Competitive Innovations, LLC (CI) is seeking a Foreign Assistance Program Analyst/Subject Matter Expert II to support the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), Office of Global Programs. The Subject Matter Expert shall be responsible for ensuring effective execution of program requirements: establishing systematic methods of program execution, evaluation, and advocacy; determining whether funding is warranted and available and assessing activities to determine funding requirements; analyzing program and budget proposals and presenting them to the State Department and interagency panels; preparing justification or recommendation memoranda for review and approval by appropriate officials; and providing follow-up problem-solving assistance, guideline interpretations, and technical consultations as required to applicants.
The Subject Matter Expert represents and communicates DRL's program objectives to other State Department and U.S government offices involved in programming Democracy Fund and HRDF and other transfer funding to include, but not be limited to, regional bureaus, Office of Acquisitions Management, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget and USAID offices. They liaise and consult on program administration, financial planning and acquisition of programming funds. They will respond to Congressional requests for information regarding programs and DRL program objectives. This is a full-time position located in Washington, D.C.
Responsibilities:Coordinate with the GOR in the administration and coordination of programs.Assist Team Lead and Deputy Directors to oversee program funding for assigned portfolio.Help develop goals, objectives and programs for utilization of the foreign assistance funding.Collect grant documentation for review by decision-making committees who will select grant recipients within available funding levels.Liaise with offices involved in administration, financial planning and acquisition of program funding.Skillfully communicate verbally and in writing to provide briefings, status reviews, and advice upon request to the other DRL program staff and senior personnel on grant issues.Work on designated portfolio to ensure pre-award, award, and ongoing management and monitoring of programs globally.Monitor grantee budget execution and drawdowns to ensure program objectives are met and are in accordance with 2 CFR 200.Negotiate program solicitation language with regional bureaus, Post leadership, and within DRL.Advise senior Bureau officials on development of goals, objectives and programs for utilization of foreign assistance funding.Remain informed on the changing political environment in the designated portfolio as well as global issues impacting the region by regularly meeting with grantees, human rights defenders, researchers, and other funders.Communicate DRL's program objectives to other State Department and U.S government offices involved in programming Democracy Fund and HRDF and other transfer funding to include, but not be limited to, regional bureaus, Office of Acquisitions Management, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget and USAID offices.Coordinate with policy colleagues to prepare paper and brief DRL Bureau leadership for meetings on issues related to a specific region or thematic area.Prepare budget and programmatic reports that track grant obligation data and program successes for active grants.Review and provide analysis of program proposals to decision-making panels who will select grant recipients within available funding levels.Prepare responses to auditor inquiries on programs.Assist with responding to Congressional requests for information regarding programs and DRL program objectives.Attend stakeholder workshops and conferences on topics related to their duties and responsibilities, provide program monitoring and technical assistance to grantees, while supporting the FTE. Additional responsibilities may include:Liaise with U.S. embassies and consulates regarding the award, management, and monitoring of grants.Drafting reports and other documents for the team and program staff.Drafting and clearing internal papers and memoranda regarding evaluations.Organize and participate in meetings, trainings, and/or conference events.Undertake additional training to ensure they obtain relevant skills needed to advance U.S. policy and programming priorities and meet requirements of this SOW. Attend trainings or conferences to further knowledge in relations to duties and responsibilities listed above and/or hone expertise in one or more following areas regional or thematic area: Western Hemisphere Affairs, South Central Asia, East-Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, Near- Eastern Affairs, Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, Internet Freedom, International Religious Freedom, Transitional Justice, Monitoring and Evaluations, Gender, Marginalized Populations, Security and Human Rights.As needed and as resources permit, the individual may be asked to directly support the travel of senior DRL Bureau and U.S. Department of State officials and/or at the direction of and in coordination with the Grants Officer Representative and/or Grants Officer, conduct program monitoring visits at the project implementation site to monitor grantee activities.Report on program activities monitored and analyze to support both the Grants Officer Representative and/or the Grants Officer in their evaluation of programs. Minimum Qualifications:Secret Security Clearance; required to start in position.The ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience with designing, implementing, and/or overseeing democracy and human rights foreign assistance programs for China, including specific expertise in Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Additional expertise in foreign influence in East Asia and the Pacific may also be considered.Experience managing programs in closed environments and a commitment to 'Do No Harm' and engaging with civil society and other at-risk groups.Superb interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.Language proficiency in Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan, or Uyghur is preferred.Exhibit advanced written and oral communication skills suitable for high-level, policy-making audiences.Bachelors' degree with 7-9 years of experience or a master's degree with 5-7 years of experience.Knowledge of and experience in managing international programming in addition to relevant education and training, ideally with a strong understanding of domestic and foreign NGO administration.Strong understanding of different types of foreign assistance funds.Awareness of the requirements and understanding of 2 CFR 200.Experience working in professional, fast-paced, and demanding environments.Ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision.Able to travel globally to highly sensitive areas as needed.Qualified candidates that are HUBZone residents, preferred.
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