Program Advisor – Counter Cartel Recruitment

Sgi Global, Llc; Xico; On-site; MXN 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

SGI Global LLC is seeking a qualified and fluent English-speaking Program Advisor for Counter Cartel Recruitment to support INL programs in Mexico City. The role involves high-level research, policy guidance, and cross-agency collaboration to combat organized crime and recruitment dynamics.

The candidate should have a Ph.D. or equivalent in related fields, along with substantial research and publication experience, and the ability to translate findings into actionable policy recommendations.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in sociology, political science, social sciences, criminology, public policy, international relations, or related field.
• Advanced degree combined with significant research experience may substitute for a PhD.
• Five+ years of professional/research experience in organized crime, recruitment, or related fields.
• Demonstrated publication record in relevant subjects.
• Experience translating research into public policy or program recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Advise INL and conduct research on criminal recruitment and organized crime dynamics to inform programs and interventions.
• Support development and implementation of activities across the recruitment continuum.
• Provide technical advice for protocols, public policy, and legislative proposals.
• Collaborate with researchers and experts to develop indicators, risk assessments, and trend analyses.
• Coordinate with civil society, academia, international organizations, and other partners.
• Design and facilitate working groups, expert roundtables, and trainings.
• Support capacity-building for prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement.
• Review technical documents to ensure evidence-based alignment with INL objectives.
• Produce strategic assessments, policy briefs, and presentations for INL leadership.
• Brief INL leadership and officials on recruitment dynamics and program developments.
• Maintain awareness of research and international practices in organized crime and human rights.

Skills

English proficiency

Policy analysis

Qualitative & quantitative research

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Doctoral degree in related field

Master's degree considered in lieu of Doctorate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SGI Global LLC is seeking a qualified and fluent English-speaking Program Advisor – Counter Cartel Recruitment in support of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), in Mexico City, Mexico. This position will provide professional and administrative support to the U.S. Foreign Assistance Program in Mexico, contributing to the effective implementation of programs and initiatives related to counter-cartel efforts.

• Mexican Citizen or Third Country National.
• Spanish FSI level 4.
• English FSI level 3.
• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Sociology, Political Science, Social Sciences, Criminology, Public Policy, International Relations, Human Rights, or another field directly related to organized crime, violence, forced disappearances, security, or criminal justice.
• A master's degree in a relevant field combined with significant specialized professional and research experience may be considered in lieu of a doctoral degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional, academic, or applied research experience related to organized crime, criminal recruitment, violence, human rights, victim assistance, citizen security, criminal justice, or related fields, with demonstrated expertise in analyzing the social, territorial, institutional, family, economic, and digital dynamics that facilitate recruitment into criminal organizations.
• Demonstrated record of academic or applied research and publication on organized crime, violence, criminal recruitment, human rights, security, or related subjects. Recognition through a national or international academic or research system is preferred. Mexico-specific experience preferred to that from working in other Latin American or other countries.
• Demonstrated experience conducting field-based and applied research, including qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies, interviews, field assessments, case studies, stakeholder mapping, and analysis of vulnerable or violence-affected populations and communities.
• Demonstrated ability to translate academic and field research into actionable public policy, criminal justice, prevention, or programmatic recommendations.
• Experience working with or advising government institutions, international organizations, foreign governments, diplomatic missions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, or international cooperation programs.
• Experience engaging with senior government officials, law enforcement and justice-sector institutions, civil society, academia, international organizations, and other stakeholders on sensitive security, human rights, or organized crime issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human rights and victim-centered approaches, particularly as they relate to violence, recruitment, exploitation, disappearance, or other serious human rights violations.
• University-level teaching experience in Sociology, Political Science, Criminology, Security Studies, Human Rights, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related discipline preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality analytical products, including assessments, policy briefs, research reports, strategic recommendations, presentations, and briefing materials for senior-level audiences.
• Ability to analyze complex and sensitive information from multiple sources and identify emerging trends, operational gaps, and opportunities for programmatic intervention.
• Familiarity with U.S. Government foreign assistance, citizen security, law enforcement, or international cooperation programming is preferred. Previous experience working with or supporting U.S. Government programs, including programs similar to those implemented by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple workstreams, and operate effectively in politically and operationally sensitive environments.
• Ability to pass a U.S. Embassy RSO security background check.
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite and research/data analysis tools relevant to the position.

Duties: The position is located in Mexico City, Mexico. Travel to other locations in Mexico, the United States, and other countries may be required.

• Advises INL and conducts research and analysis on criminal recruitment and broader organized crime dynamics, identifying emerging trends, patterns, vulnerabilities, and recruitment methods to inform INL programs, policies, and strategic interventions.
• Supports the development and implementation of activities and project interventions across the criminal recruitment continuum, including prevention, early detection, first response, investigation and prosecution, deterrence, and disengagement.
• Provides technical advice for the development of protocols, public policies, legislative or regulatory proposals, operational frameworks, referral mechanisms, and other tools designed to strengthen the Government of Mexico's ability to address criminal recruitment.
• Works with researchers, analysts, implementers, and technical experts to develop and strengthen approaches to criminal recruitment, including recruitment indicators, risk and vulnerability assessments, geographic analysis, hotspot identification, trend analysis, and other analytical tools.
• Coordinates with civil society organizations, academic institutions, international organizations, technology companies, subject-matter experts, and other relevant partners to strengthen multidisciplinary approaches to criminal recruitment.
• Designs, coordinates, and facilitates working groups, expert roundtables, field consultations, trainings, workshops, interagency dialogues, and other technical engagements related to organized crime and recruitment.
• Provides technical support to initiatives designed to strengthen the capacity of prosecutors, investigators, law enforcement personnel, first responders, policymakers, and other relevant actors to identify and respond to criminal recruitment.
• Reviews research, curricula, methodologies, program proposals, scopes of work, statements of work, terms of reference, deliverables, and other technical documents to ensure that activities are evidence-based, technically sound, and aligned with INL objectives.
• Produces regular strategic assessments, analytical reports, policy briefs, briefing materials, talking points, presentations, and recommendations for INL leadership regarding criminal recruitment trends, program results, emerging risks, and opportunities for U.S.-Mexico cooperation.
• Briefs INL leadership and, as appropriate, U.S. Government and Government of Mexico officials on criminal recruitment dynamics, research findings, programmatic developments, and policy considerations.
• Maintains awareness of relevant academic research, government policies, legislation, international practices, and emerging evidence concerning organized crime recruitment, violence prevention, criminal justice, human rights, and disengagement.

SGI Global provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.