Foreign Assistance Program Analyst II - Internet Freedom Washington, DC

Competitive Innovations, LLC (CI) is seeking a Foreign Assistance Program Analyst II – Internet Freedom to support the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor’s Office of Global Programs (DRL/GP). 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. This is a full-time position located in Washington, D.C.

The ideal candidate would have experience with: implementing technology programs in closed environments; management of grants and contracts; development or deployment of anti-censorship or secure communication software; knowledge of open source standards; demonstrated commitment to Internet freedom and human rights work, and superb interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity for working with multinational staff and partners. Demonstrated capacity for writing, editing, and public communications concerning Internet Freedom policy issues is a must.

Responsibilities:

Coordinate with the grants officer representative in the administration and coordination of programs. Assist Team Lead and Deputy Directors 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. Negotiate program solicitation language with regional bureaus, Post leadership, and within DRL. 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 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 Acquisitions Management, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget and USAID offices. 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 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. Assist in the coordination of foreign assistance funding throughout the federal assistance lifecycle that include pre-award, award and post-award phases in grants and cooperative agreements. Coordinate and assist the DRL/GP Leadership in the administration and coordination of international human rights and democracy foreign assistance 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 ideal candidate would have experience with: implementing technology programs in closed environments; management of grants and contracts; development or deployment of anti-censorship or secure communication software; knowledge of open source standards; demonstrated commitment to Internet freedom and human rights work, and superb interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity for working with multinational staff and partners. Demonstrated capacity for writing, editing, and public communications concerning Internet Freedom policy issues is a must. A minimum of 5 years in professional positions conducting these activities is strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree with 7-9 years of experience or a master’s degree with 5-7 years of experience. 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. 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. Ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision. Qualified candidates that are HUBZone residents, preferred.

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