All applicants must possess a Top-Secret Security Clearance to be considered

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affair’s, Office of Policy (ECA/P) has a requirement for a full-time staff member providing support services as a Program Advisor.

To provide contract support to ECA/P, the Program Advisor will provide advice in the formulation and direction of public diplomacy exchange programs as well as work on an array of policy-related issues, events, and activities on behalf of the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The work of the office includes close engagement with all Bureau Program Offices, Department of State Regional and Functional Bureaus and Posts, as well as the interagency arena. The Senior Program Advisor would manage matters and issues pertaining to international educational and cultural programs, exchanges, and training in their assigned regional, functional, and/or thematic roles. This includes support to the Interagency Working Group on U.S. Government-Sponsored Exchanges and Training. It is a high tempo office.

The ideal candidate would have the following qualifications:

· Experience working with multiple U.S. federal agency and embassy programs and personnel.

· Experience working with federal, non-governmental, and international organizations on international exchange and training programs, including knowledge of practices, challenges, and issues.

· Experience with monitoring, tracking, and reporting U.S. Government-sponsored international exchange and training programs.

· Knowledge of U.S. and departmental foreign policy goals and objectives.

· Knowledge of Public Diplomacy exchanges and the role they play in the implementation of U.S. foreign policy.

· Knowledge of the mission and interests of Regional and Thematic Bureaus.

· Knowledge of U.S. foreign affairs information sources, processes, guidelines, and organizations.

· Experience and/or working knowledge of information management and database systems. Facility with standard software, including the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SharePoint) and an ability to learn and work with other software and database applications, as needed.

· Strong critical, creative thinking, and analytical skills.

· Excellent drafting, editing, and proofreading skills.

· Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

· Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and clients. Flexible, team-oriented approach to work.

· Ability to also work independently, with minimal supervision, and multi-task in a high volume, and, occasionally, very fast-paced work environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Provide policy advice on and for ECA programs that have an impact on the Regional and Functional Bureaus in the Policy Officer’s portfolio, including specific Department of State policy strategies and initiatives. Similarly serve as a backup to at least one other Policy Officer’s portfolio, as needed.

· Collaborate in the development of initiatives that advance specific foreign affairs policies and objectives through educational and cultural exchange programs.

· Help coordinate taskings from working groups; develop summaries of options; and support the development of recommendations for actions regarding U.S. policies.

· Conduct research and help develop background information, tactics, and approaches, including the development of exchange program tools, to present policy positions both in-house and in the interagency arena.

· Draft USG documents and reports, including position and briefing papers and decision memoranda, related to specific topics of interest and concern.

· Draft papers to support exchange programs that advance policy agendas and topics with targeted audiences.

· Provide information to help senior ECA and/or departmental officials develop U.S. policy and strategies in response to developments. Develop policy options and integrate contributions from various departmental offices as well as other USG agencies. Perform the analysis necessary to support policymaking officials and ensure the implementation of their decisions.

· Identify and respond to emerging issues concerning various aspects to engage targeted audiences on assigned U.S. foreign policy issues. Anticipate potential policy issues; assess their effects on U.S. interests, as well as potential interagency and Congressional reactions. Ensure policy recommendations are consistent with USG and departmental objectives.

· Monitor political situations and support for U.S. positions within the assigned portfolio, including assessments made by interested organizations. Assess the present and potential impacts of these situations. Help develop information, clarify viewpoints, and recommend courses of action acceptable to ECA, USG, private sector, and non-governmental organization (NGO) stakeholders.

· Stay abreast of legislative actions and U.S. foreign policy issues and, based on analyses and expert judgement, recommend the advisability and/or level of need for USG exchange program activity.

· Support the Interagency Working Group on U.S. Government-Sponsored Exchanges and Training (IAWG). Assist in the development and publication of the IAWG’s Annual Report to Congress, as well as similar support for other IAWG products, as needed. This

will include fact and reference checking, proofreading, production editing, and other aspects of report preparation.

· Support the implementation of and follow up on the annual IAWG data call processes, to include working with and assisting clients in agencies across the federal government that sponsor international exchange and training programs.

· Analyze and vet data and information submitted into the Federal Exchanges Data System II, the IAWG’s electronic data collection system. Support report development and publication through the system.

· Provide informational consultations and orientations to colleagues and officials in the Department and the inter-agency arena on aspects of the assigned portfolio. Advise on issues and problems; develop and propose resolutions for policy and procedural issues and coordinate the implementation of policy decisions.

· Conduct research, analysis, and overseas site visits, as needed, to collect information on problems and possible solutions in policy and program implementation. Draft policy and procedures implementation guidance for use by Posts within one’s assigned region(s). Provide follow-up problem solving assistance, guideline interpretation, and technical consultations, as required.

· Help establish systematic methods of program execution, evaluation, or advocacy, in collaboration with other ECA offices.

· Manage assigned projects.

· Serve on/participate in interagency working groups and meetings and make recommendations to these bodies, ECA, and departmental management, on new policies or approaches that will assist in achieving policy objectives.

· Participate in meetings with agencies of foreign governments and multi-lateral organizations to contribute detailed technical analyzes and assessments of complex issues and alternatives to decision makers.

· On occasion, participate in meetings and provide consultations and orientations in a classified environment.

Job Summary