Program Strategy Analyst (PIC) presso Universal Strategy Group Inc (USGI)

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 Program Strategy Analyst who will primarily support RCD/PIC by providing program design and strategic analysis advisory services to INL program offices and country sections in support of higher-level strategic planning processes and aligning assistance for results under the America First foreign policy. The Program Strategy Analyst will also assist INL/RCD SMEs and technical advisors to conduct research, review and analyze policy and program documents, and make recommendations on best practices and Bureau-wide strategy and doctrine for effective criminal justice and law enforcement reform.

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) is part of the Under Secretariat for Arms Control and International Security (T) within the Department of State (DOS). INL’s mission is to keep Americans safe by countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad by providing effective foreign assistance and securing international commitments for U.S. security priorities. 

The Office of Results and Criminal Deterrence (INL/RCD) advances INL’s mission through criminal deterrence tools, monitoring and evaluation, and technical assistance to maximize the effectiveness of the bureau’s efforts to counter threats and strengthen criminal justice institutions in 90+ countries around the globe. RCD’s technical advisory assistance includes developing tools, resources, and standardized approaches; evidence-based criteria; and identifying best practices across law enforcement, counternarcotics, and criminal justice issues. INL/RCD also assists INL programs and creates efficiencies by identifying, networking, and leveraging expertise from across the bureau and RCD’s broader network. INL/RCD develops and maintains strategic partnerships with international and U.S. state, county, municipal, and federal law enforcement and criminal justice agencies and institutions to bring up-to-date and relevant expertise to bear on INL programs. 

The Program Integration and Coordination (PIC) team coordinates within the RCD office and advises across bureau to streamline and improve INL’s foreign assistance program development and implementation through strategic analysis, program assessments/reviews, tool and resource development, and strategic program design. The team may provide short-term surge support as needed for other offices in the bureau. The PIC team has robust experience managing foreign assistance and development programming, the majority have direct experience working in INL. They may join RCD subject matter experts on assessment visits, as well as provide general program management advisory services, ad-hoc mentoring, and formal internal training. RCD/PIC also serves as a key central node/entry point for general inquiries within the bureau about INL practices.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Serve as a program management and strategic analysis and advisory resource within INL and advise the Post/Bureau on design and implementation of INL program and projects. The Program Strategy Analyst will provide program management advice to inform the design and implementation of INL programs related to criminal justice reform, based on strategic threat analysis and criminal justice and foreign assistance best practices. The Program Strategy Analyst will advise on INL strategy and programs across various regions, as required. 
• In close coordination with USDHs, design and develop country programs, criminal justice projects, and activities, including internal planning documents, reviewing external information, and components of implementing mechanism packages for INL approval. Using INL Program Design standards, develop and/or analyze statements of work, program plans and objectives, performance measures, change maps, training curricula, policy guidance, and other materials as needed in support of INL’s criminal justice development efforts. Assist with oversight of program implementers. Identify areas of success and challenges and refer matters for USDH final action to make adjustments as needed. 
• Advise and assist on the management of projects in support of and in close coordination with USDHs, keeping USDHs informed of the details of such project implementation, progress, challenges, and recommended solutions. This may include any components of the full program life cycles: program and project design, management, oversight, monitoring, and evaluation, including procurement/implementing mechanisms, strategic planning, policy engagement, management issues (budget, logistics, accountability, risk mitigation, personnel), region specific threats and issues, multilateral affairs, press/public diplomacy, Congressional affairs, niche topical expertise (incl. operating programs in conflict/post-conflict zones), summit/event planning/execution, new team coordination and integration, assistance with on-boarding/training, transparency and accountability measures, logistical planning, and vendor/contractor coordination. 
• Develop tools and guidance to ensure compliance with INL property management regulations and End Use Monitoring (EUM) requirements. Support adherence to appropriate internal management control systems, including monitoring to prevent fraud, waste, and/or mismanagement. 
• Draw on subject matter expertise in criminal justice sector assistance and program management involving U.S. government funding to support a wide range of INL program activities, including financial support, vetting, logistics support for program activities, and procurement. Develop guidance and processes to ensure transparency and oversight monitoring over the expenditure of funds provided to implementers. 
• Liaise with appropriate counterparts of relevant U.S. interagency, state and local criminal justice agencies and institutions, civil society, private sector, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations to coordinate on relevant criminal justice and foreign assistance trends, best practices, policies, and programs. 
• Attend Bureau/Post, interagency, and international meetings and events on behalf of INL, as requested by the relevant INL Director or designee. Participate, as needed, in conferences, dialogues, and similar events on international criminal justice issues. 
• In close coordination with USDHs, analyze program compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Provide feedback to USDHs on projects falling outside of program guidelines as notified to Congress and as laid out in the relevant INL Program Framework. Assist with full compliance of all INL-funded training with the Leahy Amendment and Section 477 of the Foreign Assistance Act. Analyze compliance with INL property management regulations. Explain relevant U.S. laws, regulations, and policies to foreign government authorities and implementing partners. 
• Support development of quarterly and annual progress reports on criminal justice priorities and programs, including data for metrics and performance indicators to measure program/project success; and respond to requests for data and performance measures from the Embassy and INL Washington. 
• In close coordination with USDHs, respond to inquiries and participate in engagements by the Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Accountability Office (GAO), INL Management Assistance Visits (if requested by a program team or SAO), and other internal and external oversight activities. Identify and analyze foreign assistance and program management trends, challenges, and opportunities. 
• In close coordination with USDHs, draft and contribute to reporting cables, memoranda, briefing materials, and other written products that support the execution and communication of INL Section’s diplomatic, policy, and programmatic activities. 
• Provide short-term surge support for priority portfolios in Washington and, as needed, overseas. 
• Strengthen and create connections between program offices and internal tools and services (SMEs, , project packages, design, monitoring and evaluation, program design consultation, etc.). 
• Maintain and research programmatic best practices and process knowledge management (i.e. country program shut down, start-up, conflict-zone and post-conflict program management) 
• Analyze whether RCD tools and resources fulfill customer needs and provide feedback to adjust and/or develop tools/resources in close coordination with USDHs. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• U.S. Citizenship
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Six to eight years’ experience in 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 QUALIFICATIONS 

• At least five years’ experience working in INL (USDH, contractor, or combination)
• Demonstrated experience with at least five of the following: program and project design, management, oversight, monitoring, and evaluation, including procurement/implementing mechanisms, strategic planning, policy engagement, management issues (budget, logistics, accountability, risk mitigation, personnel), regional expertise, multilateral affairs, press/public diplomacy, Congressional affairs, niche topical expertise (incl. operating programs in conflict/post-conflict zones), substantial overseas experience, summit/event planning/execution, ability to build skills of new teams coordination with relevant partners, assistance with on-boarding/training, transparency and accountability measures, logistical planning, and vendor/contractor coordination
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with security sector assistance in the Western Hemisphere and/or Asia/Pacific regions
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Demonstrated experience with Federal procurement processes
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service

CLEARANCE:  

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

LEVEL OF EFFORT 

The hours for the position will be the core hours of the Department of State: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day.

POSITION LOCATION:  

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

TELEWORK

Telework is authorized only with prior INL/RCD Office Director, INL Contracting Officer (CO), and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) 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.