Associate, Continuous Improvement
DAI

Job Title/Grade: Associate, Continuous Improvement

Reports to: Sr. Director, Continuous Improvement

Department: USG Business Transformation

Business Unit: USG

Work Location: Bethesda, Maryland

Function of the Team:

The Continuous Improvement (CI) team collaborates and creates partnerships with leadership and USG teams to solve business challenges and improve processes. As a team of trusted advisors, BPM manages the DAI Operations Manuals to mitigate risk and implement improvements. We are uniquely skilled and positioned to monitor quality, manage transformative change, inform decision-making, and align strategic priorities across the company.

Function of the Position:

The incumbent will work within the CI team using process re-engineering to scope, plan, and implement business process improvement projects focused on ensuring compliance, while also improving effectiveness and efficiency, in support of USG business goals. They may also complete short term (STTA) assignments for projects managed by DAI around the world.

In addition to their work within USG, the Assistant / Associate will work across business units and corporate departments to ensure that DAI's policies and procedures are maintained and updated as needed and provide quality assurance and business process management guidance and expertise.

This is a full-time position.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Administrative Management

• Provide administrative support to operations manuals and CI initiatives.

• Helps develop CI project plans and supports the facilitation of working group sessions throughout all phases of the CI process.

• Monitors, documents, and drafts presentations of process improvements.

• Supports meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss cross-department initiatives and supports the discussion of potential solutions for areas of inefficiency, bottlenecks, or waste.

• Assists in coordination of CI team assignments, initiatives, progress, status, and work.

• Processes updates and ongoing cleanup of the DAI Operations Manuals.

• Works with the USG Programs teams to ensure the content of the DAI Operations Manuals are being implemented and supported through training.

Corporate Initiatives

• Participates in cross-group or corporate initiatives that aim at improving corporate competitiveness, service quality and cost savings.

• Supports knowledge management of corporate initiatives and best practices and works in conjunction with project management to facilitate training on best practice initiatives.

Business Analysis

• Supports CI team to conduct periodic analysis of business data as directed by the Sr. Director, Continuous Improvement or designee.

• Provides input and assistance in the development of departmental priorities.

Quality Assurance

• Supports assigned quality control and assurance functions both within the team and throughout the business unit as assigned.

• Assists with reporting and ensuring compliance on specific functions identified by the head of BPM. Supports CI's maintenance of the company's Schedule of Authorities.

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Grade P2: Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience and a college degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team

• Experience coordinating and documenting meetings, working groups, or large groups of people with varying opinions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally.

• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite.

• Able to build and maintain excellent working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external clients from diverse backgrounds.

• Able and willing to travel to any country where DAI currently operates or may wish to operate barring times when DAI Global Security has deemed travel unsafe.

• Able and willing to adjust work schedule, if needed, to support teams located in different time zones/countries.

• Authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in process improvement and quality assurance.

• Experience working in an environment that implements ISO, or lean process improvements.

• Knowledge of or experience with USAID regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Experience providing administrative or management support to international donor-funded projects.

• Knowledgeable of Microsoft Sharepoint platform.

• Experience with operations manuals, policies, or procedures

• Professional working proficiency in a second language (Spanish, French, Russian, or Arabic preferred).

Compensation & Benefits:

For employees working the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $55,516to $60,414. Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S. based employees, will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, parental leave; as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI requires COVID 19 vaccinations subject to accommodation required by law.