Deterrence Tool Adv (ASDT) chez Universal Strategy Group Inc

Welcome to Universal Strategy Group Inc (USGI)! USGI is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. USGI was founded in 2007 with the single focus of preserving and promoting American security. Our mission is to provide the best-in-class personnel who provide tailored analytical, operational, and technical solutions to our Nation's most complex national security challenges while exceeding customer expectations.
 
USGI is committed to recruiting, nurturing, and retaining top talent that set us apart from our competition. USGI is an experienced, team-oriented, dynamic, and expanding company that values exceptional performance! USGI understands that well-cared for and motivated personnel are the key to the successful accomplishment of any mission, and toward that end, USGI takes exceptional care of our team.

USGI is seeking a Deterrence Tools Advisor (DTA) to serve on a several-person unit, managed by a Branch Chief. The Analyst, under the direction of the Branch Chief, will support implementation of PP 7750, Section 7031(c), and Global Magnitsky sanctions, as well as related sanctions tasks related to Narcotics and TOC Rewards Program. The Contractor will serve as an action officer managing a geographic region or regions and will be the initial point of contact for all incoming actions regarding assignment from Departmental offices, U.S. embassies/posts, other U.S. government (USG) agencies, international organizations, foreign governments, non‑governmental organizations, or other sources. The Contractor will develop cases, including research and analysis of information; coordination with posts, relevant bureaus and the interagency; interaction with non-governmental sources for proposed case and substantiating information; and drafting decision memos for senior leadership. The position will also include leading in drafting the related Congressionally mandated reports and raising awareness about these authorities through engagement with other Department offices, embassies abroad, the interagency, civil society, and the Hill.

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 Results and Criminal Deterrence (INL/RCD) plays a leadership role in INL, the Department, and the interagency in combating corruption and transnational organized crime internationally, including through management of several anticrime sanctions and deterrence tools. The Anticrime Sanctions and Deterrence Tools Branch implements corruption-related visa restrictions and related sanctions programs, as well as the Narcotics and Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Programs (NRP/TOCRP). INL administers two corruption-related visa denial authorities: Presidential Proclamation 7750 (PP 7750) and the Anti-Kleptocracy Provision in Section 7031(c) of the annual Appropriations Act. These two authorities allow the Department to deny visas to current and former corrupt officials, their corrupt affiliates, and their immediate family members. INL also supports implementation of Executive Order (E.O.) 13818 (entitled “Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption”), which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016, as well as E.O. 14059 (illicit drugs) and E.O. 13581 (TOC).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards actions directed at high-level corrupt foreign public officials, those who corrupt them (i.e., bribers), narcotraffickers, and transnational criminal organizations. 
• Assist in analyzing and improving knowledge of management processes and procedures related to visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards. 
• Draft analysis documents and memoranda for visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards cases, based on research and analysis of a variety of sources and in coordination with a range of stakeholders (including obtaining numerous clearances), for senior leadership’s consideration and approval. 
• Research and use the government and private sector best practices to measure and improve customer service, approval workflows, and processing timelines related to visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards. 
• Work closely with the Legal and Consular Affairs Bureaus to ensure legal, factual, and procedural prerequisites are met, and constructively resolve disagreements. Develop and maintain strong relationships throughout the Department through excellent customer service skills, project management knowledge, and a related understanding of the program office needs and mandates. 
• Provide feedback to management on best practices for data input, document standardization, organization, and storage related to visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards procedures. Identify recurring issues that should be addressed by management and develop solutions. 
• Coordinate interpretation and adaptation of available guidelines/SOPs for visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards and aid in analyzing the issues (e.g., workflow, delegations of authority, or regulatory compliance) and make recommendations for changes and improvements. 
• Assist subject matter experts with the development of training modules for INL sponsored training workshops and distance learning courses for posts and State Department bureaus for INL-managed authorities, based on policies and procedures. 
• Work closely with U.S. overseas posts, U.S. law enforcement, and the intelligence community in 1) distributing case-related information to ensure potential law enforcement actions involving subjects are not compromised by visa actions; and 2) generating referrals for cases and further developing the factual basis for draft memos. 
• Serve as a resource within the Department and the interagency community on visa restrictions, sanctions, and rewards; brief working level officials within the interagency and Department and assist in preparing Congressional reporting and testimony, as well as documentation for bureau senior leadership. 
• Develop SOPs for areas identified by Branch Chief and Team Lead focused on enhancing team efficiencies. 
• Advise on opportunities to expand use of authorities and innovate practice. 
• Support outreach efforts to raise awareness about these authorities through engagement with other Department offices, embassies abroad, the interagency, civil society, and the Hill. 
• Conduct similar research and analysis to support implementation of related sanctions and rewards programs, including the Global Magnitsky sanctions program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• U.S. Citizen
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Six to ten years’ experience in relevant field
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal regulations in regard to area of specific need (may be achieved by reading the Foreign Affairs Manual, section 18 FAM 300)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated experience facilitating organizational change

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• At least one years’ experience working in INL
• Demonstrated exposure to consular or sanctions work
• Demonstrated experience and ability for successful interactions with U.S. government agencies to develop and maintain partnership relationships
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to communicate analyses effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills to monitor, evaluate, digest, and synthesize complex, technical information
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and independently
• Demonstrated attention to detail, while maintaining timeliness and control over multiple elements of a portfolio
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office

CLEARANCE:  

A Top Secret security clearance is required for this position; work may begin with an interim Top Secret security clearance.

LEVEL OF EFFORT 

Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of the INL/RCD office in Washington, DC: Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week.

POSITION LOCATION:  

The physical work location is INL/ RCD’s office within State Annex 1 (SA-01), Columbia Plaza, 2401 E Street NW, Washington, DC. 

TELEWORK

If applicable, telework is authorized only with prior INL Office Director, Contracting Officer, and Contracting Officer’s Representative approval, in accordance with Department of State and INL policies.

USGI offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, AD&D, supplemental health plans, short and long-term disability insurance, 401(k) plan with company match, transportation stipend plus generous PTO offerings to include vacation/sick days, bereavement leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays. USGI is an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.