustainable development. It also outlines new tools and resources that empower staff and streamline processes to accelerate development impact.

The Digital Development Advisor will facilitate the Mission’s implementation of the Digital Strategy and serve as the Missions’ technical expert in digital development. Digital Development Advisors must be able to provide technical guidance to implement Digital Strategy initiatives within the Mission, provide technical guidance and support to all Mission’s technical and support offices, and work closely with Mission colleagues and leadership as well as in-country counterparts on critical digital initiatives taking place in the partner country (ex: 5G spectrum allocation, Digital ID, Digital Payments).

In addition, the Digital Development Advisor will be expected to act as the interlocutor with headquarters. The Digital Development Advisor will support all Mission offices, with responsibilities that include:

  • conduct a Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) and regularly update the content;
  • provide recommendations to technical offices on areas of opportunity for the integration of digital tools and approaches for programming and areas of risk that programming will need to mitigate;
  • inform USAID engagement on host nation digital policy and regulation;
  • establish partnerships with the host nation, other donors, private sector, and civil society on digital development;
  • support the Mission in inventorying and leveraging existing platforms to achieve Mission digital priorities and goals; help the Mission implement digital best practices as outlined in the Principles for Digital Development;
  • facilitate coordination between Mission staff and digital experts in headquarters and Agency communities of practice, and strategically craft programming in conjunction with technical offices so as to fully benefit from the increased potential for impact and additional insights that digital development can offer.

The Digital Development Advisor will work alongside other Missions’ Digital Development Advisors across geographies, other Mission staff managing digital programs across technical offices (including activity managers and COR/AORs), and fellow Mission Digital Development Advisors across the globe.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

Digital Strategy Implementation

  • Lead the Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) process, develop plans to implement recommendations, with support from headquarters and update the assessment annually.
  • Lead the development of a Digital Development Mission Order that provides guidance to the Mission on what required steps they must take to integrate the Agency’s Digital Strategy in their work including project and activity designs, and performance management.
  • Consult with Mission colleagues to offer needs-based suggestions and demonstrations of utility of the Digital Strategy initiatives for improving outcomes.
  • Participate in and/or lead conferences, trainings, and other means of promoting, creating knowledge, and building capacity related to the responsible use of digital technology in Agency development and humanitarian assistance activities.
  • Develop partnerships and network with local innovators, youth organizations, NGOs, cultural and religious organizations, the private sector, local media and academia to build and provide a space to nurture and share innovative ideas, develop the next generation of thought leaders, and build local capacity.
  • Work with headquarters to provide basic training to Mission staff on Digital Development broadly and digital approaches specifically tailored to Mission needs.
  • Facilitate technical support between headquarters and the Mission to support the initiatives of the four-track implementation plan for the Digital Strategy (adopt an ecosystem approach, help partners navigate risk and rewards, shift to digital by default, and build the USAID of tomorrow).

Technical Support and Project/Program Management

  • Provide technical and organizational advice to Mission staff in integrating digital development tools and approaches to better meet strategic objectives.
  • Engage a wide set of stakeholders throughout the Mission as well as from private sector, multilateral agencies, and foreign organizations, with respect to coordinating on integration of digital approaches and best practices.
  • Convene and participate in technical meetings, consultations and working groups with key stakeholders to address issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, digital payments, and digital inclusion, both internally and within the wider international development and technology communities.
  • Contribute to the development of digital innovations and adaptations of digital innovations to advance Mission goals.
  • Introduce and advise on digital tools for development (e.g., crowdsourcing platforms or mobile data collection tools).
  • Collaborate with and support related Mission projects to ensure they are reaping the benefits of digital tools and services. Provide technical support for specific digital interventions (e.g., mobile phone-based systems for real-time data collection and digital financial services, including negotiations with mobile network companies and other service providers).
  • Identify and facilitate the use of appropriate implementing mechanisms that best meet program needs, facilitating expert guidance during the design of activities employing digital tools.
  • Perform and/or evaluate data-driven analyses of project success in achieving stated goals. Identify opportunities for further improvement and take steps to make appropriate changes.
  • Perform AOR/COR duties for digital development mechanisms as needed.

