Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction U.S. Department of State Personal Services Contract Position WMD Threat Reduction Program Advisor
Please submit applications by midnight on October 23 th , 2024.
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 a candidate to serve as a Program Officer at the Department of State headquarters to assist with developing, implementing, supporting, and coordinating nonproliferation capacity-building efforts. In particular, these efforts include countering a variety of the Russian Federation's malign activities, including its use of Chemical, Biological, and Radiological agents as tools of assassination, proliferation of WMD, sales of advanced conventional weapons to support its malign influence, evasion of sanctions for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and use of active measures campaigns to undermine longstanding nonproliferation norms. These efforts also include providing critical nonproliferation assistance to key stakeholders in Ukraine to protect against a variety of Russian Federation threats.
The candidate will be responsible for programmatic and technical oversight of assigned activities in several priority countries and will work closely with other Department of State and interagency entities, counterparts in foreign governments, technical experts, and other stakeholders to develop and execute program 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.
The incumbent would also assist efforts to counter the growing concern of other proliferator state sale of advanced conventional weapons.
Duties and responsibilities under this opportunity include, but are not limited to:
Managing technical trainings and other activities to build capacity with partner countries to:
Counter WMD threats from proliferator states.
Deter the development and dissemination of WMD, especially in a hostile information environment.
Identify and disrupt malign activity related to the proliferation of WMD.
Counter the sales of advanced conventional weapons by proliferator states,
Identify illicit procurement networks using commercially available data on sanctions evasion activities,
Help enforce bilateral and multilateral sanctions regimes to prevent prohibited Russian entities' access to financial resources and electronic components needed to advance its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Enhance WMD detection and response capabilities to deter Russia's further use of WMD; and
Provide relevant assistance to Ukraine to a variety of threats posed by the Russian Federation.
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:
Active U.S. Government Secret-level security clearance preferred.
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; or an Undergraduate degree with 6 or more years of professional 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.
Foreign language skills (including but not limited to Russian) or professional experience in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is a plus.
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 23 th , 2024.Salary: Work requirements are commensurate with the GS-13 to GS-14 salary range. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.