Foreign Affairs Advisor

Duties and Responsibilities:

• • Conduct policy analysis and research and assist with policy recommendations in support of FAO/VA's mandate, including but not limited to security sector assistance and arms sales; security force conduct, reported human rights violations, and government accountability measures; civilian protection and reported incidents of civilian harm; monitoring and documenting atrocities; and addressing issues related to children and armed conflict.
  • Participate in meetings across the USG and foreign policy community on issues related to security and human rights, and maintain relationships with key USG, civil society, and bilateral stakeholders and counterparts.
  • Draft briefing checklists and talking points for FAO leadership; author congressionally mandated reports on security and human rights concerns; and coordinate with the interagency on key topics and shared concerns.
  • Serve as a FAO/VA subject matter expert and advisor on laws, policies, and procedures including but not limited to gross violations of human rights, conduct and accountability of security forces, security sector assistance, Leahy vetting, arms sales, civilian protection, atrocity prevention and early warning, , and the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
  • Research, draft, and clear State Department responses to Congressionally mandated reports, Congressional inquiries, and FOIA requests pertaining to security and human rights issues, and serve as an advisor for others in the office on the clearance process.
  • Draft, clear, publish, and implement ALDACs, bulletins, and other documents related to implementation of the State Leahy law and implementation policies, and provide ongoing guidance to posts in complying with these instructions.
  • Advise on Leahy workflow at posts worldwide, reviewing posts' Leahy Vetting Standard Operating Procedures and providing policy and procedural advice on routine Leahy vetting matters.
  • Provide advice to posts on vetting best practices, based on existing policy, including the adoption of more unit vetting and proactive vetting.
  • Promulgate changes to vetting policy and procedures to posts.
  • Develop detailed knowledge of the INVESTc system
  • Draft and clear Leahy Vetting Guide updates at State and the Pentagon, including changes based on INVEST deployment and future system updates.
  • Update NFATC Leahy policy training materials as needed.
  • Provide advice to posts on Leahy remediation policies and procedures, schedule and facilitate State remediation review panels, and review and assist in drafting State remediation recommendations. Routinely review and update the State Leahy Vetting Fast Track list and provide guidance to posts that are added or removed from the Fast Track list.
  • Routinely develop and update State Leahy law and implementation policy training materials and provide Leahy-related training to a wide variety of U.S. Government, public, and international audiences as needed.
  • Assist posts and the Department in complying with Leahy implementation related OIG, GAO, and other audits of posts and Department bureaus as needed.

Work Location & Hours:

• Washington, DC
• Office hours are Monday-Friday (8:15a - 5p), though starting hours may range from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., upon management approval.

Travel:

It is anticipated that domestic and/or international travel may be required. Travel will be on an as needed basis and must be authorized and coordinated in advance. All travel will be in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations.

Training:

This position will be expected to complete training relevant to the job duties. Required courses for this position that will be provided by company:

• CT401 - Counter Threat Awareness Training
• PP410 - Leahy Policy and Diplomacy