Client Solutions Architect, Economic Growth and Agriculture

Job Description

The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance. **

The Opportunity**

The Client Solutions Architect (CSA) for Economic Growth and Agriculture is a member of Abt’s Resilient Economies Portfolio team within the Client Engagement and Growth Division. As the CSA, you will contribute directly to new business opportunities by serving as a lead technical writer for USAID proposals and concepts, contributing to technical solutioning, capturing new opportunities, generating client demand, and engaging with program delivery teams to ensure client-centric solutions on projects that fully understand and effectively respond to the client’s needs, constraints, objectives, and operating environment.

You will provide technical expertise and critical analysis to drive Abt’s growth and brand recognition in the Resilient Economies portfolio which includes economic growth and governance, competitiveness and trade, workforce development, agriculture market systems strengthening, and food security and livelihoods development. The role will complement and support other Client Solution Architects focused on inclusive economic growth and market-based development. You will apply your writing, analytical, and project implementation expertise in these technical domains to help Abt tailor responsive solutions while also drawing from across Abt's capabilities and the repeatable solutions developed and maintained by Abt’s capabilities organization. You will also bring a strong customer perspective in incorporating these solutions into proposals and, upon project award, engage with delivery teams to facilitate implementation of the technical solution to achieve project goals. **

Core Responsibilities

**_New Business and Proposal development (70%)

_ - Serve as a technical writer and/or opportunity lead and/or technical lead for capture and proposal efforts with clients, particularly USAID. - Support capture and proposal design efforts within the Resilient Economies portfolio. - Support efforts to integrate Abt’s capabilities in equity, digital solutions and monitoring, evaluation and research into new business activities. - Partner with the Resilient Economies Client Account Lead (CALs), project leads, and others to identify and execute client demand generation efforts.

_Strategy and Thought Leadership (20%)

_ - Support the portfolio vice president and client account leads in developing growth strategies and plans in one or more of the following technical areas: agriculture, climate resilience, food security, economic growth, economic governance. (20%) - Contribute to developing and refining Abt’s approaches and partnerships for inclusive and climate resilient economies that favor women, youth and other marginalized groups. - Seek, develop, and share information that extends Abt’s knowledge within the agriculture and economic growth sectors and apply that information to guide development and delivery of concepts, theories and products.

_Program Implementation (10%)

_ - Engage with the Delivery organization (program implementation) and the capabilities organization (technical thought leadership) to coordinate and obtain knowledge, expertise, and solutions needed for individual bids. (10%) - On newly awarded opportunities, support account and project leadership to transfer the technical vision to the project team and to support the translation of that vision to technical, management, and staffing solutions fit to the client’s operating environment. - Serve as a technical advisor and/or project quality reviewer on Abt projects. - Support critical client conversations on projects and captures, to include helping to manage issues, address points of customer dissatisfaction, and gain the customer's assessment of Abt performance (e.g., "voice of the customer").

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree + 9 years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + 7 years of relevant experience or Ph.D. + 4 years of relevant experience
• At least 5 years of professional experience related to international development, focused on agriculture and/or economic growth projects and policies.
• Significant experience in business development and client relationship management focused on agriculture and/or economic growth. Proven track record of winning work, including in roles such as Opportunity Lead and/or Technical Lead.
• Experience identifying and defining detailed, inclusive solutions appropriate to agriculture and/or economic growth opportunities.
• Proven expertise devising and implementing inclusive economic opportunities for women, youth, and other marginalized groups across agriculture, economic growth and employment markets; exhibits ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness in understanding and advancing thought leadership related to inclusive economic development.
• Ability to act independently to uncover issues and propose solutions associated with meeting client needs.
• Experience and willingness to work in a highly matrixed environment.
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed to meet business requirements.
• Commitment to Abt’s mission to improve health and well-being for people worldwide, and to Abt’s commitment to centering equity as the cornerstone of our identity.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits, flexible schedules, and professional development.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $120,888 - $193,420 and may vary by ten percent depending on candidate geographic location. Salary offers are made based on internal equity and market analysis.

_Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

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