Consulting with ARD—Frequently Asked Questions
1. What qualifications does ARD look for in consultants?
ARD's clients include the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), other U.S. governmental agencies, multilateral development banks, the United Nations, and governmental bodies around the globe. These clients publish Requests for Proposals (RFPs) with scopes of work and position descriptions. The main qualifications for consultancies with ARD are a combination of experience and education required by the scopes of work for projects within our five sectors. In general, this professional profile includes:
- At least 3-5 years of post-graduate field experience, particularly in a developing country context
- An advanced degree related to our five sectors and associated practice areas
- Relevant geographic experience and language skills
- Experience with our donor clients, or with other professional services firms
2. How do I get considered for inclusion in your professional roster?
Please send your current curriculum vitae (CV) by email, regular mail, or fax, to consultants@ardinc.com. Please include a cover letter that describes your interest in consulting with ARD, your areas of specialization, and your availability for long- or short-term assignments.
If you are responding to a specific job posting, please follow the application instructions contained in the job posting.
3. What format should I use for my curriculum vitae (CV)?
Please submit your CV in reverse chronological format. A template for this format can be found here.
4. What happens to my CV after I submit it to ARD?
Once your CV is received, International Consultant Services (ICS) will review it to determine if your background entails the skills and experience necessary for our practice areas and worldwide projects. If accepted, your CV will be entered into our professional roster database. This database is our main tool for matching consultants with the skills, experience and training required by our projects or proposals.
5. When will ARD contact me after I’ve submitted my CV?
ARD will contact you within 6 to 8 weeks to notify you whether or not your CV was added to our professional roster. If added, you will receive a Roster Packet that includes documents seeking more detailed information for our records. After this, an ICS staff member will contact if you if more detailed or current information is needed for your records, or if an opportunity becomes available that matches our personnel needs for a current project or proposal.
6. I am registered with ARD as a consultant already, and want to be considered for a specific job opening on your website. Do I still need to apply, or can I simply express interest?
It is recommended that you still apply for the specific position, as you may wish to tailor your CV to emphasize your qualifications for the specific opportunity. If applicable, you should mention in your cover letter that you are already a member of our professional roster.
7. What forms does ARD require for its professional roster?
ARD requires the following forms for its professional roster:
- Updated CV
- Employee Biodata (EBD) form (USAID form 0412-520)
- Professional Roster Questionnaire (PRQ)
All personal information sent to ARD, Inc., is kept confidential, and is not shared outside the firm. Also, we will not use your CV and/or related materials in proposals or for any other purpose without your permission.
8. What is the Professional Roster Questionnaire (PRQ)? Is it necessary for me to complete it?
The PRQ is the main form that we use to enter your skills, training, experience, and education into our professional roster. To ensure that we have the most complete and up-to-date records about you, your skills, and your background, submitting a completed PRQ is essential. When we notify you that you have been accepted into our professional roster, a PRQ will be sent to you to complete.
9. How often should I update my records with ARD?
We advise that you send us updated CVs and Biodata forms every 6 months, especially if you frequently work short-term consultancies. Please submit these to consultants@ardinc.com. If we need other updated information in order to consider you for a project or proposal, an ICS staff member will contact you directly.
Also, please contact us as soon as possible with any changes to your contact information (phone number, mailing address, email address), or if you wish to update your experience, training, education, certifications, and/or availability for assignments.
10. Who should I contact with questions about ARD’s professional roster?
Please direct any questions regarding ARD’s professional roster to consultants@ardinc.com. We will make every effort to respond to your inquiry as promptly as possible.
To update any information in your professional roster file, please send all updates to consultants@ardinc.com.
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