Integrated Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S. based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over 100 countries and implemented over 300 projects. IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies, and several donor agencies. IBTCI specializes in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and institutional support across many areas and sectors including, but not limited to, conflict and crisis, democracy and governance, agriculture, economic growth, food security, education, environment, and global health.
Assignment Title: Security Assistance Coordinator (Mid-Level)
Department/Location: Washington, DC
Technical Point of Contact: Project Director
Type: Full-time
Required Security Clearance: U.S. Citizenship. Active Secret-level clearance.
Overview: IBTCI has been awarded a task order by the U.S. Department of State (DOS)/Office of Security Assistance (PM/SA) for global security oversight. To support this task order, IBTCI is seeking a Security Assistance Coordinator (Mid-Level)to support the Office of Security Assistance (PM/SA). PM/SA oversees U.S. foreign assistance programs aimed at building partner military capacity to advance U.S. foreign policy. The Office currently manages three security assistance accounts: Foreign Military Financing (FMF), International Military Education and Training (IMET), and the National Security Engagement Account (NSEA) (formerly Peacekeeping Operations (PKO)). Additionally, the Office provides concurrence authority for the U.S. Department of War (DOW)’s security assistance programs under U.S.C. Title 10 (“Title 10 programs”). The PM Bureau’s need to provide consistent oversight of U.S. security assistance programs is vital. In a context of scarce resources, the need to demonstrate clear alignment with U.S. Foreign policy through effective program management is paramount.
General Duties and Responsibilities: Security Assistance Coordinators are responsible for security assistance programming. A distinction between the junior-level and mid-level Coordinators may include the size of the assigned portfolio or the extent of responsibility of that portfolio (exercising a lead role vice a supporting or assisting role). Coordinators shall be responsible for reviewing and coordinating various funding case development documents (LOR, LOA, etc.), tracking security assistance expenditure data, providing data for congressional briefs and reports, coordinating within PM, other State bureaus, and the Department of War) on the obligation, expenditure and management of the security assistance programs, and other documents necessary to the effective management of the security assistance accounts. This may include drafting funding memos (allocations, allotments, apportionments, reclassifications, congressional notifications, etc.), tracking obligation and expenditure data, providing data for briefings and Congressional reports, drafting documents to obligate funds, coordinating within PM and U.S. Department of State regional bureaus and the Department of War, and other regional or functional bureaus as needed on the obligation, expenditure and management of account programs, and other documents necessary to the effective management of their portfolio. Coordinators shall also liaison with counterparts at State (relevant regional bureaus, EX, BP, OMB, L and DSCA) and shall support PM/SA participation in relevant Financial Management Reviews and other meetings. If assigned to a portfolio that handles Title 10 coordination, these Coordinators would manage U.S. Department of State concurrence with over $3 billion in U.S. Department of War (DOW) security cooperation authorities (e.g., International Security Cooperation Program-funded authorities sections 332, 333, and 1263 and other temporary authorities) requiring signoff from senior Department of State leadership. Security Assistance Coordinators shall:
- Provide program analysis and develop and coordinate both functional subject matter and geographic area for security assistance accounts.
- Develop program options, negotiate, and integrate contributions from various Departmental offices as well as other USG agencies.
- Performs various analyses, including but not limited to strategic planning and forecasting, program design, and metrics and performance monitoring expected results (i.e., deliveries, training schedules), to support policy-making officials and ensure implementation of their decisions.
- Draft and coordinate, as necessary, a variety of documents such as analytical reports; briefing materials, decision, and information memoranda; emails; congressional letters; standard operating procedures; escalation justifications; and other communications on matters relating to the area(s) of assignment.
- Provide information on Foreign Military Sales (FMS), arms transfers, and security assistance, as well as administrative practices and/or other relevant policy areas.
- Maintain current knowledge in foreign policy, industrial and technological advances as related to his/her assigned responsibilities, and other commodities outside of his/her assigned responsibilities.
- Liaise with interagency counterparts, military service components, and program offices to coordinate on security assistance-funded programs.
- Provide administrative and logistics support for intradepartmental and interagency events (e.g., Joint Security Sector Assistance Review (JSSAR)), including recurring synchronization meetings to deconflict and align State and DoW budgets and programs in the area of responsibility.
- Support regular meetings with Military Groups (MilGrps) and others from DoW and State that support or have a role in managing the FMF and IMET programs.
- Support data management requirements, including tracking the status of all relevant FMF-funded FMS cases for the respective regional portfolio.
- Support to coordinate and deconflicting multi-billion-dollar security assistance accounts with DoW counterparts and DoW-managed security cooperation activities.
- Supports PM/SA program officers, as necessary, with data collection, analysis, and reporting of State and DoW country program activities for a variety of briefings and products using current data management systems and make recommendations to program officers to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of security sector assistance coordination measures, and implement improvements as directed.
- Maintain accurate budget data over multiple fiscal years on appropriations, obligations, and expenditures of foreign assistance accounts managed by PM/SA through working with key stakeholders within regional bureaus, PM, DoW and other entities, as necessary.
- Draft and coordinate clearance and approval of various budget documents related to the obligation, apportionment, reclassification, de-obligation and allotment of funds. Examples of documents include, but are not limited to Action Memos, Congressional Notifications (CN), Interagency Agreements (IAA), Financial Trackers, Allotment memos, Apportionment memos, Reclassification Memos, Memorandum of Requests (MORs), spend plans and other documents to ensure the timely obligation, management and execution of funding.
- Draft and coordinate clearance and approval for other documents related to the management of the respective account and programs such as procurement waivers and section 505 end use, security and retransfer assurance agreements that include relevant PM/SA programs.
