North Africa and the Sahel Program Advisor -INL

Description

The Celestar Corporation has been issued an IMMEDIATE Task Order to provide support to the Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). As a result, we’re looking for a North Africa and the Sahel Program Advisor who will be seated in Washington, DC. If interested and qualified, we welcome you to post for this challenging opportunity.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: A Top Secret security clearance is required for the position; with eligibility for SCI

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) Year from the Date of Assignment with the potential for four (4) follow-on Option Years.

BACKGROUND
The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) keeps Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. INL’s Office of Africa and the Middle East (INL/AME) develops and manages criminal justice sector reform programs and contributes to policy formulation on civilian security issues in the region.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The North Africa and the Sahel Program Advisor provides programmatic, contractual, logistical, and administrative support to the INL/AME North Africa and the Sahel team to assist with all regional and bilateral portfolios. The Program Advisor will assist the INL/AME North Africa and the Sahel Team Lead and the other INL/AME North Africa and the Sahel team Program Officers in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the INL programs throughout the region. The Program Advisor will also work with his/her counterparts, such as INL sections at embassies, INL/EX, INL/CAP, etc., to ensure that INL programs address the priorities of the Department, Bureau, and post and that the programs are on track to meet outlined goals. The Program Advisor will organize and attend meetings, research background information, draft papers, review reports, and provide other programmatic and budget support related to the assigned portfolio in consultation with the Team Lead. The Program Advisor will regularly travel in support of the INL/AME programs to the region.

LEVEL OF EFFORT
Hours for the position will be the core hours of tINL/AME: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day.

TELEWORK

If applicable, telework is authorized only with prior INL/AME Team Lead, INL Contracting Officer (CO), and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) approval, in accordance with Department of State and INL policies.

POSITION LOCATION
The physical work location is the INL/KM Office at State Annex (SA-01), Columbia Plaza, 2401 E St. NW, Washington, DC.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT
DoS will provide office space, computer, phone, and other required equipment and supplies necessary to complete all job requirements. DoS will own and maintain all government furnished property.

TRAVEL

This position will also require regular travel to the North Africa and Sahel regions to support INL sections as needed. Frequent and extensive travel may be required for up to two (02) months in duration. Travel is authorized for this position in accordance with the award.

TRAINING
This BPA Call provides for mandatory training for Department of State-specific equipment, systems, and processes (reference 13 FAM 300 Agency Mandated Training), which shall be completed promptly and in accordance with Department policy. These trainings do not require INL Contracting Officer (CO) approval. Travel related training (i.e. FACT (CT650), HTSOS-C etc.), may be required, if applicable. The Contractor’s Program Manager (PM) shall coordinate with INL/EX/GAPP to determine if applicable and if INL (CO)’s approval is required prior. All other training requires INL CO approval.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
North Africa and Sahel Program Advisory

• Assist in design and implementation of INL programming through regular reporting, maintaining up-to-date project files, ensuring regular communication with posts and implementing partners, and ensuring programmatic activities support INL, Department,
  and U.S. government priorities.
• Track program budgets and pipelines for assigned projects.
• Support and advise the North Africa and the Sahel team in the coordination and obligation of funding onto INL implementing mechanisms, to include but not limited to contracts, grants, interagency agreements, and letters of agreement.
• Assist in drafting documents such as Statements of Work (SOWs), Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), Interagency Agreements, Letters of Agreements, and program and project work plans and facilitate sub-obligations.
• Assist in compiling and analyzing program budget data, including project development and support costs and estimates.
• Assist in the preparation of programmatic and budgetary justifications, overviews, and responses to Department stakeholders.
• Assist in preparing program and project justifications and responses to congressional and oversight committees, including OMB, GAO, OIG, and the House and Senate committees on foreign appropriations.
• Assist in the preparation of background materials, reports, speeches, briefings, meeting notes, press guidance, and testimony on North Africa and Sahel issues for use by INL.
• Provide advice and support for budget and monitoring & evaluation efforts related to North Africa and the Sahel programs.
• As required, prepare and process purchase requests to support INL program implementation.
• Follow Department and office rules, regulations, and policies and protect sensitive and classified material.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• U.S. Citizenship
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Two (2) to four (4) years’ experience in a relevant field
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal regulations in regard to area of specific need.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating organizational change.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Demonstrated superior interpersonal skills and proven ability to work well with others.
• Demonstrated excellent and demonstrated written and oral briefing skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project or program planning and execution.
• Demonstrated experience with project or program management.
• Demonstrated superior attention to detail and experience meeting tight deadlines in a fastpaced,office environment.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of political, cultural, and criminal issues in the North Africa and Sahel regions.
• Current Top Secret Security clearance, eligible for SCI.
• A Graduate degree in a relevant field.
• More than two (02) years of demonstrated experience with implementing foreign assistance and/or demonstrated knowledge of INL responsibilities and skill sets.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing, managing, and/or advising on criminal justice reform programs or projects preferably in North Africa and the Sahel.
• Demonstrated experience working with U.S. government grants and contracts.
• Demonstrated French or Arabic language skills.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing, managing, and/or advising on gender-related programs or projects.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a Best Athlete Selection Process! With this in mind, please ensure that the required and/or desired experience is reflected on your resume to receive fair and competitive consideration.

Come onboard with a company that Values its Employees!
Celestar, a Veteran Owned Company, is Very Competitive with Salaries and Benefits. As an example, we offer Company Paid Benefits that include Employee and Family Dental Insurance, Employee Health Insurance. We also offer a 401k retirement company match, paid Holidays and Personal Time Off.

Celestar is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, disability status, gender identity or national origin.

A new Federal Executive Order requires that employees of Federal contractors be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by January 18, 2022. Accordingly, as a condition of employment with Celestar, employees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption prior to starting employment.