Democracy Fund Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Sr. Program Officer (SME IV), Advancement of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (Full-time)
Location: U.S. Department of State Offices at 2201 C St NW, Washington DC (Harry S. Truman Building), or 2401 E Street NW, Washington DC (State Department Annex 1).
Clearance: Must be able to obtain/hold a Secret security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
Contracting Resources Group, Inc. (CRG) is a mid-sized woman-owned business supporting federal mission priorities through program execution, performance measurement, strategic communications, acquisition support, and digital transformation. Since 2002, CRG has provided high-quality solutions with a focus on reliability, agility, and operational excellence. We offer a collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, and have been recognized for our strong workplace culture through awards such as "Best Places to Work" and the Department of Labor's HireVets Platinum Medallion.
Description: CRG is seeking a full-time Sr. Program Officer to provide support to the Office of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. Department of State. The Subject Matter Expert shall be responsible for ensuring effective execution of program requirements: establishing systematic methods of program execution, evaluation, and advocacy; determining whether funding is warranted and available and assessing activities to determine funding requirements; analyzing program and budget proposals and presenting them to the State Department and interagency panels; preparing justification or recommendation memoranda for review and approval by appropriate officials; and providing follow-up problem-solving assistance, guideline interpretations, and technical consultations as required to applicants. The Subject Matter Expert assists with Departmental briefings to congressional staffers on these programs. The Contractor shall provide DRL leadership technical assistance throughout the federal assistance life-cycle that include pre-award, award, and post-award phases in grants and cooperative agreements.
The Subject Matter Expert represents and communicates DRL's program objectives to other State Department and U.S government offices involved in programming Democracy Fund and Human Rights and Democracy Funds (HRDF) and other transfer funding to include, but not be limited to, regional bureaus, Office of Global Acquisition, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget and Other regional and thematic offices. They liaise and consult on program administration, financial planning and acquisition of programming funds. The Contractor shall respond to Congressional requests for information regarding programs and DRL program objectives. The Contractor shall also provide information to the NGO community and other implementing organizations regarding the USG and DRL grants processes.
The Subject Matter Expert maintains, updates and develops as necessary systems for the efficient and accessible retrieval of documents regarding the allocation, notification, transfer and implementation of Democracy Fund, HRDF, transfer funding, and special Congressionally- mandated funds; and tracks the award of grants.
The Subject Matter Expert shall apply internal control measures to protect organizational integrity and prevent unauthorized use or misappropriation of sensitive and classified material; report instances of security violations/problems to the appropriate supervisory/management official; assume full responsibility for safeguarding all classified and sensitive (but unclassified) material and equipment in assignment area(s).
The Subject Matter Expert shall provide strategic guidance on sensitive human rights issue including working with private sector and other government donors. In coordination with the Program Analyst, this Contractor shall liaise with the Administration priority issues. The Subject Matter Expert shall engage with a high level public private partnership that requires skillful engagement with private and public sector.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• In coordination with the Program lead, develop strategies, and work with the Applied Learning and Evaluation team to develop portfolio specific evaluation indicators as needed.
• Work closely with Subject Matter Experts to ensure that program deadlines are being met in a timely and efficient matter.
• Coordinate with the Grants Officer Representative (GOR) in the administration and coordination of programs.
• Work directly with Program Lead and Deputy Directors to oversee program funding for assigned portfolio.
• Develop goals, objectives and programs for utilization of the foreign assistance funding.
• Collect grant documentation for review by decision-making panels who will select grant recipients within available funding levels.
• Liaise with offices involved in administration, financial planning and acquisition of program funding.
• Skillfully communicate verbally and in writing to provide briefings, status reviews, and advice upon request to the other DRL program staff and senior personnel on grant issues.
• Work on designated portfolio in ensure pre-award, award, and ongoing management and monitoring of programs globally.
• Monitoring grantee budget execution and drawdowns to ensure program objectives are met and are in accordance with 2 CFR 200.
• Negotiate program solicitation language with regional bureaus, Post leadership, and within DRL.
• Advise senior Bureau officials on development of goals, objectives and programs for utilization of foreign assistance funding.
• Remain informed on the changing political environment in the designated portfolio as well as global issues impacting the region by regularly meeting with grantees, human rights defenders, researchers, and other funders.
• Communicate DRL's program objectives to other State Department and U.S government offices involved in programming Democracy Fund and Human Rights and Democracy Funds (HRDF) and other transfer funding to include, but not be limited to, regional bureaus, Office of Global Acquisition, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget and The Office of Foreign Assistance.
• Coordinate with policy colleagues to prepare paper and brief DRL Bureau leadership for meetings on issues related to a specific region or thematic area.
• Prepare budget and programmatic reports that track grant obligation data and program successes for active grants.
• Review and provide analysis of program proposals to decision-making panels who will select grant recipients within available funding levels.
• Prepare responses to auditor inquiries on programs.
• Assist with responding to Congressional requests for information regarding programs and DRL program objectives.
• Attend stakeholder workshops and conferences on topics related to their duties and responsibilities, provide program monitoring and technical assistance to grantees, while supporting the FTE.
• Coordinate and assist the DRL Leadership in the administration and coordination of international human rights and democracy foreign assistance programs.
• Preferred candidates shall have demonstrated expertise and knowledge in the following regional or thematic areas: Western Hemisphere Affairs, South Central Asia, East-Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe. Near- Eastern Affairs, Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, Internet Freedom, International Religious Freedom, Gender, Marginalized Populations, Rapid Response, Security and Human Rights, Global Affairs Portfolio, Monitoring and Evaluations.

