General Background: The Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) funds, manages, and implements programs that seek to mitigate the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), delivery systems, advanced conventional weapons, and emerging technologies developed and used by proliferator states such as Russia, China, DPRK, and Iran, and non-state actors against the United States or our allies.
CTR seeks an experienced candidate to serve as a Senior Program Advisor at the Department of State headquarters to assist with strategic planning, developing, and overseeing foreign assistance programs. In particular, these efforts include countering the Russian Federation’s proliferation activities including its war of aggression against Ukraine, its illicit acquisition of components to support its defense industrial base, and procurement of equipment and materials to advance its WMD programs. The position requires at least two years of experience to counter complex Russian sanctions evasion activities through foreign capacity building.
The candidate will be responsible for strategic planning and execution of capacity building programs that address complex and evolving nonproliferation priorities. The position requires coordinating at the strategic level with various interagency and international partners – with a particular emphasis on sanctions evasion activities. The candidate will also be responsible for developing programmatic tools to support relevant U.S. foreign policy objectives and project implementation, and coordinating with other U.S. Government departments and agencies, as needed. Candidate should possess process improvement, change management, and organizational development skills, while demonstrating creative ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, implementing concepts, and consulting with senior leadership in the facilitation of meaningful results during problem-solving.
CTR’s efforts to counter the Russian Federation’s proliferation have a global impact, but especially focus in Eastern and Western Europe, Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. CTR’s programmatic efforts continue to evolve in response to the international security environment and seek to reinforce U.S. national security objectives in this dynamic environment. To this end, we welcome candidates who can develop and implement innovative activities to address some of the most pressing nonproliferation and related malign activity challenges facing the U.S.
Duties and responsibilities under this opportunity include, but are not limited to:
- Strategic planning as it relates to novel capacity building programs
- Coordinating interagency and international partners with regards to nonproliferation activities
- Providing expert-level guidance and recommendations to counter state-based proliferation activities.
- Managing technical trainings and other activities to build capacity with partner countries to as it relates to sanctions evasion, illicit procurement activities, and proliferation programs.
- Providing technical assistance to partner countries to reduce state-based proliferation threats.
- Leveraging open-source information to inform CTR program initiatives and partner countries’ policymakers to disrupt proliferation activities including its procurement of sensitive dual-use technologies that the Russia Federation uses to advance its advanced conventional weapons and WMD programs.
- Briefing Department of State leadership on CTR programmatic activities.
- Identifying and executing innovative approaches that improve CTR's ability to conduct international threat reduction programs.
- Developing and enacting engagement strategies to counter proliferation of WMD and advanced conventional weapons by proliferator states of concern.
- Reviewing proposals and recommendations regarding the approval of proposals.
- Participating in domestic and foreign meetings as required, and additional tasks in support of CTR at home or abroad as assigned.
- Cooperating with partners in the U.S. interagency to align CTR engagements with other U.S. Government nonproliferation programs.
- Mentoring and onboarding new staff.
- Supporting CTR’s budget processes, to include the preparation of grants, cooperative agreements, and Interagency Agreement documents; financial monitoring; financial reconciliation; and financial close out.
Requirements:
- A current Top-Secret clearance is required.
- At least two years of experience countering complex sanctions evasion networks.
- At least two years of experience related to the Russian Federation’s defense sector.
- At least two years of experience leveraging commercial, open-source data to help identify and deter proliferation-related activities.
- Experience in identifying and countering illicit proliferation efforts, WMD threats, sanctions evasion, or proliferation financing through policy or programmatic tools is strongly preferred — as is the design, development, implementation, and facilitation of exercises, trainings, and workshops.
- Graduate-level education with a minimum of 4 or more years of experience in the area of nonproliferation is strongly preferred.
- The candidate must possess and demonstrate outstanding communication, diplomacy, teamwork, and project management skills.
- International travel is required.
- A technical background in international security, military defense systems, or chemical, or biological sciences is preferred. At least two years of experience with supporting the full execution and oversight of federal assistance programming.
Benefits
Annual & Sick Leave
The individual selected will earn annual and sick leave in accordance with OPM regulations, the employee will be paid for federal holidays that fall within their regularly scheduled tour of duty. Those entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal civilian service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates.
Health & Life Insurance Reimbursement
Personal Services Contractor may be provided a maximum of up to seventy-two percent (72%) against actual costs of their annual health and life insurance premiums. Eligibility for reimbursement requires evidence of enrollment in a qualifying health insurance plan and proof of actual payment of the associated health premiums.
Relocation Assistance Available: None
How to Apply:
Please apply through Monster.com and submit the following as a single attachment:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- A list of at least three professional references
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 after your permission following an interview. You may also be asked to provide a writing sample.
ISN/CTR intends to review and interview candidates within 45 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 that apply to this announcement will also be provided the same consideration for these vacancies.
Note: This is a Personal Services Contract. This is NOT a federal direct-hire position.
Vacancy announcement will close at midnight on October 31, 2024
Salary: Work requirements are commensurate with the GS-13 to GS-14 salary range. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.