Foreign Assistance Program Analyst II / SME II

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/probblems 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 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 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 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 relation 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 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 Qualified candidates that are HUBZone residents, preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr Competitive Innovations, LLC