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Ascension is seeking a Senior IT Research Advisor to serve as a CIO/CTO Advisory Lead supporting executive-level technology research, analysis, and strategic advisory services for DHS CISA leadership. This role is intended for a senior technology advisor who can translate complex IT trends, market research, best practices, and emerging technology risks into practical executive guidance.

The position supports CISA’s need for timely, independent insight on technology trends and best practices for senior leaders and operational component stakeholders. The SOW states that CISA leadership requires recommendations and advice on technological trends, best practices, stakeholder requirements, and rapid access to the latest information tailored to executive priorities.

This is a strong fit for a candidate with CIO/CTO advisory experience, IT strategy expertise, executive communication skills, and hands-on understanding of cybersecurity, cloud, telecommunications, infrastructure, portfolio management, software/hardware trends, and government technology environments.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The Senior IT Research Advisor will provide executive-level IT research and advisory support to help CISA leadership identify, evaluate, and plan strategic technology initiatives. The role will support advisory calls, executive briefings, written research reports, strategy reviews, and annual roadmap workshops. The SOW requires access to research and advice on CTO/CIO-level challenges, unbiased insight tailored to CISA’s technical and mission environment, and support for reviewing technology strategies, plans, and policies.

The ideal candidate will be a self-directed senior advisor who can work with limited supervision, synthesize large amounts of technical information, anticipate executive questions, and produce clear recommendations. The candidate should be comfortable advising on topics such as disruptive technologies, strategic IT sourcing, cloud infrastructure, network security architecture, and mobile device security, which are specifically identified in the requirement.

This position requires strong judgment, executive presence, research discipline, and the ability to convert technology research into practical decision support for federal leaders.

Expected Activities

• Advise CISA executive license holders on CIO/CTO-level technology challenges, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Conduct research on cloud computing, cybersecurity, infrastructure, mobility, applications, telecommunications, portfolio management, and emerging government IT trends.
• Facilitate executive advisory calls and meetings to identify, refine, and address leadership priorities.
• Develop written research reports based on CISA’s strategic technology roadmap, executive priorities, and annual workshop outcomes.
• Review and comment on technology strategies, plans, policies, and related documents.
• Support annual executive workshops focused on three-to-seven-year technology roadmaps and future priorities.
• Translate technical research into clear executive recommendations, decision points, and implementation considerations.
• Compare CISA’s technology approaches with industry and government best practices.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and policy considerations associated with proposed technology strategies.
• Prepare executive-ready briefing materials, talking points, written summaries, and advisory notes.
• Maintain awareness of current and evolving trends in disruptive technologies, strategic IT sourcing, cloud infrastructure, network security architecture, and mobile device security.
• Ensure all written materials are clear, professional, accurate, and accessible for federal use.