The Senior Program Specialist shall assist in coordinating all aspects of the Bureau’s SCA/STA managed regional Economic Support Funds (ESF) for the Indo-Pacific. The Assistance Team performs strategic planning, budget formulation, budget execution, and monitoring and evaluation work specific to foreign assistance for the Missions in South and Central Asia. In performing these functions, the Team is responsible for SCA’s compliance with Department-wide processes and requirements in strategic planning, budgeting, program management, and oversight. The Team leads in developing required internal reports and strategies, coordinating across all posts, and in communicating these strategies to outside audiences including the Office of Management and Budget and Congress through briefings and preparing principals for hearings. The Team manages two Operating Units, one to advance regional economic connectivity in South & Central Asia and the second, managed jointly with Embassy Colombo, to respond to the recent democratic transitions in Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives. The Team provides management and oversight of these resources to adhere to SCA front office objectives and goals.
In November 2017, the President announced “the Indo Pacific Strategy” which seeks to strengthen the international rules-based system and to protect the political and economic independence of all Indo-Pacific nations. The Department of State implements the strategy by, among other things, focusing resources on programs across three pillars: economic, security, and governance. SCA/ STA has completed a program design for the economic pillar that prioritizes foreign assistance investments in governance, trade, and infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific. The incumbent may be called upon to contribute to the development and implementation of programs in the other two pillars, as well as bilateral assistance and Countering Chinese Influence fund initiatives.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assists with the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of performance indicators for a multimillion-dollar portfolio of STA-managed foreign assistance programs.
- Provides expert advice to SCA managers up to the Assistant Secretary level on strategies for achieving organizational goals with foreign assistance as the policy tool.
- Designs and implements external evaluations and analyzes findings.
- Coordinates with SCA program officers to ensure that implementing partners are executing program design, monitoring, and evaluation requirements.
- Drafts the annual State SCA Regional Performance Plan and Report working collaboratively with Bureau colleagues and contributes to other Department performance reporting.
- Plans, facilitates, and carries out domestic and overseas site visits, team studies, and consultations in order to carry out program evaluation duties.
- Develops and provides guidance to implementing partners.
- In coordination with the Team Lead and SCA leadership, the incumbent responds to internal and external requests for information, including from Congress, regarding performance of SCA/STA-managed funds. The incumbent also works with the Bureau Planner to coordinate internal bureau reviews to align policy, planning, and resources.
- Applies internal control measures to protect organizational integrity and prevent unauthorized use or misappropriation of sensitive and classified material; reports instances of security violations/problems to the appropriate supervisory/ management official; assumes full responsibility for safeguarding all classified and sensitive but unclassified material and equipment in assignment area(s).
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in managing programs (program management) and international affairs.
- At least 7 of the 10 years, managing large programs with an annual budget of at least $50 million.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Top Secret clearance.
- Experience to provide guidance and oversight to junior officers.
- Experience working within time constraints and under pressure.
- Working knowledge of personal computers and general administrative practices.
- U.S. Citizenship.
- Superior attention to detail, strong multi-tasking and organizational skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Superior interpersonal skills and proven ability to work well with others.
- Ability to work independently on projects and issues within overall policy guidelines.
- Experience meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced, office environment.
- Knowledge of international affairs.
Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Pay: $155,000.00 - $167,400.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Education:
Experience:
- program management: 10 years (Required)
- Federal government: 1 year (Preferred)
- managing large programs with budget of 50M: 7 years (Preferred)
- international affairs: 1 year (Preferred)
Security clearance:
Ability to Commute:
- Washington, DC 20520 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Washington, DC 20520: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person