- Assist in compiling and analyzing program budget data to assist PM/SA in tracking program execution, financial planning, analysis, and responding to Department and Congressional reports, questions regarding CNs, other inquiries and requirements.
- Compile, in coordination with PM/EX, PM/SA’s responses to program budget requests for information in the Department, as well as from OMB, Congress, the audit community and others.
- Support PM/SA program officers with technical requirements for procurement-related documentation (e.g., technical specifications, information, and level of detail for statements of work and funding sources).
- Assist PM/SA program officers to manage funds obligated to DoW and other interagency partners. This will include coordination with various elements of the Department of War and other interagency partners to include, but not limited to, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Navy, Air Force, Army, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, geographic combatant commands, the Offices of Security Cooperation (or equivalent) at Embassies, and other elements with State and DoW, as necessary.
- Work closely with PM/EX and regional bureau EX (as applicable) on financial reporting and assists the PM/SA team in responding to various oversight and auditing entities, including the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Office of Inspector General (OIG), press, Congressional and other inquiries.
- Review/update for PM/SA approval funding standard operating procedure documents on PKO/NSEA management processes to confirm they are in alignment with U.S. Government, Department, and Bureau financial policies and legal requirements
- Provide support for program and financial management reviews within the Department of State and with DoW.
- Monitor and provide recurring reports on program obligation and expenditures and flag issues for PM/SA attention.
- Reconcile financial reports from DSCA, Combatant Commands and update PM records monthly.
- Develop account financial briefs for program planning conferences, as well as other security assistance/cooperation and related conferences.
- Draft and coordinate interdepartmental memoranda pertaining to Department of State concurrence with DoW security cooperation programs – including coordination, deconfliction, and oversight of legal, policy, and programmatic issues.
- Liaise with Department of State stakeholders to review and approve proposed DoD security cooperation activities and to deconflict those activities with Department of State-funded programs and activities.
- Liaise with Department of War stakeholders to facilitate resolution to regional and functional policy issues, and engaging on related legislative processes
- Additional responsibilities include conducting desk-based research and analysis, and coordinating and participating at meetings with senior leaders, developing and leveraging deep subject matter expertise on multiple security cooperation authorities, and ensuring all activities adhere to applicable authorities including the Foreign Assistance Act, the Arms Export Control Act, and White House directives.
- Engage with legislative processes including reviewing legislative proposals from DoW, tracking annual legislation, amendments, etc.
- Support annual planning and coordination for the Joint Security Sector Assistance Review, Financial Management Reviews, and Security Cooperation Education and Training Working Group (SCETWG).
- Coordinate daily management of Security Sector Assistance (SSA) program actions, tracking funding execution and program milestones across FMF, IMET, PKO/NSEA, and related accounts.
Minimum Education/Experience:
- BA/BS in international relations, political science, economics, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Two (2) years of experience managing budget and fiscal processes for foreign assistance programs.
- Two (2) years of experience working/coordinating with the Department of State and/or U.S. Department of War.
- At least four years (4) experience with, and in-depth knowledge of, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
- Experience providing timely narrative and data-driven responses to requests for information or reporting requests.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple ongoing tasks and processes simultaneously.
- Strong oral and written communication skills with experience presenting complex information.
- At least two (2) years of experience coordinating. managing and/or developing FMS programs, either at the Military Department, SCO, Combatant Command or its components, and/or program office level.
Preferred Experience:
- Prior experience working with the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of War.
- Master’s degree in international relations, political science, economics, or a related field.
- Two years (2) of experience using the Security Cooperation Information Portal (SCIP), the DoW Security Assistance Network (SanWeb), or the DoW’s system of record for security cooperation SOCIUM.
- Prior attendance at a security cooperation course at Defense Security Cooperation University or its predecessor, the Defense Institute for Security Assistance Management, or equivalent work experience. In this case, equivalent work experience is at least five years developing or managing FMS programs.
- Experience with USG financial management systems such as State’s Global Financial Management System (GFMS) or DoW’s Defense Security Assistance Management System (DSAMS).
- Familiarity with Title 10 authorities and programs, such as Section 333, 331, or 1263 and other U.S. security assistance processes and procedures.
- Experience with advanced analytic tools such as Alteryx, Tableau, and PowerBI.
Required Security Clearance: U.S. Citizenship. Active Secret-level clearance. A Secret security clearance is required for this position; however, an individual may begin work with an interim Secret security clearance.
Work environment: This position will be based in Washington, DC. In some cases, remote work arrangements could be authorized.
Working Days and Hours: This position will be based in Washington, DC. Regular hours for the positions will be the regular hours for the Washington, DC metropolitan area, 8:15 am – 5:00 pm EST; however, positions may be permitted to work alternative work schedules (AWS) as needed and approved, while adhering to the PM Bureau’s core hours, currently 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and in-person requirements for PM/SA. Working schedules must be approved and must comply with all applicable access and security requirements of the facility where the work is performed.
Physical Requirements: This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 20 lbs.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position has supervisory responsibilities.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required.
Pay Transparency Statement: We are dedicated to ensuring a thoughtful, compliant, and equitable approach to employment compensation. Our commitment includes conducting a comprehensive salary analysis that considers individual skill sets, qualifications, business needs, internal compensation data, and industry and labor market surveys. The anticipated pay range for this position is $115,000 to $130,000.
Benefits (Applicable to Employees only, eligibility may vary for part-time employees):
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- Holidays
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- 401K Retirement Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
IBTCI is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. This means that IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex (gender and gender identity), sexual orientation, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disabled status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws. We prohibit discrimination and harassment in all employment practices and decisions, and we comply with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws.
If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability, or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected].
