Program Design Support Specialist IV

This position is in the Office of Assistance Coordination (AC) within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) in the Department of State (DOS). NEA/AC is responsible for coordinating U.S. foreign assistance to the entire NEA region, totaling over $8 billion annually, including by providing policy direction and operating guidance to officials in Washington and at NEA posts responsible for the implementation of regional assistance programs; overseeing strategic planning, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation for the Bureau; and providing grants management of foreign assistance awards for the NEA Bureau and, when needed, for overseas NEA posts. NEA/AC also has responsibility for directing, managing, and implementing the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Near East Regional Democracy (NERD) program, the Syria program and the bilateral assistance program in Iraq.

Responsibilities:

• Advises NEA on how to design, implement, and adjust programs to safely and strategically incorporate emerging technologies in support of USG assistance strategies and congressional earmarks.
• Advises Department and interagency officials and staffs on assistance coordination issues and problems.
• Supports communication of U.S. assistance strategy to Congress, media, NGOs, policymakers, and the information and communications industry.
• Participates in and supports program budget formulation and congressional appropriation process for regional assistance.
• Coordinates and communicates directly with implementing partners to manage foreign assistance projects.
• Participates in panels both internally to NEA/AC and in other State department offices as a voting member to assess the merits of proposals submitted in response to notice of funding opportunities
• Initiates and evaluates scientific, policy, and technical research, identifying developments which might directly impact policy and project objectives.
• Identifies, initiates, and develops strategies and tactics to implement all assigned projects to ensure that they achieve established objectives and make appropriate contributions to the portfolio.
• Deploys expertise to evaluate the effectiveness of project-related operations in meeting established Bureau, office, and USG foreign policy goals and objectives, recommending improvements or other policy changes, as appropriate.
• Participates in assigned Department and interagency working groups and meetings and makes recommendations to these bodies and to Department management on policies or program management approaches that will assist in achieving Department goals.
• Briefs NEA leadership on developments of interest; drafts memoranda, position papers, and cables on issues related to portfolio.
• Utilizes expertise to analyze, on a qualitative and/or quantitative basis, the effectiveness of project-related operations in meeting established Bureau, office, and U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives, recommending changes or follow-up, as appropriate.
• Leads the drafting and management of solicitations for funding applications
• Performs assigned Project Officer duties, including reviewing and recommending action on implementer quarterly performance reports; evaluating award burn rates; reviewing indicator data and workplan progress; recommending action if performance issues are flagged; ensuring that project information included in AC databases and inventories is accurate and up to date; analyzing information and project performance data and proposals, preparing reports, drafts project proposals, memos, and other documents for senior officers.
• Coordinates effectively with other NEA/AC members by sharing information, facilitating cross-portfolio cooperation and sharing of best practices, and supporting other officers to accomplish team tasks as requested.
• Maintains cooperative, collegial, and professional approach in the workplace. Complies with other established standards, policies, practices and protocols, including Customer Service Standards, Sexual and Discriminatory Harassment, No FEAR Act, and Equal Employment Opportunity.
• Complies with all appropriate controls and procedures to protect organizational integrity and prevent unauthorized use or misappropriation of all classified and sensitive (but unclassified) material and equipment in assignment area(s);
• Assumes personal responsibility for safeguarding classified and sensitive (but unclassified) material and equipment within assignment area(s);
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Significant knowledge of U.S. Government foreign policies and demonstrated relevant qualifications.
• Will possess skills, including excellent interpersonal, writing and organizational skills; significant attention to detail and the ability to operate in a dynamic environment
• Ability to gather and maintain information, exemplified decision-making, teamwork and attention to detail.
• Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance.
• Masters or bachelor's with 3 years' experience or 7-8 years of relevant work experience.
• Knowledge of and experience working on or in the Middle East/North Africa (3-4 years) is a requirement for this position.
• Specialists must also have knowledge and 3-4 years of experience in one or more of the following areas: stabilization programming, democracy, governance and rule of law programing, human rights, gender programming, economic growth and development programming, working with civil society organization.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.