Program Manager I

About the role

The Program Manager for the Office of Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) is located in the Special Programs Division/Special Program for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPD/SPEAR). This role is responsible for planning and facilitating a comprehensive program of antiterrorism seminars, training courses, and consultations for senior foreign law enforcement officials in an assigned country or region. Programs vary in scope and complexity, often requiring interaction with senior members of the foreign and domestic law enforcement and security community in the U.S. and worldwide. The position reports to a SPEAR Regional Section Chief and may oversee subordinate Resident and Deputy Resident Program Managers and/or Mentors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development, design, and implementation of comprehensive, country-specific and/or regional antiterrorism assistance programs.
• Coordinate with various ATA divisions and other offices to identify requirements, needed training activities, and equipment.
• Conceptualize desired program outcomes in alignment with overall country and regional policy goals.
• Oversee ATA teams assigned in Partner Nations (PN) to ensure efficient delivery of antiterrorism assistance that meets the needs of the PN, ATA, Department of State (DOS), and Federal statutes.
• Manage personnel, budgets, and resources, including auditing for countries with ATA-sponsored training camps.
• Handle in-country staff human resource and administrative issues, review work for quality and adherence to laws and policies, evaluate performance, and take remedial actions when necessary.
• Regularly audit country expenses, cash accounts, and ATA expenses.
• Assist in identifying and developing new antiterrorism requirements, training trends, and recurring training needs.
• Play a direct role in security contingency planning, collaborating with the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office and other agencies to identify potential security threats to ATA personnel.
• Serve as an alternate Program Manager for another country/region as designated by the Section Chief.
• Prioritize budget expenditures and allocation of funds, providing justification for retention of funds when necessary.
• Coordinate activities of other ATA USG contractors to ensure ATA and DOS goals are accomplished.
• Identify staffing requirements, work with TMD management and ATA contract providers to fill positions, and prepare position descriptions.
• Prepare written and oral briefings, assessments, and status reports for Congress, ATA, DOS, U.S. Embassy personnel, and other USG agencies.
• Ensure documentation of sensitive or important issues according to ATA/SPD/SPEAR and DOS policies.
• Maintain open communication with the Regional Security Office and other U.S. Embassy entities affected by the programs.
• Monitor political, social, cultural, or economic issues in the U.S. and abroad that could influence the in-country program.
• Review and draft cables, correspondence, and reports; ensure timely completion and submission of required forms and compliance with internal control systems.
• Cooperate with representatives from other ATA, DOS components, federal, state, local, and international agencies, and non-government agencies.
• Initiate and maintain relevant contacts, resolve conflicts, and keep the Section Chief informed as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other agencies, ATA/SPD/SPEAR employees, and all levels of management.
• Interact and consult with PN officials, preferably in the primary language of the PN, to discuss strategic matters involving the in-country program.
• Communicate ATA/SPD/SPEAR, DOS, and U.S. Embassy guidance and policies effectively to promote ATA programs.
• Safeguard sensitive and classified materials and equipment in accordance with Federal, DOS, and ATA/SPD/SPEAR laws and policies.
• Prepare annual program budgets and ensure judicious expenditure of USG funds in accordance with regulations.
• Review and recommend approval of expenses, ensuring assigned accounts have sufficient funds and providing justification for expenditures.
• Regularly audit all assigned USG expenses and ATA/SPD/SPEAR-issued equipment as required by law or policy.
• Secure venues and instructional providers based on existing contracts or initiate new contracting vehicles as needed.
• Evaluate training and consultative projects post-completion to assess content quality and student satisfaction.
• Maintain extensive senior-level contacts in Federal, state, and local law enforcement circles.
• Perform administrative duties, including budget monitoring, presentation production, coordination of administrative escort/interpretation, and resolution of student-related issues.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen and possess or be able to obtain/maintain a SECRET clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree is preferred but not mandatory.
• Experience as a Regional Security Officer or other senior law enforcement-related assignment involving senior-level foreign officials is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel to developing countries and hazardous environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Project Management software.
• Previous training or experience with the Department of State’s SMART system is preferred but not mandatory.
• Experience in law enforcement training is preferred but not mandatory.

Pay

$160,000 to $163,104