Strategic Planning and Support

  • Provide a technical perspective to ongoing Mission programming, introducing and supporting policies and processes that enable incorporation of digital tools and analytical capacity in the Mission’s portfolio.
  • Work closely with Mission staff across teams and across sectors to review and identify optimal entry points for digital tools and analytical support. Build digital technology into requests for proposals (RFPs) and contracting language. Proactively scout for new ideas and opportunities within the local technology community, among USAID partners and externally, and include them in strategic planning for the Mission. In particular look at approaches or technologies that can be implemented in an integrated fashion across sectors or across offices.
  • Manage processes intended to identify and act upon opportunities to further define and address pressing development challenges through digital and analytical means.
  • Build collaborative relationships within the Mission, the Agency, and with implementing partners, to identify and incorporate digital solutions with relevance in the local context. Keep partners appraised of progress and critical issues. As appropriate, identify additional entities capable of adding value to the project, and seek support.
  • Identify opportunities for new external partnerships with the private sector, local partners and others on digital global goods, common architectures, interoperability and public use (e.g., shared short codes) and lead proposal and partnership development efforts in close collaboration with the Mission, and with support from the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub where applicable.
  • Prepare and present concept papers, background analyses, and briefings to build support for the use of digital tools throughout the Mission.

Competencies & Capabilities

This Digital Development Advisor will demonstrate strong capabilities in the following technical areas of expertise:

  • Advising organizations on how to incorporate digital solutions into their programming to support the achievement of development objectives including working with mobile devices, internet connectivity, digital financial services, and solutions for data collection, analysis, and sharing, preferably in international development, including a comprehensive understanding of solutions for Short Message Service (SMS), Interactive Voice Response (IVR), smartphones, tablets, social media, websites, and messaging apps.
  • Experience managing projects in line with the internationally recognized Principles for Digital Development and U.S. policies related to open data and internet freedom.
  • Supporting, using, or working with Digital Payment providers and/or applications with a particular focus on improving financial inclusion
  • Supporting, using, or working with GIS software to include providing data analysis and data visualization products.
  • Working with Internet Service Providers (ISP), local governments, and communities to support digital inclusion and reduce the digital divide.
  • Building, facilitating, coordinating, and maintaining large-scale collaborative efforts between numerous donors, NGOs, private industry partners, and other stakeholders.
  • Working in start-up companies/organizations. Entrepreneurial failures are considered as valuable learning experience.

Minimum Qualifications for the Position

All candidates must meet the Minimum Qualifications. Applications will be screened accordingly, and only those who meet the below, required criteria, will be moved forward in the recruitment process.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in public policy or administration, international relations, political science, information and communication technology, computer science, or other related degree supported by significant training in information and communication technology or digital development.

Prior Work Experience

At least five years of progressive experience providing support and technical expertise around a variety of digital development initiatives for stakeholders in International Development, Donor Agency or Private Sector Organization.

Experience working alongside government counterparts and other key stakeholders such as private sector and non-profit sector on designing and implementing digital development initiatives or developing policy to support open, secure, and interoperable digital infrastructure.

To advance to the evaluation stage, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications above. Applicants who do not meet all the education and experience requirements are considered not qualified and will not receive further consideration .

ict4d job qualifications skills

A Recruiter’s Inside Tips for Breaking Into an ICT4D Career

I am an award-winning ICT4D practitioner. I’ve coached countless professionals on how to transition into digital development. I’ve seen what works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to standing out in this competitive field. Here is hard-earned cover letter and resume wisdom that will help you on your journey to digital development sucess.

Tell Your Story with Purpose

Your CV lists your accomplishments, but your cover letter? That’s where the magic happens. It’s your opportunity to weave a compelling narrative about how your unique background, perspectives, and experiences is exactly what the organization needs – even if they don’t know it yet. Stay authentic as you connect your past experiences and the future role with this company.

Embrace Your Non-Traditional Background

Here’s something that might surprise you: you don’t need to meet every single requirement in a job description to be the perfect candidate. Take it from someone who started as an accountant and now works in ICT4D – sometimes the most innovative solutions come from unexpected places.

Invest in your self with career coaching.

The key is articulating how your skills transfer. Maybe your experience managing a local community project taught you more about user-centered design than a traditional tech role would have. Own that story.

