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Form of workJob Description
ISN/ECC – EXBS Program Manager
Company: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation
Location: Washington, DC 20520
Industries: Government
Job Type: Full Time
Years of Experience: 5+ Years
Education Level: Master’s Degree Preferred
Career Level: Experienced (non-manager)
Salary: GS 13/1($117,962.00) to 14/10 ($181,216.00)
Number of Positions: Multiple positions may be selected from this announcement
Overview:
The Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Program promotes cooperation with foreign governments to ensure their strategic trade control systems meet international standards, and to help build partner countries’ capabilities to detect, interdict, investigate, and prosecute illicit transfers of weapons of mass destruction, dual-use components, conventional arms, and explosives.
Job Description:
THIS IS A NON-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.
This is a personal services contract position located in the Office of Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC), U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC. The individual(s) will support EXBS program implementation by serving as a Program Manager responsible for facilitating and monitoring the planning, funding and delivery of EXBS assistance. The individual(s) will focus on one or more of the following programming areas:
Regional and global problem sets associated with proliferation activities by malign state actors (such as the DPRK, Iran, PRC, and Russia). This will include coordination within the Department of State and the interagency to develop, plan, and implement cross-cutting EXBS projects that advance the U.S. national security strategy by addressing emerging proliferation threats and countering evolving techniques to evade nonproliferation controls and sanctions;
National and regional capacity-building, for an assigned geographic region, to address specific threat streams emanating from malign state actors as well as violent extremist organizations (VEO). This will include assessing proliferation risks and counterproliferation capacity gaps and then establishing priorities for bilateral and regional assistance through consultation and coordination with relevant regional and functional bureaus, EXBS Advisors and Coordinators in U.S. embassies, and other stakeholders.
Within the assigned portfolio(s), the Program Manager is expected to: represent ISN/ECC in policy and program coordination mechanisms to ensure that EXBS assistance conforms with and supports U.S. nonproliferation initiatives as well as country- or region-specific strategies; lead strategic planning processes specific to the country, region, or threat; ensure the timely and effective management of EXBS program funds, including compliance with all legal, financial, and reporting requirements; raise awareness with internal and external stakeholders of how EXBS can support key security priorities; and contribute to office-wide improvement initiatives in areas such as diversity and inclusion, distance learning, monitoring and evaluation, and financial management.
Program Managers work closely with ISN/ECC’s Financial Management; Strategy and Planning; and Systems and Resources Teams to fund activities and ensure budget oversight; to engage with Congressional staff as needed to articulate programming and funding requests and needs; to engage in strategic planning and measure program performance; and to ensure the health, safety, and effectiveness of EXBS Advisors and LE Staff working overseas.
Specifically, the individual(s) shall:
- Support the Department’s foreign assistance budget planning and reporting processes in order to meet ISN/ECC’s objective of obtaining adequate funding to conduct priority activities;
- Perform country and program analysis to identify countries at high risk for proliferation-sensitive transfers occurring within their jurisdictions and develop strategies for programming in or newly engaging with high-priority countries;
- Use the strategic planning process to ensure EXBS program activities support U.S. nonproliferation initiatives as well as priority needs in partner countries;
- Lead collaborative processes to draft solicitations for proposals (from grantees, contractors, etc.) and select proposals that are consistent with strategic plans;
- Work collaboratively with ISN/ECC colleagues as well as EXBS Advisors, LE Staff, and program implementers to meet program planning, award, implementation, documentation, reporting and compliance requirements;
- Compile and maintain program narratives and data for dissemination to relevant stakeholders;
- Provide oral presentations for senior U.S. government officials and foreign partner interlocutors;
- Prepare on-demand memos, policy papers, cables, briefing and background materials, talking points, press releases, reports to Congress, and other documents related to functional and regionally cross-cutting issues. Provide interagency coordination in support of the same;
- Advocate for and publicize EXBS cooperation activities;
- Represent EXBS equities on inter- and intra-agency policy and task forces, in addition to developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with counterparts at other international-development agencies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to share programmatic information and coordinate assistance efforts;
- Apply a sound understanding of USG’s programmatic and operational processes in Washington D.C. to support EXBS programming overseas, including assessment and conceptualization, design, management, analysis and evaluation of counter-proliferation activities;
- Travel overseas periodically, as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Must have direct and demonstrable professional experience engaging senior government and/or private sector officials engaging on policy, diplomatic, or programming topics;
- Previous policy, program, or project management experience;
- Experience working with U.S. embassies, international organizations, NGOs and/or foreign governments;
- Ability to set clear objectives, coordinate resources, people, and processes, and manage feedback loops to adjust approaches as necessary;
- Ability to actively listen to and maneuver through complex political situations, demonstrating an understanding of power relations and sensitivity to how people and organizations function;
- Ability to weigh information and options and determine the most appropriate and high impact solutions to complex challenges;
- Ability to analyze and understand situations from a variety of perspectives;
- Strong ability to plan, organize, coordinate, implement, and evaluate program activities and policies, as well as anticipate, communicate, and address project risks;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in a collaborative environment;
- Flexible and adaptive to shifting requirements of the EXBS Program;
- Proven quantitative, analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual thinking skills;
- Excellent time management skills, collaborative work style, and strong interpersonal and team skills; and
- Strategic planning and long-range program development skills.
Desired Qualifications:
- Demonstrable experience in program/project management, and previous experience working with senior-level U.S. and foreign government, senior-level industry, NGO and academia officials;
- Active Secret security clearance;
- Familiarity with U.S. nonproliferation and foreign policy objectives concerning state actors such as Iran, Russia, PRC and DPRK (this is required for portfolios dedicated to malign state actors); and
- Familiarity with Department of State and/or USG processes.
Conditions of Employment
U.S. Citizenship is required. Individual must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Top Secret/SCI may be required based on specific portfolio needs. Individual must be able and willing to travel, potentially to remote or hazardous locations.
BENEFITS:
Annual and Sick Leave
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.
Health & Life Insurance Reimbursement
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, 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.
401K Plan
A non-matching, privately administered 401(k) plan is available through the Department.
Relocation Assistance Available:
None
How to Apply:
Please apply through BetterTeam.com and submit the following as a single attachment:
Cover letter
Resume
A list of at least three professional references
Writing sample
Failure to submit a complete package may disqualify the applicant from consideration.
You will be evaluated against the requirements outlined in this announcement, so your resume and cover letter should demonstrate that you meet the required qualifications above to undertake this position. Your references will only be contacted with your permission following an interview.
State/ISN/ECC expects to screen and interview candidates within 7 days of close of announcement. ONLY APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED. Offers of employment will be dependent on ability to obtain security clearance through the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security bureau.
There may be unanticipated vacancies that occur during the period of this job posting or soon after its close. Candidates who apply to this announcement may also be provided the same consideration for these vacancies.
Diversity and Inclusion
The EXBS Program works to recruit, retain, develop, empower, and promote employees from diverse backgrounds at all levels. A team with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, including in leadership positions, is crucial to achieving the mission of the EXBS Program.
Note: This is a Personal Services Contract. This is NOT a federal direct-hire position.
Vacancy announcement will close at midnight, January 25, 2024.
