Program Assistant 4 (SAO/AC)

PROGRAM ASSISTANT (SAO/AC) - SOW

The Program Assistant (PA) shall provide programmatic and budgetary analysis support for the budget formulation of INL programs, incorporating planning elements related to the Department's relevant budget management procedures, strategic documents, metrics and performance measures in the budget formulation exercise.

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) keep 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.

The INL, Office of Security Assistance and Operations, Assistance Coordination division is responsible for managing the budget planning, formulation, and funds control functions of INL's program operations domestically and abroad.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports INL officials in coordinating policy issues relating to portfolio.
• Aid in managing program budget formulation; analyze budget proposals and assists with preparing justifications and memoranda for presentations to Department leadership, OMB, and Congress.
• Aid in evaluating program effectiveness in relation to the funding expended for programs.
• Aids in drafting briefing papers, talking points, and presentations for management review and use.
• Aids in office outreach projects by traveling to relevant countries and conducting logistical support for others.
• Manages program files and records, tracks reports.
• Coordinate and lead meetings as necessary with INL internal and external officers.
• Research materials as required to compile information, reports, and statistical information regarding the supported program.
• Performs administrative duties when required to support program requirements.
• Assist with determining the status of funds for the Bureau, and other funds control duties.
• Determine if funds can be de-obligated and/or reclassified/reprogrammed. The contractor shall determine the type, country, purpose, and status of obligations, points of contact, and supporting documentation. The contractor shall determine which obligations are available for either de-obligation or reclassification/reprogramming.
• The contractor should run data reports for specific accounting data and fiscal years; create spreadsheets or databases for future reference and formulated use (Pivot tables, XLOOKUP formulas cross-walking future reports to past reports). The contractor shall identify the benefiting country or program.
• The contractor shall determine the original funding to include analyzing and tracking approved apportionments, researching electronic or paper files and coordinating with other Department offices to acquire necessary information. The contractor shall create a spreadsheet presentation, which provides beginning funding, amounts that have been obligated, expended, de-obligated, reclassified, reprogrammed, transferred, and remaining balances.
• Respond timely to requests for information regarding the reconciliation of agreements, amendments, and reprogramming of funds and track all pertinent information relating to these activities in established Department-wide financial system and Excel spreadsheet logs.
• Provide financial guidance to program officers and project managers, as well as to staff in program countries, as appropriate. Provide advice and assistance to other staff members, and senior managers on financial management and processing problems or issues. Develop and/or recommend the modification of methods and techniques to resolve accounting or auditing problems and explain such changes to all staff members, and overseas posts when appropriate, to ensure their awareness of and familiarity with such procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• U.S. Citizen or legal U.S. resident
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Six to ten years' experience in relevant field
• Demonstrated ability to work on projects and issues within overall policy guidelines
• Demonstrated skilled in oral and written communication, sufficient to draft action and info memos, congressional testimony, press guidance and congressional and general correspondence
• Knowledge of international narcotics and law enforcement issues
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal budget processes, regulations, and reporting requirements
• Proven ability to analyze complex financial data and prepare clear, concise budget reports and recommendations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present budgetary information to diverse audiences
• Experience in budget execution, to include analysis of budget execution reports produced by the Department's financial management system, and data repositories

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience reviewing and negotiating foreign assistance letters of agreement, grants, and contracts
• Demonstrated experience formulating foreign assistance budgets
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Finance, Economic Resources, Statistics, or a closely related field
• Minimum of six (6) years of professional experience working for the federal government in a budget sector. Experience must demonstrate progressively responsible duties in budget formulation, execution, and analysis within a federal agency or department

LEVEL OF EFFORT

Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of the Department of State in Washington, DC: Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week per day core hours 9:00 - 3:00 PM.

TELEWORK

If applicable, telework is authorized only with prior INL Office Director, Contracting Officer, and Contracting Officer's Representative approval, in accordance with Department of State and INL policies.

SUPPLEMENTAL HOURS

Supplemental hours are authorized in accordance with the award and shall not exceed the designated ceiling.

POSITION LOCATION:

The physical work location is INL/ AME office within State Annex 1 (SA-01), Columbia Plaza, 2401 E Street NW, Washington, DC.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

DOS will provide office space, computers, phones, and other required equipment and supplies necessary to complete all job requirements. DOS will own and maintain all government furnished property.

CLEARANCE:

A Secret security clearance is required for this position; work may begin with an interim Secret security clearance.

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. This training does 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.

USGI offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, 401(k) plan with company match, plus generous PTO offerings to include vacation/sick days, bereavement leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays. USGI is an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.