Program Advisor (RCD)

Universal Strategy Group Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Strategy Group Inc. seeks a Program Advisor to join INL/RCD, supporting PP 7750, section 7031(c), and Global Magnitsky sanctions. You will coordinate with U.S.

embassies, other USG agencies, and international partners to develop cases, draft memos, and prepare reports for senior leadership. The role emphasizes research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Based in Washington, DC, the position involves liaison with posts and the interagency, and requires strong writing, project

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required and four to six years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of international narcotics, law enforcement, or similar programs.
• Ability to communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience drafting US government reports.

Responsibilities

• Support visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards actions directed at high-level corrupt officials, narcotraffickers, and transnational criminal organizations.
• Assist in analyzing and improving knowledge of management processes and procedures related to visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards.
• Draft analysis documents and memoranda for visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards cases, coordinating with stakeholders for approvals.
• Research and use best practices to measure and improve customer service, workflows, and timelines.
• Collaborate with Legal and Consular Affairs Bureaus to meet prerequisites and resolve disagreements; build relationships across the Department.
• Provide feedback to management on data input, document standardization, and storage; identify recurring issues and solutions.
• Assist in developing SOPs to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness.
• Advise on expanding use of authorities and innovative practices.
• Conduct research to support related sanctions and rewards programs, including Global Magnitsky sanctions.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

4-6 years experience

Effective communication

Analytical writing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

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: 1265

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 terrorism, 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 amount of crime & illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.

INL's Office of Results & Criminal Deterrence (INL/RCD) plays a leadership role in INL, the Department, & the interagency in combating corruption & transnational organized crime internationally, including through management of several anticrime sanctions & deterrence tools. The Anticrime Sanctions & Deterrence Tools Branch implements corruption-related visa restrictions & related sanctions programs, as well as the Narcotics & Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Programs (NRP/TOCRP). INL administers two corruption-related visa denial authorities: Presidential Proclamation 7750 (PP 7750) & the Anti-Kleptocracy Provision in Section 7031(c) of the annual Appropriations Act. These two authorities allow the Department to deny visas to current & former corrupt officials, their corrupt affiliates, & their immediate family members. INL also supports implementation of Executive Order (E.O.) 13818 (entitled “Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption”), which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016, as well as E.O. 14059 (illicit drugs) & E.O. 13581 (TOC).

POSITION DESCRIPTION

USGI is seeking a Program Advisor to serve on a several-person unit managed by a Branch Chief within INL/RCD. Under the direction of the Division Chief, Branch Chief, & Team Lead, the Advisor will support implementation of PP 7750, Section 7031(c), & Global Magnitsky sanctions, as well as related sanctions tasks related to the Narcotics & TOC Rewards Program. The Advisor will serve as an action officer supporting a geographic region or regions & will be the initial point of contact for all incoming actions regarding assignment from Departmental offices, U.S. embassies/posts, other U.S. government (USG) agencies, international organizations, foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, or other sources. The Advisor will develop cases, including research & analysis of information; coordination with posts, relevant bureaus & the interagency; interaction with non-governmental sources for proposed case & substantiating information; & drafting decision memos for senior leadership. The position will also include support in drafting the related Congressionally mandated reports & raising awareness about these authorities through engagement with other Department offices, embassies abroad, the interagency, civil society, & the Hill.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support visa restrictions, sanctions, & rewards actions directed at high-level corrupt foreign public officials, those who corrupt them (i.e., bribers), narcotraffickers, & transnational criminal organizations.
• Assist in analyzing & improving knowledge of management processes & procedures related to visa restrictions, sanctions, & rewards.
• Draft analysis documents & memoranda for visa restrictions, sanctions, & rewards cases, based on research & analysis of a variety of sources & in coordination with a range of stakeholders (including obtaining numerous clearances), for senior leadership's consideration & approval.
• Research & use government & private sector best practices to measure & improve customer service, approval workflows, & processing timelines related to visa restrictions, sanctions, & rewards.
• Work closely with the Legal & Consular Affairs Bureaus to ensure legal, factual, & procedural prerequisites are met, & constructively resolve disagreements. Develop & maintain strong relationships throughout the Department through excellent customer service skills, project management knowledge, & a related understanding of the program office needs & mandates.
• Provide feedback to management on best practices for data input, document standardization, organization, & storage related to visa restrictions, sanctions, & rewards procedures. Identify recurring issues that should be addressed by management & develop solutions.
• Assist in coordinating the interpretation & adaptation of available guidelines/SOPs for visa restrictions, sanctions, & rewards & aid in analyzing the issues (e.g., workflow, delegations of authority, or regulatory compliance) & make recommendations for changes & improvements.
• Assist subject matter experts with the development of training modules for INL sponsored training workshops & distance learning courses for posts & State Department bureaus for INL-managed authorities, based on policies & procedures.
• Work closely with U.S. overseas posts, U.S. law enforcement, & the intelligence community in 1) distributing case-related information to ensure potential law enforcement actions involving subjects are not compromised by visa actions; & 2) generating referrals for cases & further developing the factual basis for draft memos.
• Serve as a resource within the Department & the interagency community on visa restrictions, sanctions, & rewards; brief working level officials within the interagency & Department & assist in preparing Congressional reporting & testimony, as well as documentation for bureau senior leadership.
• Assist in developing SOPs for areas identified by Division Chief, Branch Chief, & Team Lead focused on enhancing team efficiencies.
• Advise on opportunities to expand use of authorities & innovate practice.
• Conduct similar research & analysis to support implementation of related sanctions & rewards programs, including the Global Magnitsky sanctions program.

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 type 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 US government reports & documents, such as the INCSR, embassy cables, & other documents

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least one year's experience working in INL
• Demonstrated exposure to consular or sanctions work
• Demonstrated experience & ability for successful interactions with U.S. government agencies to develop & maintain partnership relationships
• Demonstrated excellent oral & written communication skills, including ability to communicate analyses effectively to both technical & non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated strong research & analytical skills to monitor, evaluate, digest, & synthesize complex, technical information
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team & independently
• Demonstrated attention to detail, while maintaining timeliness & control over multiple elements of a portfolio

REPORTING AND RELATIONSHIPS

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

LEVEL OF EFFORT

Hours for this full-time position will be Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, incorporating the core hours of the Department of State (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM).

TELEWORK

If applicable, telework is authorized only with prior INL Office Director, Contracting Officer, & Contracting Officer's Representative 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 the INL/RCD office at State Annex (SA-01), Columbia Plaza, 2401 E St. NW Washington, DC 20520.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

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

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT

A Top Secret security clearance is required for this position; however, the contractor may begin work with an interim Top Secret security clearance.

TRAVEL

Travel is authorized for this position in accordance with the award & shall not exceed the designated ceiling.

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. These trainings do 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; depending on their role, they should attend either INL SOAR (Staff Orientation & Readiness) or PREP (Pre-deployment program) training.

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.