What are the responsibilities and job description for the Leahy Vetter II position at PCI Technology & Mission Solutions Sector?
Summary
The Leahy Vetter II provides support to the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs and reports to the Program Manager. The position is 100% on-site. **This position is pending funding**
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Preference may be extended to qualified Native American Indian candidates in accordance with applicable federal law.
The Leahy Vetter II provides support to the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs and reports to the Program Manager. The position is 100% on-site. **This position is pending funding**
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Serve as the main point of contact for Leahy vetting matters for the Africa Bureau (AF), including its embassies and consulates.
- Provide daily support to Leahy vetting counterparts at post on both the Department’s policy and technical aspects of vetting.
- Manage Leahy vetting requests via the INVESTc (International Vetting and Security Tracking-cloud) System, in coordination with embassies and consulates, as well as the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
- Utilize classified resources from the Bureau for Intelligence and Research (INR) to research the human rights records of security force members and units nominated for US training or assistance. In performing classified searches, analyze sources and content to determine whether there has been a gross violation of human rights or other derogatory offense.
- Complete vetting requests within ten (10) working days of receipt from posts.
- Report vetting results findings to the requesting post, funding bureau/agency, and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), per provided protocol. Verify and assess findings with DRL and U.S. embassy counterparts and make recommendations to AF leadership on its position(s) regarding any potential eligibility determinations.
- Maintain both unclassified and classified lists of security force units implicated in gross violations of human rights for reference in the Leahy vetting process and future eligibility determinations.
- Provide input to AF desk officers on any draft papers, memos, cables (i.e., formal State messages), press guidance covering Leahy vetting, security sector reform (SSR), and/or related human rights issues.
- Provide periodic reports to AF management regarding vetting caseload, cases of importance, and changes in Leahy vetting policy or practice.
- Make improvement recommendations regarding the vetting process and management thereof.
- Participate in meetings on issues related to human rights, Leahy vetting, and SSR.
- Coordinate monthly meetings with other DOS bureaus on human rights training for security forces in Africa, with the goal of sharing best practices and developing mutual objectives.
- Advise AF regarding the need for adjustments to training and assistance programs to strengthen human rights components of the training.
- Participate in program review meetings and attend meetings that pertain to ongoing funded programs and new requirements, as required.
- Coordinate with the Department of Defense (DoD) on the implementation of human rights components of DoD-implemented training and assistance programs.
- Support AF leadership and desk officers in their engagement on Congressional, inter-agency, and academic audiences regarding the human rights components of Africa Bureau’s SSR programs.
- Prepare and provide briefings on the vetting programs, as required.
- Assist AF on any reports being issued by the bureau related to programs, grants, or contracts, as required.
- Assist the PMs in drafting program, contract, and/or grant-related memos, cables (i.e., formal State messages), briefing checklists and background papers.
- Travel, including Africa, as required.
- Must be a U.S. citizen and possess or be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance. Preference will be given to those with active security clearance.
- Master’s Degree or equivalent and three (3) years of relevant professional experience; or bachelor’s degree or equivalent and five (5) years of relevant professional experience; or High School Diploma or equivalent and nine (9) years of relevant professional experience
- At least two (2) years Leahy Vetting experience with the Department of State
- Familiarity of human rights and democracy records of foreign governments within the assigned country portfolio and an understanding of applicable international standards of human rights
- Familiarity of the principles, theories, and practices of international relations; ability to apply these to participate in Africa Bureau activities to promote the values of democracy and human rights throughout the world
- Familiarity of security forces, military organizations (to include common unit and rank structures) and equipment worldwide, especially of non-democratic countries
- Demonstrated knowledge of DOS bureaus, functions, programs, relationships, and resources; including a broad-based knowledge of organizations and programs that constitute the U.S. foreign affairs community
- Demonstrated ability to develop professional working relationships
- Demonstrated proficiency in computerized tracking of action requests and information searches, both classified and open sources
- Demonstrated ability to conduct research using analytical methods to validate, evaluate, and interpret in- formation obtained from a variety of sources
- Demonstrated ability to plan and organize activities to accomplish assignments independently according to established policies and practices
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize communication skills to prepare and present analysis, participate in meetings/discussions, and defend recommendations/proposals
- Demonstrated fluency of English speaking and writing
Preference may be extended to qualified Native American Indian candidates in accordance with applicable federal law.