Foreign Affairs Officer

Foreign Affairs Officer U.S. Department of State Office of the Under Secretary for Political Affairs (P) Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) Program of Technical Cooperation *This is a personal services contractor position. Interested parties should apply directly. No proposals will be accepted from third party contractors.* MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN TO APPLY. I. Introduction: This position is located in the Program of Technical Cooperation (PTC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PTC leads an interagency effort including several interagency partners. U.S. Chief of Mission staff working for the program in the Kingdom perform their duties primarily in Saudi facilities. Seeking dynamic candidates who can think strategically, act decisively and independently but also operate effectively in a team to fill multiple Foreign Affairs Officer positions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The incumbent serves as a Foreign Affairs Officer (FAO) and works on the development, formulation, coordination and execution of activities, initiatives, and projects. The incumbent will coordinate directly with U.S. Embassy Riyadh staff, Saudi government officials, the PTC Washington Support Unit, and officials of other USG Agencies providing or proposing to provide technical assistance and/or equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The incumbent will provide advice and execute program activities with PTC, Embassy Riyadh, and Saudi government agencies, consistent with U.S. Government (USG) policy. Duties Include: • Research, draft, and advise on effective strategies to advance priorities; • Draft materials to prepare officials for engagements and handle meeting arrangements, notes, challenges, and follow-up; • Liaise with subject matter expert teams; • Manage assigned programs and establish systematic methods of program execution, evaluation or advocacy, • Lead special projects that advance office and team initiatives; • Develop written materials and coordinate efforts to inform stakeholders; • Assess viability of options and alternatives, anticipate potential policy problems, assess their impact and reaction, and ensure that policy recommendations are consistent with USG and Departmental objectives. • Ensure that the team meets deadlines for inquiries, correspondence, and reports; and • Other duties as assigned. II. Major Duties and Responsibilities: The incumbent performs the following: 1. Assists senior staff members in analyzing policy options and developing strategies for achieving short or long-term USG policy goals. Proposes options and alternatives to current or proposed policies. Compiles, analyzes, and presents data to senior officials for use in policy formulation and program decision-making. Provides analysis and advice and on all aspects of project and initiative development and oversight. Develops action plans to maximize USG capability and impact. Monitors the progress programs and advises on corrective action as required, in coordination with other specialized teams of subject matter experts. Provides policy expertise on related USG policy and facilitates communication between teams. 2. Establishes systematic methods of program execution, evaluation, and advocacy. Facilitates interagency meetings including all PTC partner agencies as appropriate. Independently handles meeting notes, presentations, and tracks follow-up as needed. Drafts and participates in the negotiation with Saudi officials of relevant bilateral agreements. Briefs Embassy Personnel, as required. 3. Within overall plans developed at higher levels, drafts analytical reports, correspondence, briefing materials, updates, and other documents. Develops general expertise in area of assigned responsibility by analyzing data received from various sources. Completes assigned research projects and program studies of increasing difficulty. Promotes the defined goals and objectives. 4. Assists U.S. Government agencies to draft agreements and documents consistent with program and Saudi requirements. Coordinates with the Washington Support Unit and tracks progress of Washington-based actions within assigned portfolio. Coordinates across the Department and interagency as appropriate, to ensure the completion and clearance of timely, well-prepared written products. 5. Researches, reviews, analyzes, interprets, and advises on developments affecting current or planned activities. Analyzes and recommends strategies to support the mission to enhance Saudi capacity in a variety of civilian security areas. Participates in interagency working groups and meetings and makes recommendations to these bodies and to management on new policies or approaches that will assist in achieving policy objectives. 6. Gathers, reviews, analyzes, interprets, and provides guidance on current developments on areas of current or potential cooperation. Develops briefing materials and coordinates efforts to inform stakeholders about key issues and possible new areas of cooperation. Engages, as directed, in preparing and reviewing public diplomacy and outreach materials. 7. Coordinates, drafts, and contributes to reporting and tracking of programs. Prepares presentations on activities for use by the leadership using a variety of software and data visualization tools. Drafts and contributes to agendas and preparatory memoranda program meetings. Organizes interagency and Embassy consultations for current and potential partners on visits to Saudi Arabia. Organizes senior level meetings and prepares the U.S. Program Director and senior Embassy officials for participation in the same. Performs other duties as assigned. Position Requirements Bachelor’s Degree* U.S. Citizenship Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State issued Medical Clearance Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral Ability to effectively work as a team in the resolution of conflicting views to promote cooperation and support for national security objectives Knowledge of the theories and principles of political science, international relations, economics, history, geography, or other related disciplines applied in analyzing and evaluating factors and conditions involved in the administration of U.S. foreign policy programs. Knowledge of basic U.S. foreign policy objectives and programs to identify and provide analyses of essential issues and developments in the assignment area. Knowledge of research and analytical methods to validate, evaluate, and interpret information obtained from a variety of sources. One year relevant specialized experience.** How to Apply Submit your most current resume, SF-50 if applicable, and transcripts *BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Have a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in international law, international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; OR Have completed at least 4 years of appropriate experience in one OR more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. Note: If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. IN ADDITION to the basic requirements, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position: • Experience advising on exchange programs and/or Foreign Policy. • Experience applying program and project management principles and techniques. • Experience serving as a project manager and primary point of contact for a project or program. **Applicants must also have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11/FS-05 level in the Federal Service, which provides the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.