Caribbean Program Advisor (WHP)

Universal Strategy Group Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid federal holidays

Generous PTO

Job summary

Universal Strategy Group Inc. is seeking a Caribbean Program Advisor to provide programmatic development and oversight to INL/WHP teams in the Western Hemisphere. You will organize meetings, draft plans, and research related issues to strengthen foreign assistance programs.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and 4–6 years in a relevant field, with experience in government reporting and policy analysis. Telework is possible in some circumstances, and a strong command of budgeting and contract

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required and at least four to six years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international narcotics & law enforcement or related programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience drafting U.S. government reports, talking points, or embassy cables.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including advanced Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary contact for Caribbean, South America, or Western Hemisphere programs.
• Research regional security developments and monitor budget pipelines for projects.
• Assist with program implementation, reporting, and coordination with posts and partners.
• Prepare programmatic and budget justifications and respond to congressional inquiries.
• Provide general administrative support and maintain up-to-date program files.

Skills

Communication skills

Govt policy knowledge

Report drafting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Professional Washington, DC, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1272

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy & the Secretary of State is the President's principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State's mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight transnational crime, protect U.S. interests abroad, & implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, & secure world.

The Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) keeps Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, & instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice & fairness by strengthening their police, courts, & corrections systems. These efforts reduce the number of crime & illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.

The Office of Western Hemisphere Programs (INL/WHP) provides policy guidance & develops, executes, & monitors programs to address the full range of counternarcotics & law enforcement issues as they relate to projects in the Western Hemisphere. INL/WHP is scaling up support to the Caribbean, Southern Cone, & other countries in the region to further Administration priorities of disrupting TCOs & designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

POSITION DESCRIPTION

USGI is seeking a Caribbean Program Advisor to provide programmatic development & technical oversight expertise to the INL/WHP Caribbean & South America teams, or another regional team if priorities change. The Advisor will organize & participate in meetings & other activities & draft plans & programs for implementation of INL/WHP foreign assistance. They will provide other general programmatic support to further the team's programs & regional policy, including drafting papers, briefing leadership, & researching & reporting on INL/WHP related issues.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as a primary point of contact, under the guidance of the Team Lead & Program Officers, for multiple assigned Caribbean, South America, or other Western Hemisphere programs & projects as assigned
• Research & tracks applicable regional security developments via SMART cables, Daily Activity Reports, media, & others sources, including activities of FTOs & TCOs
• Assists with program implementation challenges; reviews regular reporting from project implementers; maintains up-to-date project files; ensures regular communication with posts & implementing partners, & ensures programmatic activities support INL & USG priorities
• Tracks program budgets & pipelines for assigned projects
• Supports & advises the team to enable effective program funding on INL implementing mechanisms including contracts, grants, & interagency agreements; & coordinate the obligation of funds on letters of agreement
• Supports the Caribbean Team, South America Team, or other teams assigned, collecting INL implementer reports via DevResults. Assists INL/WHP in tracking program execution within contracts, grants, IAAs, & other sources, to include clear deliverables & reporting requirements to be provided by implementers. Provides recommendations on where implementation, monitoring, & evaluation improvements can be made
• Assists in maintaining accountability of Program Officers, Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), Grants Officers Representatives (GORs), & AORs by supporting routine program management, implementer oversight, coordination with INL sections, & quarterly COR/AOR/GOR documentation review
• Maintains up-to-date files tracking implementation of programs. Saves regular reporting documents, reviews them, & aggregates information contained within to identify program successes, impacts, & areas of concern
• Assists in compiling & analyzing program budget data, including program development & support costs & estimates
• Assists in the preparation of programmatic & budgetary justifications, overviews, & responses to Department stakeholders
• Assists the Team Lead & Programs Officers in preparing program justifications & responses to congressional & oversight committees, including the Office of Management & Budget, the Government Accountability Office, the Office of the Inspector General, & the House & Senate committees on foreign appropriations
• Assists in the preparation of background materials & reports used by INL, & in the preparation of reports, speeches, briefings, meeting notes, press guidance, & congressional testimony on regional & thematic issues
• Provides general administrative & programmatic support to the assigned INL/WHP team, including but not limited to assembling briefing books, drafting reports & updates, serving as control officer, & scheduling meetings with interagency
• Assists with other duties as assigned by the Team Lead or INL/WHP management that are correlated directly to the duties stated above