Master the Art of Presentation

Let’s be real – recruiters often wade through hundreds of applications for a single position. Making your application easy to digest isn’t just courteous – it’s strategic. Keep these guidelines in mind:

  • Stick to two pages maximum. If you haven’t captured interest by then, adding more pages won’t help.
  • Use clear, consistent formatting throughout your resume. You may want to test what your CV looks like as just text too, since many online submission forms will auto-generate a version of your CV from a text version of your Word or PDF document.
  • Highlight key achievements and skills using numbers to quantify your accomplishments.
  • Structure your content logically so someone can skim your CV and understand your career trajectory

Mind the Details

Job hunting can be exhausting, but attention to detail matters. I’ve seen brilliant candidates stumble because they didn’t proofread their applications. True story: I regularly receive cover letters addressed to the wrong organization or mention the wrong job. These small oversights can make a big difference.

Stay the Course

Perhaps the most important advice I can offer is this: be patient and persistent. The hiring process in international development organizations can move at a glacial pace. It’s not uncommon for recruitment cycles to stretch over several months.

Remember, this isn’t a reflection of your worth or capabilities. Keep applying, keep refining your approach, and keep believing in your potential. The right opportunity isn’t just about timing – it’s about being prepared when that timing arrives.

ict4d dream job opening

5 Signs That Dream Digital Development Job Isn’t Really Yours

We’ve all seen it—a job posting that seems tailor-made for your skills, aspirations, and career goals. As you scroll through the description, you envision yourself thriving in the role. But then a nagging doubt creeps in.

Is this job wired for someone else?

In the competitive world of international development, especially in niche fields like digital development, not all job postings are as open as they appear. Many organizations already have a candidate in mind, and the hiring process is more about meeting procedural requirements than truly casting a wide net for the best talent.

You may need to reassess your job search process. That’s okay. I can help!

Here are five signs that your “dream job” might already have someone else’s name on it.

1. The Dream Job Opening: Too Good to Be True

When a job description feels like it’s been plucked straight from your career bucket list, take a moment to scrutinize it. Jobs that sound too good to be true often are. Perhaps the posting reads like a utopian combination of a high-impact role, a prestigious organization, and a compensation package that seems unusually generous.

In reality, such postings are often crafted with a specific individual in mind—someone already within the organization or a trusted external consultant. The “perfect match” vibe could be because the role was tailored for that person. While organizations are required to post job openings publicly, the process can sometimes serve as a formality rather than a genuine search for candidates.

To protect your time and energy, approach these dream job postings with cautious optimism. Apply if you genuinely meet the qualifications, but don’t be discouraged if you never hear back. It’s not necessarily about you—it might be about internal politics.

2. The Blink-and-You-Miss-It Application Window

One of the biggest red flags that a job is wired for someone else is a very short application window. For instance, a position that’s only open for seven days screams exclusivity. Most organizations in digital development aim to attract a diverse pool of applicants, which takes time. Short windows suggest that they’re not really looking for candidates—they’re fulfilling an internal requirement to publicly advertise the job before offering it to their preselected choice.

Here’s what this means for you: unless you’ve been following the organization closely and can drop everything to craft a stellar application on short notice, the odds aren’t in your favor. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s better to recognize the signs early and allocate your efforts elsewhere than to waste time chasing a role that’s already spoken for.

3. Highly Specific Requirements: The Unicorn Candidate

Some job descriptions read like they’re searching for a mythical being. A PhD in AI software development and donor fundraising expertise? Fluency in three languages and a decade of experience in a highly specialized sector? These overly narrow qualifications might not reflect the actual needs of the position but rather the unique profile of a pre-selected candidate.

This tactic is common in organizations that need to justify their hiring choice by pointing to a highly specific skill set. By crafting the job requirements to fit their preferred candidate, they minimize the risk of being challenged during the hiring process.

If you meet the qualifications, go ahead and apply. But if you find yourself wondering whether you’re “enough” for the role, it’s likely because the bar was set to exclude most applicants, not to identify the best one.

4. Location-Specific Constraints: The Must-Be-Here Clause

In a world where hybrid and remote work have become the norm, location-specific job postings can be a red flag. If the posting insists the candidate must work out of a specific city—especially if that city aligns with where a potential internal candidate already resides—it’s worth considering whether the requirement is a covert way of narrowing the applicant pool.

