Competitive Innovations, LLC (CI) is seeking a Foreign Assistance Program Analyst II/Subject Matter Expert II to support the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). The position is 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. They assist with Departmental briefings to congressional staffers on these programs.
The Subject Matter Expert II represents and communicates foreign assistance program objectives to other State Department and U.S government offices (USG) involved in programming Democracy Fund and HRDF and other transfer funding to include, but not be limited to, the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance, regional bureaus, Office of Global Acquisition, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget and other regional and thematic offices. They liaise and consult on program administration, financial planning and acquisition of programming funds. The SME will respond to Congressional requests for information regarding programs and regional and thematic program objectives. They will also provide information to the NGO community and other implementing organizations regarding the USG’s DRL grants processes.
The Subject Matter Expert II maintains, updates and develops as necessary systems for the efficient and accessible retrieval of documents regarding the allocation, notification, transfer and implementation of Democracy Fund, HRDF, transfer funding, and special Congressionally-mandated funds; and tracks the award of grants. They will apply internal control measures to protect organizational integrity and prevent unauthorized use or misappropriation of sensitive and classified material; report instances of security violations/problems to the appropriate supervisory/management official; assume full responsibility for safeguarding all classified and sensitive (but unclassified) material and equipment in assignment area(s).
This is a full-time position located in Washington, D.C. Salary range is $100-110k.
Responsibilities:
Coordinate with the grants officer representative (GOR) in the administration and coordination of programs
Assist Program Lead and Senior Program officials 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
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 Regional and Thematic foreign assistance program objectives to other State Department and U.S government offices involved in programming Democracy Fund and Human Rights and Democracy Funds (HRDF) and other transfer funding to include, but not be limited to, regional bureaus, Office of Global Acquisition, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Foreign Assistance
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’s regional and thematic foreign assistance 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 position. Attend trainings or conferences to further knowledge in relations to duties and responsibilities listed above and/or hone expertise in regional or thematic areas including but not limited to: Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, Internet Freedom, International Religious Freedom, and Monitoring and Evaluations.
As needed and as resources permit, the individual may be asked to directly support the travel of senior DRL, and Regional Bureaus and Offices under the purview of the newly established F 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
Essential functions of this position include:
Must be able to travel globally to highly sensitive areas as needed
Minimum Qualifications:
Secret level security clearance
The candidate must have knowledge of and experience in international programming in addition to relevant education and training, ideally with a strong understanding of domestic and foreign NGO administration
Must have a 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
The ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision
Bachelor’s degree with 7-9 years of experience or a master’s degree with 5-7 years of experience
Competitive Innovations (CI) is a technology partner and trusted advisor to government and industry customers with critical demand for information technology, program management, cyber security, mission support, and secure high integrity web-based solutions. Founded in July 1999, CI’s dedicated professional team is committed to excellence, persistence, and agility in solving complex challenges and delivering innovative solutions. CI is a SBA HUBZone certified small business concern, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner/CSP, Kentico Gold Partner, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) prime and Navy SeaPort-NxG prime contractor.
Competitive Innovations, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other classification proscribed under federal, state, or local law. If you are a qualified disabled veteran or individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to use or access our online system, please contact our Human Resources Department at accommodations@cillc.com. https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf