Senior Specialist, International Affairs Programs

Do you thrive at the intersection of international affairs national security strategy and program leadership Are you an experienced international affairs professional who can independently lead complex initiatives advise senior leaders and coordinate across federal agencies and international partners

Avid Core is seeking a Senior Specialist International Affairs Programs to support U.S. Customs and Border Protections Office of International Affairs (INA). This position will provide senior-level program management strategic planning analysis and advisory support across a diverse portfolio of international programs and organizational initiatives.

The successful candidate will be an experienced international affairs professional who can operate independently in a complex federal environment translate strategic priorities into executable programs build consensus across organizations and develop recommendations and decision-quality products for senior leadership.

To Apply: Submit resumes and cover letters through this posting.

Candidates from all backgrounds are welcome to apply for our open positions and to join our bench of talented professionals.

Salary Range: $80000 - $120000

Overall Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage complex international programs initiatives and projects from concept and strategic planning through execution monitoring evaluation and closeout.
• Provide strategic and programmatic advice to INA leadership on international programs emerging requirements organizational priorities and opportunities for improved mission effectiveness.
• Translate senior leadership priorities and broader CBP and DHS objectives into actionable strategies implementation plans milestones performance measures and deliverables.
• Lead coordination across CBP offices DHS components the Department of State other U.S. Government agencies U.S. embassies and external stakeholders as required.
• Develop and assess international strategies policies programs work plans and organizational initiatives.
• Lead or facilitate cross-functional working groups governance bodies program reviews strategic planning sessions and interagency forums.
• Assess complex international policy operational and organizational issues and develop practical recommendations and courses of action for senior leadership.
• Monitor program performance schedules resources risks dependencies and outcomes and proactively identify issues requiring leadership attention or intervention.
• Develop executive-level briefings decision memoranda talking points presentations strategy documents reports background papers and other high-visibility products.
• Provide senior-level support for international engagements bilateral and multilateral meetings foreign delegations conferences and other mission activities.
• Coordinate with program managers and subject-matter experts to develop requirements budgets work plans justifications performance measures and program documentation.
• Support the planning and management of international capacity-building technical assistance training assessment and foreign-partner engagement initiatives.
• Analyze program data and performance information to assess effectiveness identify trends and gaps and recommend changes to strategy resources or program execution.
• Anticipate and respond to senior leadership inquiries executive-level data calls audits reviews and other high-priority requirements.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with senior government officials program managers interagency partners subject-matter experts and other stakeholders.
• Identify and lead improvements to program management processes governance structures information sharing performance management and organizational effectiveness.
• Provide quality assurance and substantive review of analytical and programmatic products developed by other team members.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior and mid-level analysts and contribute to effective workload management and team performance.
• Maintain awareness of evolving U.S. foreign policy homeland security border security law enforcement and international cooperation priorities and assess implications for INA programs.
• Independently manage emerging and ambiguous requirements and provide surge leadership as INA priorities evolve.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Previous experience supporting CBP DHS the Department of State USAID the Department of Defense or another U.S. Government organization with a significant international mission.
• Experience supporting CBPs Office of International Affairs or comparable international programs.
• Knowledge of international border security customs immigration trade transnational organized crime counter-narcotics law enforcement cooperation or international capacity-building programs.
• Experience managing international assistance capacity-building training technical assistance foreign engagement or overseas programs.
• Experience coordinating with the Department of State U.S. embassies foreign governments international organizations or other interagency partners.
• Experience developing international strategies country or regional plans program work plans budgets resource justifications and performance frameworks.
• Experience with Interagency Agreements (IAAs) federal funding mechanisms or programs involving resources transferred or coordinated among U.S. Government agencies.
• Experience with executive secretariat functions governance policy development or senior-level decision support.
• Familiarity with federal budgeting acquisition performance measurement monitoring and evaluation and resource planning.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or another relevant program/project management certification is preferred.
• A Top Secret clearance or current CBP clearance/suitability is strongly preferred. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain the clearance and suitability required by the customer.
• Significant professional experience leading or managing complex programs portfolios or initiatives in international affairs national security homeland security foreign affairs law enforcement international development or a related environment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage programs involving multiple organizations stakeholders workstreams and competing priorities.
• Experience advising senior government officials or executives and developing recommendations for leadership decision-making.
• Strong understanding of federal program management strategic planning governance performance management and organizational processes.
• Demonstrated ability to translate broad strategic objectives into actionable plans requirements milestones and measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to structure ambiguous problems evaluate alternatives and recommend practical courses of action.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience preparing executive-level briefings memoranda presentations reports and decision materials.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder-management skills with experience building consensus across organizational boundaries.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment anticipate requirements and successfully manage assignments with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple high-priority requirements and deadlines in a fast-paced federal or mission-oriented environment.
• Ability to provide substantive guidance mentoring and quality assurance to other analysts.

Were looking for someone who is:

• A versatile international affairs generalist who can move effectively among program management analysis governance stakeholder engagement and executive support.
• Intellectually curious and able to quickly learn new subject areas while maintaining a strong focus on execution.
• Organized responsive and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a changing mission environment.
• Comfortable working through ambiguity and translating complex issues into clear practical recommendations.
• A strong communicator who can develop concise products and engage professionally with program managers subject-matter experts senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Proactive adaptable solutions-oriented and willing to step into new priorities as mission needs evolve.
• Reliable accountable and able to take ownership of assignments with limited supervision.
• Collaborative and customer-service oriented with sound judgment and a commitment to timely follow-through.

Education:

Bachelors degree in international affairs international relations political science public policy public administration national security business or a related field required.

A masters degree in international affairs international relations public policy public administration national security business administration or a related discipline is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant professional experience may be considered.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Vision dental and short-term and long-term disability
• 401K with employer match (after six months of employment)
• Federal and non-federal paid holidays
• Flexible paid time off
• Generous bonus program based on firm and individual performance
• An opportunity to learn and grow in an inclusive and supportive environment with a fun team

Location:

The position is based in Washington D.C. and the National Capital Region. Candidates may be expected to work in person with any opportunities for remote work based on client needs.

Candidates will be provided with a computer; however they must have a steady internet connection.

Accommodation:

Avid Core is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment we provide reasonable accommodation as needed. Contact to request an accommodation to participate in the job application and/or interview process.

Avid Core is an award-winning small woman-owned business headquartered in Northern Virginia with employees throughout the Washington D.C. metro area. We provide effective professional services and communications support to public and private sector clients.

Avid Core is an equal-opportunity employer and operates a drug-free workplace.

Required Experience:

Manager