Program Advisor - iQuasar
Washington, DC
About the Job
The Celestar Corporation has been issued an IMMEDIATE Task Order to provide support to the Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). As a result, we're looking for a Program Advisor who will be seated in Washington, DC. If interested and qualified, we welcome you to post for this challenging opportunity.
SECURITY CLEARANCE: A Top Secret security clearance is required for the position; however, the Advisor can begin work with an interim Top Secret clearance
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) Year from the Date of Assignment with the potential for four (4) follow-on Option Years.
BACKGROUND
The Western Hemisphere Program Office (INL/WHP) is part of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in the Department of State. The Bureau is responsible for the development, supervision, coordination, and implementation of international narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice assistance activities of the Department of State. INL/WHP provides policy guidance and develops, executes, and monitors programs to address the full range of criminal justice issues in the Western Hemisphere. The office is comprised of approximately 45 staff members including Foreign Service Officers, Civil Service Officers, Personal Services Contractors, third party contractors, and detailees. Under this task order, the Program Advisor will provide support to the Venezuela portfolio and other Western Hemisphere policy and programs within INL/WHP.
RELATIONSHIP
The Advisor will report to his/her contracting company. The Advisor works most closely with INL/WHP. The contracting company works most closely with the INL Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Advisor shall maintain open, timely, and effective communications with the INL/WHP Team Leader and as appropriate with the INL/WHP Director and Deputy Director on issues falling under the scope of work, resulting in a relationship that proactively addresses potential problems with flexible, workable solutions.
LEVEL OF EFFORT
Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of U.S. State Department: 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a minimum of 40 hours per week. The level of effort for this position is equivalent to a Program Advisor / Specialist Level 3.
LOCATION
The physical work location is INL/WHP's office at State Annex 01 (Columbia Plaza, 2401 E St. NW, Washington, DC).
TRAVEL
The Program Advisor may be required to travel to South America and other locations, as assigned by the INL/WHP Team Leader. Travel for this position is authorized in accordance with the award and shall not exceed the designated ceiling.
GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT
DoS will provide the Program Advisor with office space, computer, phone, and other required equipment and supplies necessary to complete all job requirements. DoS will own and maintain all furnished property.
TRAINING
This BPA Call provides for mandatory training for DOS-specific equipment, systems, and processes (reference 13 FAM 300 Agency Mandated Training), which shall be completed promptly and in accordance with Department policy. These trainings do not require INL Contracting Officer approval. Travel related training (i.e. FACT (CT650), HTSOS-C etc.), may be required, if applicable. The PM shall coordinate with INL/EX/GAPP to determine if applicable and if INL Contracting Officer approval is required prior. All other training requires INL Contracting Officer approval.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Program Advisor supports Venezuela and other Western Hemisphere policy and programming. The Program Advisor will serve as INL/WHP's lead on Venezuela interagency coordination. He/she will serve as a main point of contact for Venezuela research, analysis, and program planning and will back-up his/her colleagues on the INL/WHP team. The Program Advisor will organize and attend meetings, track regional developments relating to the programs and subject matter in his/her portfolio, and maintain up-to-date records of relevant documents.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Serves as INL's point of contract for and subject matter expert on Venezuela counternarcotics, criminal justice, and citizen security issues within INL, the Department, and the interagency, providing information and recommendations on policy and program design and implementation
• Tracks and attends INL, Department, and interagency meetings on Venezuela-related issues and reports back to INL/WHP leadership
• Assists with drafting talking points, memos, briefings, press guidance, Congressional responses and testimony, and reporting on assigned countries
• Coordinates input for the annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) reports and the Majors List process
• Assists in preparing budgets for potential programs, analyzes budget proposals from interagency, prepares justifications and memoranda in support of INL budget requests, maintains up-to-date files, coordinates foreign assistance with regional and functional bureaus, and ensures programmatic activities advance INL and USG priorities
• Supports Program Officers, Contracting Officers' Representatives, Grants Officers' Representatives, and Agreement Officer Representatives in writing Statements of Work (SOWs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and program work plans by facilitating the process through award and program execution
• Tracks policy and programmatic developments related to Venezuela and, as appropriate, updates INL leadership
• As requested by INL/WHP leadership, conducts in-depth research, analysis, and drafting on Venezuela narcotics and criminal justice issues
• Provides programmatic support to the INL/WHP team, including but not limited to assembling briefing books, drafting reports and updates, serving as control officer, and scheduling meetings, among other requirements
• As requested, may complete enumerated duties for additional countries in the hemisphere
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• U.S. Citizen
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Four (4) to six (6) years' experience in relevant field; demonstrated knowledge of specific country issues, including specialized knowledge of international narcotics and law enforcement, or similar type programs sufficient to ensure project work is in compliance with management policies and procedures and in conformance with the Foreign Assistance Act and other regulatory procedures and guidelines
• Proven knowledge of Federal policies and procedures including methods of providing assistance and the Federal budget process
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of players
• Demonstrated ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation with regard to the interpretation and application of analysis
• Experience drafting US government reports and documents, such as the INCSR, embassy cables, and other documents
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in international relations, public policy, political science, Latin American Studies, security/development studies, or a related major
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in international relations, public policy, political science, Latin American Studies, security/development studies, or a related field
• One year of demonstrated experience working overseas, particularly as part of a U.S. Foreign Assistance program at a U.S. Embassy
• Oral and written Spanish language proficiency
• Demonstrated knowledge of Western Hemisphere history and politics
• Demonstrated superior interpersonal skills and proven ability to work well with others
• Demonstrated superior attention to detail and experience meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced, office environment
• Demonstrated proficiency at Microsoft Office computer programs
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on projects and issues within overall policy guidelines
• Availability to travel abroad periodically, as needed
SECURITY CLEARANCE: A Top Secret security clearance is required for the position; however, the Advisor can begin work with an interim Top Secret clearance
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) Year from the Date of Assignment with the potential for four (4) follow-on Option Years.
