ACN/EXBS Regional Program Advisor, Personal Services Contractor (PSC)
Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation
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Job summary
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, ACN/EXBS seeks Regional Program Advisors as Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) to implement security assistance programs in strategic trade management and border security across multiple posts.
These positions require extensive coordination with embassies and host governments, ongoing reporting, and the ability to assess proliferation risks while traveling internationally.
Qualifications
- At the FS-02 equivalent level, at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to FS-03.
- Top Secret security clearance required; active clearance preferred.
- Ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.
- Willingness to live abroad and travel extensively.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities
- Assess proliferation risks and recipient nation vulnerabilities, including site visits and evaluating capabilities.
- Collaborate with DC-based program manager to set priorities, draft plans, budget, and reporting cables.
- Engage host government counterparts to build political will for priorities and ensure implementation of programming.
- Represent ACN/EXBS at Post through meetings and dialogues, aligning with country/region policies.
- Coordinate with embassy leadership, international donors, and U.S. assistance programs to deconflict and align priorities.
- Coordinate with implementers to ensure timely, compliant delivery of ACN/EXBS activities and oversee equipment deliveries.
- Supervise local staff and conduct performance evaluations.
- Complete special projects and other related duties as assigned.
Skills
Education
Job description
Company: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation
Location: Multiple
Industries: Government
Job Type: Full Time
Years of Experience: 7+ Years
Education Level: Bachelor's (required) / Master's Degree (preferred)
Career Level: Experienced (manager)
Salary: $102,409 - $150,391 (Foreign Service equivalent class FS-02, Step 1 to Step 14, with Overseas Comparability Pay)
Number of Positions: Multiple
Security Clearance Level: Top Secret (required)
Duty Location: Multiple Locations (to include Armenia, Jordan, Thailand, Ukraine, and others)
Travel Required: Yes (in-country and international travel required)
Language(s): English and Minimum professional proficiency in selected country's native language is highly desired
Remote: No
Telework Eligible: No
This solicitation seeks candidates for multiple Personal Services Contractor (PSC) positions with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation (ACN), Office of Export Controls and Border Security (EXBS). Selected individuals will serve as Regional Program Advisors at the U.S. Embassy in their assigned country, supporting the implementation of ACN/EXBS mission objectives at Post.
ACN/EXBS advances U.S. national and economic security by strengthening recipient country capabilities for export controls, customs enforcement, points of entry (land, sea, air), and border security operations to identify, disrupt, and prosecute state and non-state transnational proliferation activities involving WMDs, their components, delivery systems, sensitive and emerging technologies, and advanced conventional weapons. In line with the National Security Strategy and the Administration's America First policy, ACN/EXBS aims to protect American technology and economic interests, prevent adversaries' acquisition of sensitive goods and technologies, and disrupt proliferation operations across borders.
THIS IS A NON-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.
The Regional EXBS Advisor serves as the primary on-the-ground U.S. government representative for implementing security assistance programs in strategic trade management, customs and border security, and nonproliferation in assigned countries. The Advisor works closely with U.S. Embassy stakeholders and host government counterparts to assess proliferation risks, identify capability gaps, and deliver targeted assistance that advances U.S. national security and economic interests. As the primary in-country liaison for Program Managers, the Advisor provides headquarters stakeholders with timely reporting and analysis on programmatic developments, emerging challenges, regional trends, and strategic opportunities.
The individual will focus on one or more of the following programming areas:
- Assess proliferation risks and recipient nation vulnerabilities, conducting site visits and evaluating strategic trade control, customs, and border security capabilities.
- Collaborate with DC-based program manager to establish assistance priorities in line with administration priorities and Department of State goals, draft strategic plans, support out-year budget planning, and draft reporting cables.
- Engage host government counterparts to build political will for ACN/EXBS priorities and ensure recipient implementation of security assistance programming.
- Represent ACN/EXBS and broader ACN equities at Post through Country Team meetings, working groups, and bilateral dialogues, ensuring security assistance supports country- and region-specific policies.
- Coordinate with Embassy leadership, international donors, and U.S. assistance programs to ensure deconfliction, burden-shifting, and complementary implementation of administration priorities.
- Coordinate with implementers to ensure timely, compliant delivery of ACN/EXBS activities, guiding strategy, approving materials, and overseeing equipment deliveries (including end-use monitoring, site visits, and impact assessments).
- Supervise local staff and conduct performance evaluations.
- Complete special projects and perform other related duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications: At the FS-02 equivalent level, applicant must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the FS-03 level in the Federal service which provided the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. The individual performs these tasks under general supervision by Senior Advisor, Program Management Team and other senior-level staff, demonstrating thorough knowledge of ACN mission with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment.
