Director, Management Technology and Capabilities (MTC) Program, Homeland Security Research Division (HSRD)

Job Type:

Program Overview 

Within RAND, the Homeland Security Research Division (HSRD) conducts research and analysis for the U.S. government; state, local, and tribal governments; and private foundations. HSRD operates the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC), an FFRDC operated by RAND under contract with the Department of Homeland Security. HSOAC conducts studies and analysis that provides the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with subject-matter expertise, analytic rigor, and timely analysis to support operations, policy development, and decision-making for DHS and its partners across the Homeland Security Enterprise as they address complex challenges in preventing terrorism, managing U.S. borders, enforcing and administering immigration laws, safeguarding cyberspace, and strengthening national preparedness and resilience.

Position Description 

The Management, Technology, & Capabilities Program (MTC) seeks to strengthen DHS and assist sponsors across the Homeland Security Enterprise by advancing research and analysis that ensures that the overall organization, workforce, resources, and technological capabilities are appropriately aligned to confront urgent threats and execute missions.

MTC conducts analyses that help DHS headquarters mature acquisition management, systems test and evaluation, facilities management, information technology (IT) systems modernization, data governance, requirements analysis, financial management, and supply chain risk management.

MTC also seeks to help DHS and our domestic and international security partners accelerate innovation through research and development (R&D) and acquisition analysis on emerging technology topics and threats (e.g., 5G, cyber, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)).

This research concentrates on: 

• Requirements and Acquisition Planning and alternatives analysis to formulate program requirements, analyze capability, plan acquisitions, manage acquisition programs, alternatives analysis, and analyze lessons from completed or terminated acquisition programs. 

• Research & Development (R&D) Studies to provide DHS analyses of early-stage R&D activities, portfolio planning and analysis, performance analysis to support testing and evaluation, and support for optimal transfer of technology and products into government operations or licensing for use by others. 

• Innovation and Technology Acceleration, to include emerging technology assessment and transition, to help DHS develop and track key metrics of progress for technologies being developed within the government and industry, and, in cases where performance is sufficient, to support technology transition to DHS components. This includes identifying roadblocks to successful deployment (e.g., public concerns about privacy or safety about a new system). 

To conduct this research, the MTC Program draws on researchers from a range of disciplines in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics as well as economics and other behavioral sciences, operations research, and political science. The MTC Program Director, reporting to the Vice President and Director of HSRD, will maintain these research streams in the near-term; proactively adjust program emphasis to stay on the cutting edge of policy issues for DHS; recruit, retain, develop, and lead researchers; and work externally to enhance the policy impact of the program.

As a leader within the HSRD management team, the Management Technology and Capabilities Program Director will also be responsible for: 

• Providing intellectual leadership for program research;

• Championing the RAND culture of quality and be an active participant in the HSRD quality assurance process to ensure the program’s products are of high quality, relevant to client needs, and produced on time and within budget;

• Demonstrating excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including a commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion;

• Managing projects to ensure the program’s products are of high quality, relevant to client needs, and produced on time and within budget;

• Working constructively with project leaders and other staff to support their work for sponsors at DHS and across the Homeland Security Enterprise;

• Supporting ongoing HSRD activities (e.g., staff meetings and planning sessions);

• Assisting with staff performance reviews;

• Providing advice to the HSRD director as part of the leadership team;

• Developing new business through direct contacts with key clients and other potential sponsors and shaping proposals for new avenues of research.

This is a 5-year, renewable term position, providing 100% coverage.

Qualifications 

Applicants should have an excellent track record in academic, government, or policy research settings related to the policy domains of the HSRD Management Technology and Capabilities Program. The record should demonstrate strong research and analysis capabilities, deep knowledge of the policy environment, excellent leadership and organizational management capabilities, and the ability to build, maintain, and manage a research program. The Director must have exceptional abilities in interpersonal relations, managing staff and client relationships, and in written and oral communications. All researchers at RAND must have a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

A program director within HSRD must: 

• Have experience working directly with senior homeland, law enforcement, or national security officials; 

• Have and maintain recognition as policy expert in his or her field; and 

• Be able to evaluate and oversee large, complex, multi-disciplinary analyses. 

Education Requirements 

Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as natural or physical sciences, management science, operations research, engineering, mathematics, economics, etc. Master’s Degree or equivalent required; PhD preferred.

Experience

• Experience equivalent to RAND full level researcher with a minimum of 8+ years required conducting policy research in a government, corporate or research environment; Experience equivalent to a RAND senior level researcher with 10+ years of experience preferred.

• Experience in managing complex teams in a client-oriented research environment.

• Experience working directly with senior homeland, law enforcement, or national security officials.

Security Clearance

Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance and DHS Fitness. U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. An active Secret clearance is preferred. 

Location

Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA. This position is a flex role, which provides the opportunity for work from home and the office, with at least 50% of days worked on-site at one of the RAND offices required. Fully remote is not available for this role. 

Salary Range

Full Researcher: $115,400 - $190,000

Senior Researcher: $152,700 - $262,500

Hiring ranges for Economists, Management Scientists and Physician Researchers are slightly higher than the ranges shown.

At RAND, the research program management role is a termed assignment that is performed by an experienced researcher, but the researcher role is not a termed position. The candidate selected for this role will be offered regular employment with RAND as a researcher. RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment as a Full or Senior researcher in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). This position may also be eligible for additional compensation. RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Application Review

Review of applications will begin on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet