Ukraine Program Advisor

The Celestar Corporation has been issued an IMMEDIATE Task Order to provide support to the Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). As a result, we’re looking for a Program Advisor - Ukraine who will be seated in Washington, DC. If interested and qualified, we welcome you to post for this challenging opportunity.

SECURITY CLEARANCE : A Top-Secret security clearance is required for this position; however, the Advisor can begin work with an interim Top Secret clearance.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE : One (1) Year from the Date of Award with the potential for four (4) follow-on Option Years.

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world. The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) keeps Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. INL’s Office of Europe and Asia (INL/EA) develops, manages, and oversees USG foreign assistance programs to support comprehensive criminal justice sector capacity development in countries throughout Europe and Asia. The office is comprised of approximately sixty staff members including Foreign Service Officers, Civil Service Officers, a Personal Services Contractor, and Third-Party Contractors.

POSITION DESCRIPTION 
Under this BPA call, the Program Advisor will serve on the nine-person INL Ukraine Team, providing support to program officers, the Ukraine Support Unit at Embassy Berlin, and the Embassy Kyiv INL section. This position will report to the Ukraine Strategic Management Officer or their designee. One of two team members focused on management issues, this position serves as our audit coordinator with the Government Accountability Office and Office of the Inspector General. They also support Embassy Kyiv efforts to conduct end use monitoring of an inventory of 144,000 items and growing, as well as contribute to managing the $500M procurement portfolio, among other duties listed below in the “duties and responsibilities” section. This position also supports efforts to move equipment from the United States to Poland via charter flights. Travel opportunities include Poland, Germany, and Ukraine.

LEVEL OF EFFORT
Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of the Department of State: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day. The level of effort for this position is equivalent to Program Advisor/Specialist Level 3.

TELEWORK
This is a hybrid position that allows for a combination of in-office presence and regular telework. This specific position’s maximum telework is 40% which would require the Third Party Contractor to report to the work location six (06) times per pay period. The incumbent’s actual in-office and telework schedule will be determined by the COR and CO, based on INL policy of the total numbers per pay period/week, and is subject to change.

SUPPLEMENTAL HOURS 
Supplemental hours for this position are authorized in accordance with the award and shall not exceed the designated ceiling.

LOCATION
The physical work location is INL/EA’s office at State Annex 1, Columbia Plaza, 2401 E Street, NW, Washington, DC.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT
DOS will provide office space, computer, phone, and other required equipment and supplies necessary to complete all job requirements. DOS will own and maintain all government furnished property.

TRAVEL
Travel is authorized for this position in accordance with the award and shall not exceed the designated ceiling.

TRAINING
This BPA Call provides for mandatory training for DOS-specific equipment, systems, and processes (reference 13 FAM 300 Agency Mandated Training), which shall be completed promptly and in accordance with Department policy. These trainings do not require INL Contracting Officer (CO) approval.
Travel related training (i.e., FACT (CT650), HTSOS-C etc.), may be required, if applicable. The Contractor’s Program Manager (PM) shall coordinate with INL/EX/GAPP to determine if applicable and if INL (CO)’s approval is required prior. All other training requires INL CO approval.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Ukraine Team and INL Kyiv to coordinate responses to inquiries from the oversight and audit community, with a particular focus on liaising with INL/EX/MCO, the Office of Inspector General, and Government Accountability Office.
• Support the Ukraine Team to conduct monitoring and evaluation on Ukraine program activities, with a focus on collecting data for outcome and output monitoring.
• Support and advise the INL/EA Ukraine Team to enable effective program funding on INL implementing mechanisms for INL Ukraine programs.
• Provide assistance and guidance to INL/EA Ukraine Team Lead in coordinating and planning aspects of activities in Europe.
• Utilize subject matter expertise and aid in drafting a variety of technical, programmatic, funding, and informational memoranda and letters.
• Provide input to the Ukraine Team as a subject matter expert regarding Congressional testimony or responses to questions, press guidance, and interagency bilateral and multilateral agreements in accordance with Department policies and regulations and relevant legislation.
• Conduct research and make recommendations to Ukraine Team regarding program management.
• Review and analyze policy and programmatic documents and make recommendations based on findings to Ukraine Team and INL/EA leadership.
• Aid in conducting program reviews and assessments of new and ongoing programs and make recommendations to Ukraine Team and INL/EA leadership based on findings.
• Assist in strategic planning for INL Ukraine programs.
• Aid in reviewing budgets and providing program estimates, evaluate program effectiveness in relation to the funding expended, and aid in assessing USG law enforcement and rule of law assistance activities to determine funding requirements and whether funding is warranted and available.
• Work closely with INL/EX budget staff to aid INL/EA Ukraine staff in monitoring financial plan executions as well as assisting in the oversight of budgets, pipeline, and control of funds by appropriation and program.
• Aid in compiling and analyzing program and budget data to assist INL/EA Ukraine Team staff in tracking program execution, financial planning, and analysis.
• Aid in coordinating with INL/EX, in conjunction with INL/EA and INL’s overseas offices in Ukraine on technical requirements for program and procurement-related documentation (e.g., technical specifications, information, and level of detail for statements of work and funding sources).
• Track and monitor implementation documents/mechanisms and obligations/sub-obligations submitted by (or involving) INL/EA Ukraine staff, in coordination with INL/EX, including interagency agreements, bilateral and international organization letter of agreements, grants and contracts, among others.
• Assist in INL/EA Ukraine acquisition planning, to include conducting market research, developing inputs for government cost estimates, and drafting statement of work and other pre-award contract documents.