- Leadership and Representation: Ability to act as key representative and liaison between agency leadership, political officials, and external stakeholders to advance mission and strategic initiatives.
- Strategic Communication: Ability to brief senior leadership and agency officials on sensitive issues, providing strategic advice and actionable recommendations.
- Written and Oral Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills in a collaborative environment. Ability to draft high-level correspondence, briefing papers, cables, memos, talking points, press releases, reports to Congress, and presentations for senior level and agency leadership, public and private audiences.
- Program Management: Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, implement, and evaluate program activities and policies. Ability to communicate and address project risks.
- Time Management and Timeliness: Excellent time management and organizational skills, collaborative work style, and strong interpersonal and team skills. Adherence to deadlines and responsiveness to requests.
- Initiative and Autonomy: Ability to work independently with minimal need for close supervision.
- Security Clearance: Ability to obtain Top Secret security clearance. Active Top-Secret Clearance preferred.
- Policy Knowledge: Familiarity with U.S. nonproliferation and foreign policy objectives.
- Government Processes: Familiarity with Department of State and/or U.S. government processes, including foreign assistance programming, budgeting, and reporting.
- Technical Expertise: Knowledge of export controls, customs enforcement, border security operations, and strategic trade control management.
- Regional Expertise: Knowledge of global and regional dynamics and relevant proliferation threats.
- Language Skills: Minimum professional proficiency in selected country's native language is highly desired.
See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php. Final candidates must provide official transcripts as proof of education before a tentative offer of employment can be extended.
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Individual must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
- Individual must be able and willing to live abroad and travel extensively, potentially to remote or hazardous locations.
- Individual must be willing to serve at the U.S. Embassy of the selected country for the duration of the contract.
The Contractor will accrue and request annual and sick leave (paid time off) in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations. For full-time employees, annual leave accrual rates start at 4 hours every biweekly pay period, while sick leave accrual is 4 hours every pay period. Those entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates.
The employee will also be paid for federal holidays that fall within their regularly scheduled tour of duty. While serving abroad, the Contractor will also be entitled to all holidays granted by the U.S. Embassy to U.S. citizen Civil Service and Foreign Service employees.
If eligible: The individual selected will be provided a contribution (reimbursement) of 72 percent against the Contractor's health insurance premium costs toward either an individual or family policy, subject to an annual cap on the maximum contribution, provided that such costs may not exceed the maximum U.S. Government contribution for direct-hire personnel as announced annually by OPM. The Contractor will also be provided a contribution (reimbursement) of 50 percent against the actual costs of an individual annual life insurance policy not to exceed $500.00 per year.
The Contracting Officer will confirm the individual's contribution is compliant with the contract requirements prior to submitting for reimbursement. Proof of health and life insurance coverage, including a receipt showing the individual's payment for coverage, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer before any contribution is paid.
In addition to the Contractor's base salary, he/she may be eligible for other allowances that may include post differential, cost of living allowance (COLA), danger pay, and/or Sunday premium pay where applicable. See https://aoprals.state.gov/web920/location.asp?menu_id=95.
A furnished residence will be provided for the Contractor and his/her eligible family members (EFMs) in accordance with Department/Post policies. The residential lease, water, and electrical expenses will also be paid for by the Program.
Permanent change of station (PCS) travel costs will be paid for or reimbursed by ACN/EXBS in accordance with the Contractor's travel orders and/or contract.
ACN/EXBS will pay for costs associated with packing, hauling, and storage of the Contractor's household effects (HHE) up to the statutory limit of 18,000 pounds, along with the shipment of a privately owned vehicle (POV) when allowable by Post. The shipment of Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB) will also be authorized, starting at a weight allowance of 250 pounds.
An educational allowance is an allowance to assist the Contractor in meeting the extraordinary and necessary expenses in providing adequate elementary and secondary education for the Contractor's children. The Contractor, if authorized, will receive education allowance payments for his/her dependent children in amounts not to exceed those set forth in the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas), Chapter 270 for the "school at post" education allowance rate only.
Travel of a child may be authorized in lieu of an education allowance, once each way in a 12‑month period starting on the date travel first commences between school and the employee’s post for secondary education and for college education.
Home leave and Rest and recuperation (R&R) may be applicable and may be authorized in accordance with the individual’s contract and supervisor/Chief of Mission approval.
ACN/EXBS will assist the Contractor and his/her EFMs in obtaining diplomatic passports and the necessary visas.
A non-matching, privately administered 401(k) plan is available through the Department.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. There may be unanticipated vacancies that occur during the period of this job posting or soon after its close. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in ACN/EXBS for up to 240 days and may require a Secret to Top Secret security clearances.
For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov.
Note: This is a Personal Services Contract. This is NOT a federal direct-hire position.
Vacancy announcement will close after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Monday, October 26, 2026.
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