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Four to six years' experience in relevant field
• Demonstrated knowledge of specific country issues, including specialized knowledge of international narcotics & law enforcement, or similar types of programs sufficient to ensure project work is in compliance with management policies & procedures & in conformance with the Foreign Assistance Act & other regulatory procedures & guidelines
• Proven knowledge of Federal policies & procedures including methods of providing assistance & the Federal budget process
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally & in writing, with a wide range of players
• Demonstrated ability to provide advice, guidance, & consultation with regard to the interpretation & application of analysis
• Experience drafting U.S. government reports & documents, such as talking points, meeting summaries, or embassy cables
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field related to the primary duties of this position, including law, international affairs, political science, development, public policy, or public administration
• Previous INL programmatic experience
• Previous experience working with the U.S. Government, either as a direct employee, contractor, or with an implementing partner
• Demonstrated knowledge of Western Hemisphere issues, including specialized knowledge of international narcotics, anti-corruption, & transnational crime
• Demonstrated ability to produce project work that is in compliance with management policies & procedures & in conformance with the Foreign Assistance Act & other regulatory procedures & guidelines
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal policies & procedures including methods of providing assistance & the Federal budget process
• Demonstrated ability to provide advice, guidance, & consultation with regard to the interpretation & application of analysis
• Demonstrated superior communication, interpersonal, & writing skills, including experience drafting U.S. Government reports & documents
• Skills in oral & written communication in Spanish

REPORTING AND RELATIONSHIPS

The contractor will report to his/her contracting company & will receive directions from the CO, Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), &/or Government Technical Monitor (GTM).

LEVEL OF EFFORT

Hours for the position will be the core hours of the Department of State: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day.

TELEWORK

If applicable, telework is authorized only with prior INL/WHP Team Lead approval, in accordance with Department of State & INL policies.

SUPPLEMENTAL HOURS

Supplemental hours for this position are authorized in accordance with the award & shall not exceed the designated ceiling.

POSITION LOCATION

The physical work location is INL/WHP's office at SA-1 – Columbia Plaza (2401 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037).

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

DOS will provide office space, computers, phone, & other required equipment & supplies necessary to complete all job requirements. DOS will own & maintain all government furnished property.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT

This position requires a Secret security clearance; however, the Analyst may begin work with an interim Secret clearance.

TRAVEL

Travel is authorized for this position in accordance with the award & shall not exceed the designated ceiling. Domestic & international travel may be required for this position & will be done at the behest of the INL/WHP Team Lead.

TRAINING

This BPA Call provides for mandatory training for DOS-specific equipment, systems, & processes (reference 13 FAM 300 Agency Mandated Training), which shall be completed promptly & in accordance with Department policy. This training does not require INL Contracting Officer (CO) approval.

Travel-related mandatory training (e.g., FACT CT420, FACT CT650 Training) may be required at the discretion of the on-site supervisor & Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the OCONUS location traveling to & needs INL Contracting Officer approval.

TPCs are strongly encouraged to take orientation training to best integrate with INL & effectively contribute to the mission. Depending on their role they should attend either INL SOAR (Staff Orientation & Readiness) or PREP (Pre-deployment program) training. SOAR is for TPCs whose position is primarily to work with INL staff in support of INL programs & projects. PREP is for TPCs whose position is primarily to work with host government or foreign counterparts to train or advise them, or to support other TPCs in that work. TPCs are encouraged to take other INL-delivered training, & State-specific training through FSI in coordination with the program office, & with CO approval. For more information on training including a course catalogue & calendar, suggested learning pathways & information on how TPCs should register for courses, please contact [e-mail].

USGI offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, 401(k) plan with company match, plus generous PTO offerings to include vacation/sick days, bereavement leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays. USGI is an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.