Digital development roles often involve work in international or remote contexts, where location-specific requirements don’t necessarily make sense. Insisting that a hire be physically present in one office suggests that the organization already knows who they want—and that person lives nearby.

If you’re willing to relocate and meet the qualifications, don’t hesitate to apply. However, understand that this could be another sign of a wired job.

5. Logical Next Step: Promotion as an Open Search

Have you ever read a job description and thought, This sounds like a natural next step for someone already in the organization? That’s because it often is. Wired jobs frequently serve as promotions in disguise, designed to elevate an internal candidate from a junior or mid-level role to a more senior position.

These postings often feature language that mirrors the responsibilities of the candidate’s current job, with a few additional duties tacked on for good measure. The organization can point to the posting as evidence of an open search while quietly advancing their internal succession plan.

If you’re an external candidate, this dynamic can be incredibly frustrating. However, understanding that the game might already be rigged can help you manage your expectations and focus on opportunities where you have a real chance.

If you’ve read this far, please consider career coaching to improve your job search.

chatgpt cover letter cv resume writing

How to Use ChatGPT to Improve Your Cover Letter and Resume

There are so many interesting jobs to apply for in digital development that you can feel overwhelmed. You ask yourself this key question every time:

“How can I use ChatGPT to customize my cover letter and resume to this ICT4D job?”

Here is how you can use Generative AI to improve your Cover Letter and CV when job searching for ICT4D roles in three easy steps.

1. Use ChatGPT to improve your CV

You can use this ChatGPT prompt to have the GenAI LLM improve and customize your CV for the specific digital development job opportunity.

“Review this [Job Description link] with [Organization link]. Compare the [Job Title] to my attached CV [Upload Resume]. Adapt my CV to emphasize the skills and experiences that align with the [Job Title].

ChatGPT will then create a CV that highlights how your experience fits with each of the job requirements and expected employer needs listed in the job description.

2.Use ChatGPT to Improve Your Cover Letter

You can use this prompt to have ChatGPT to make the GenAI LLM write you a cover letter that shows your excitement for that humanitarian relief or international development organization.

“Create a 750 word cover letter that highlights my relevant skills for this role and shows my enthusiasm for the [Org]’s mission, based on my previous experiences listed in my CV.”

ChatGPT will then develop a cover letter for you that showcases how you believe in the organization’s mission and which past experiences prove that you worked on these ideas previously.

3. Review ChatGPT Output for Accuracy

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have the horrible habit of interjecting “hallucinations” – outright lies – into their responses. You cannot submit a cover letter and CV that contain fabrications. This practice can get you fired.

Hence you need to review every line of the ChatGPT-authored  cover letter and CV and double-check every fact to make sure the LLM didn’t make anything up. After all, ChatGPT is only an overeager graduate assistant too happy to please you.

chatgpt interview practice

How to Use ChatGPT to Prepare for Tech4Good Job Interviews

ChatGPT can be an amazing tool to use in the job search quest – with limitations. Though its best if you know someone at that firm to help you get an interview.

What to do when you have an interview? Practice!

Job Search Assistant – a custom GPT that is optimized for the job search  – is an excellent tool to help you prepare for interviews. Here is how I use it every time I am going to interview for a new job:

1. Ask it to help you prepare for the role.

Once you go to the Job Search Assistant, you can ask it a simple question: Can you help me prepare for a job interview for this role [insert link to job opportunity]?

The GPT will respond with a summary of the key activities the employer expects from the applicant, and probably give you mock interview questions. If it doesn’t respond with interview questions, you can ask it to give you mock interview questions.

As you respond to the questions, it will grade your responses and offer helpful tips on what to say or not, based on the job ad.

2. Ask it how to answer based on your CV

Here is the really cool practice tool. Ask it to produce mock interview questions and answers based on your CV. You can upload your CV in PDF format, and the GPT will review it and respond using your CV as guidance.

Now its time for you to real and remember each question and it’s possible answer. You shouldn’t expect to get these questions in the interview, but by practicing these questions and answers, you can be prepared for the questions they do ask.

How do you use ChatGPT in the job search?

I’m not paid to say this about Job Search Assistant. I just find it a really good way to prepare for interviews. There are other interview GPTs you can practice with too.

Please share your tips and tricks with me via email. I too am looking for a new job and I’d love to know how Generative AI can help us all get to an employment we love.