• Assist in INL/EA acquisition source selection, to include preparing a technical evaluation and other associated documentation and participating as a technical advisor to a source selection evaluation board or as a non-voting member of source selection evaluation board.
• Provide assistance to INL/EA Ukraine staff and as required, posts overseas on all aspects of program management, financial planning, analysis, spend plans, and execution.
• Assist INL/EA Ukraine staff with the development, analysis, and execution of programs, and track execution of programs with regard to resource availability and flexibility within country and regional program accounts.
• Support INL/EA Ukraine staff with the coordination of programmatic and budgetary justifications and responses to congressional and oversight committees, including OMB, Department, Bureau, and Embassy offices with INL/EX.
• Assist INL/EA Ukraine staff in ensuring that (1) effective internal controls are in place and adhered to in order to protect the integrity of the organization and to prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement; and (2) resources are allocated efficiently, equitably, and in conformance with established policy and regulations.
• Analyze a large number of financial, program planning, bilateral, and program evaluation documents for standard and ad hoc reports, as needed.
• Provide general administrative and programmatic support to the INL/EA Ukraine Team, including but not limited to assembling briefing books, drafting reports and updates, serving as control officer, and scheduling meetings.
• Work closely with INL Ukraine Team program office staff and U.S. stakeholders at U.S. embassies overseas and other U.S. federal agencies to provide support on implementing agreements policy and procedures.
• Assist INL/EA in developing systems and methods to track program execution within interagency agreements, bilateral and international organization letter of agreements, grants, and contracts, among others; support liaison efforts within INL, other government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• U.S. Citizen;
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
• Four to six years’ experience in working in relevant field (i.e., international affairs and/or criminal justice);
• Demonstrated knowledge of specific country issues, including specialized knowledge of international narcotics and law enforcement foreign assistance programs or similar type programs sufficient to ensure project work is in compliance with management policies and procedures and in conformance with the Foreign Assistance Act and other regulatory procedures and guidelines;
o Note: operational law enforcement experience alone is not sufficient to meet this minimum qualification.
• Proven knowledge of Federal policies and procedures including methods of providing assistance and the Federal budget process; ;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of players;

• Demonstrated ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation with regard to the interpretation and application of analysis, preferably on issues relating to international criminal justice and law enforcement affairs;
• Experience drafting U.S. government reports and documents or the equivalent, such as the INCSR, embassy cables, and other documents.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Demonstrated knowledge of Eastern European issues.
• A minimum of three (03) years of professional experience related to international criminal justice and law enforcement programs, including U.S. diplomatic initiatives to support capacity building in foreign partner governments.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with auditors.
• A minimum of (05) years of experience with State Department and U.S. interagency coordination.
• Demonstrated significant expert knowledge of U.S. criminal justice and law enforcement policy and programs.

IMPORTANT NOTE : This is a Best Athlete Selection Process With this in mind, please ensure that the required and/or desired experience is reflected on your resume to receive fair and competitive consideration.

Come onboard with a company that Values its Employees

Celestar, a Veteran Owned Company, is Very Competitive with Salaries and Benefits. As an example, we offer Company Paid Benefits that include Employee and Family Dental Insurance, Employee Health Insurance, Life Insurance and Disability Insurance as well. We also offer a 401k retirement company match, paid Holidays and Personal Time Off.

Celestar is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, disability status, gender identity or national origin.