Program Design and 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, and the bilateral assistance program in Iraq.

Responsibilities

Promotes internet freedom in NEA/AC priority areas and serves as the primary point of contact for NEA/AC on internet freedom and emerging tech issues with a particular focus on innovative anti-censorship protocols and peer-to-peer technologies.

Advises NEA on how to design, implement, and adjust programs to safety and strategically incorporate emerging technologies in support of USG assistance strategies and congressional earmarks.

Develops security protocols and procedures to mitigate the risks to civil society in NEA countries, NEA/AC program implementers, and USG officials from hostile cybersecurity attacks.

Evaluates cybersecurity challenges and develops strategies and protocols to mitigate the risks to NEA/AC program participants and USG officials.

Develops background information and conducts research for presenting policy positions and discovering opportunities for USG assistance in the areas of emerging technologies and advances in access and secure communication technologies--including both fixed and mobile applications—especially as it pertains to censorship, network disruptions, and total internet shutdown scenarios.

Advises Department and interagency officials and staffs on assistance coordination issues and problems, including developments in information and communications technologies and policies.

Maintains visibility on all relevant USG internet freedom programs in the region, keeping NEA informed of key developments and assessing the effects of changes in the communication environment and networks in the region.

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.

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.

Contributes to and influences the establishment of foreign assistance policy coordination in the interagency as it relates to internet freedom and emerging technologies in the region.

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.

Monitors compliance by implementing partners in information technology (IT) and operational security policies and practices, including the protection of sub-partners, participants and beneficiaries through best practices and other compliance standards, including vetting and secure communications.

Reports instances of security violations or incidents to the appropriate supervisory officials, including security issues and incidents affecting grantees and others in the communities that NEA actively supports.

Briefs NEA leadership on developments of interest; drafts memoranda, position papers, and cables on internet freedom and emerging technologies.

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 related to internet freedom.

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.

Qualifications

Secret clearance required (or above)