APD Strategy Lead - Federal Child Welfare Tech

ICF; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF, a global advisory and technology services provider, seeks an APD Expert to guide the development, review, approval, and management of Advance Planning Documents for child welfare programs.

You will collaborate with the Children’s Bureau, state agencies, and tribal partners to ensure alignment with federal requirements and funding expectations. The role emphasizes governance, cost analyses, procurement reviews, and producing guidance and briefings to support informed decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Human Services, or a related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience supporting child welfare, human services, or federally funded technology modernization initiatives
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a federal Public Trust clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on APD development, review, approval, and management.
• Review APDs, budgets, cost allocation plans, project schedules, procurement documents, contracts, feasibility studies, alternatives analyses, and cost-benefit analyses for completeness, quality, and compliance with Federal requirements
• Develop technical guidance, templates, job aids, white papers, technical bulletins, training materials, and best practices that improve State and Tribal APD submissions and reduce review-cycle delays.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation on child welfare information systems, CCWIS requirements, Federal financial participation, procurement strategies, project governance, project management, and systems planning.
• Conduct technical reviews of State and Tribal child welfare systems and associated project documentation and provide written findings, recommendations, and technical feedback.
• Analyze Federal regulations, policies, guidance, and industry trends to assess impacts on Children’s Bureau initiatives and State and Tribal child welfare information systems.
• Prepare executive briefings, analytical reports, presentations, technical assistance products, and recommendations that support program oversight and informed decision-making.
• Facilitate technical assistance meetings, workshops, webinars, and consultations with Federal, State, Tribal, contractor, and vendor stakeholders.
• Evaluate and provide feedback on procurement strategies, RFPs, contracts, governance approaches, project plans, and other planning and oversight documentation related to child welfare information systems.
• Support onsite and virtual monitoring, assessment, and technical review activities and develop reports documenting findings, risks, recommendations, and follow-up actions.
• Monitor emerging child welfare technology, policy, and program trends and recommend improvements to Federal guidance, review practices, and technical assistance approaches.
• Provide quality assurance review and subject matter expertise for APD analyses, technical assistance products, and client deliverables.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Facilitation

Technical writing

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Human Services, or a related field

Master’s degree in Public Administration, Information Systems, Business Administration, Social Work, Public Policy, or a related field

Job description

ICF, a global advisory and technology services provider, seeks an APD Expert to guide the development, review, approval, and management of Advance Planning Documents for child welfare programs.

You will collaborate with the Children’s Bureau, state agencies, and tribal partners to ensure alignment with federal requirements and funding expectations. The role emphasizes governance, cost analyses, procurement reviews, and producing guidance and briefings to support informed decisions.