BACKGROUND
The Western Hemisphere Program Office (INL/WHP) is part of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in the Department of State. The Bureau is responsible for the development, supervision, coordination, and implementation of international narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice assistance activities of the Department of State. INL/WHP provides policy guidance and develops, executes, and monitors programs to address the full range of criminal justice issues in the Western Hemisphere. The office is comprised of approximately 45 staff members including Foreign Service Officers, Civil Service Officers, Personal Services Contractors, third party contractors, and detailees. Under this task order, the Program Advisor will provide support to the Venezuela portfolio and other Western Hemisphere policy and programs within INL/WHP.
RELATIONSHIP
The Advisor will report to his/her contracting company. The Advisor works most closely with INL/WHP. The contracting company works most closely with the INL Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Advisor shall maintain open, timely, and effective communications with the INL/WHP Team Leader and as appropriate with the INL/WHP Director and Deputy Director on issues falling under the scope of work, resulting in a relationship that proactively addresses potential problems with flexible, workable solutions.
LEVEL OF EFFORT
Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of U.S. State Department: 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a minimum of 40 hours per week. The level of effort for this position is equivalent to a Program Advisor / Specialist Level 3.
LOCATION
The physical work location is INL/WHP's office at State Annex 01 (Columbia Plaza, 2401 E St. NW, Washington, DC).
TRAVEL
The Program Advisor may be required to travel to South America and other locations, as assigned by the INL/WHP Team Leader. Travel for this position is authorized in accordance with the award and shall not exceed the designated ceiling.
GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT
DoS will provide the Program Advisor with office space, computer, phone, and other required equipment and supplies necessary to complete all job requirements. DoS will own and maintain all furnished property.
TRAINING
This BPA Call provides for mandatory training for DOS-specific equipment, systems, and processes (reference 13 FAM 300 Agency Mandated Training), which shall be completed promptly and in accordance with Department policy. These trainings do not require INL Contracting Officer approval. Travel related training (i.e. FACT (CT650), HTSOS-C etc.), may be required, if applicable. The PM shall coordinate with INL/EX/GAPP to determine if applicable and if INL Contracting Officer approval is required prior. All other training requires INL Contracting Officer approval.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Program Advisor supports Venezuela and other Western Hemisphere policy and programming. The Program Advisor will serve as INL/WHP's lead on Venezuela interagency coordination. He/she will serve as a main point of contact for Venezuela research, analysis, and program planning and will back-up his/her colleagues on the INL/WHP team. The Program Advisor will organize and attend meetings, track regional developments relating to the programs and subject matter in his/her portfolio, and maintain up-to-date records of relevant documents.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Serves as INL's point of contract for and subject matter expert on Venezuela counternarcotics, criminal justice, and citizen security issues within INL, the Department, and the interagency, providing information and recommendations on policy and program design and implementation
• Tracks and attends INL, Department, and interagency meetings on Venezuela-related issues and reports back to INL/WHP leadership
• Assists with drafting talking points, memos, briefings, press guidance, Congressional responses and testimony, and reporting on assigned countries
• Coordinates input for the annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) reports and the Majors List process
• Assists in preparing budgets for potential programs, analyzes budget proposals from interagency, prepares justifications and memoranda in support of INL budget requests, maintains up-to-date files, coordinates foreign assistance with regional and functional bureaus, and ensures programmatic activities advance INL and USG priorities
• Supports Program Officers, Contracting Officers' Representatives, Grants Officers' Representatives, and Agreement Officer Representatives in writing Statements of Work (SOWs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and program work plans by facilitating the process through award and program execution
• Tracks policy and programmatic developments related to Venezuela and, as appropriate, updates INL leadership
• As requested by INL/WHP leadership, conducts in-depth research, analysis, and drafting on Venezuela narcotics and criminal justice issues
• Provides programmatic support to the INL/WHP team, including but not limited to assembling briefing books, drafting reports and updates, serving as control officer, and scheduling meetings, among other requirements
• As requested, may complete enumerated duties for additional countries in the hemisphere
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• U.S. Citizen
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Four (4) to six (6) years' experience in relevant field; demonstrated knowledge of specific country issues, including specialized knowledge of international narcotics and law enforcement, or similar type programs sufficient to ensure project work is in compliance with management policies and procedures and in conformance with the Foreign Assistance Act and other regulatory procedures and guidelines
• Proven knowledge of Federal policies and procedures including methods of providing assistance and the Federal budget process
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of players
• Demonstrated ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation with regard to the interpretation and application of analysis
• Experience drafting US government reports and documents, such as the INCSR, embassy cables, and other documents
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in international relations, public policy, political science, Latin American Studies, security/development studies, or a related major
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in international relations, public policy, political science, Latin American Studies, security/development studies, or a related field
• One year of demonstrated experience working overseas, particularly as part of a U.S. Foreign Assistance program at a U.S. Embassy
• Oral and written Spanish language proficiency
• Demonstrated knowledge of Western Hemisphere history and politics
• Demonstrated superior interpersonal skills and proven ability to work well with others
• Demonstrated superior attention to detail and experience meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced, office environment
• Demonstrated proficiency at Microsoft Office computer programs
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on projects and issues within overall policy guidelines
• Availability to travel abroad periodically, as needed
Source : iQuasar