• Strategic Planning:
  • Provide strategic guidance on sensitive human rights issue including working with private sector and other government donors. In coordination with the Program Analyst, this position will liaise with the Administration priority issues.
  • Work with leadership to engage with and advance high level public private engagements.
  • Obtain and maintain expertise in programming and familiarity with the community including expertise in the Do No Harm principals. Work with DRL policy counterparts and outside stakeholders to strengthen the DRL portfolio.

• Communications
  • Develops communication strategies to disseminate new policy requirements to effectively streamline procedures in the Bureau.
  • Maintains documentation and audit trails of past plans, policies, and decision-making activities to provide for organizational continuity.

• Additional responsibilities may include:
  • Liaise with U.S. embassies and consulates regarding the award, management, and monitoring of grants.
  • Drafting reports and other documents for the team and program staff.
  • Drafting and clearing internal papers and memoranda regarding evaluations
  • Organize and participate in meetings, trainings, and/or conference events.
  • Undertake additional training to ensure they obtain relevant skills needed to advance U.S. policy and programming priorities and meet requirements of this SOW. Attend trainings or conferences to further knowledge in relations to duties and responsibilities listed above and/or hone expertise in regional or thematic area: Western Hemisphere Affairs, South Central Asia, East-Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe. Near- Eastern Affairs, Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, Labor, Internet Freedom, International Religious Freedom, Gender, Marginalized Populations, Rapid Response, Security and Human Rights, Global
    Affairs Portfolio, Monitoring and Evaluations.
  • As needed and as resources permit, the individual may be asked to directly support the travel of senior DRL, Regional Bureaus and Offices under the purview of the newly established F Bureau and U.S. Department of State officials and/or at the direction of and in coordination with the Grants Officer Representative and/or Grants Officer, conduct program monitoring visits at the project implementation site to monitor grantee activities.
  • Report on program activities monitored and analyze to support both the Grants Officer
    Representative and/or the Grants Officer in their evaluation of programs.

Requirements:

• The Contractor shall have knowledge of and experience in managing international programming in addition to relevant education and training, ideally with a strong understanding of domestic and foreign NGO administration.
• Understand the legal requirements of different types of foreign assistance funds.
• Strong knowledge of 2 CFR 200.
• Must be able to obtain security clearance.
• Experience working in professional, fast-paced and demanding environments.
• The ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Experience leading teams and ability to handle diverse work styles.

Education:

• Bachelors' degree with 12-15 years of experience or a master's degree with 8-10 years of
  or PhD with 5-7 years of work experience will be reviewed for position.

Benefits
Full-time employees are eligible for 401(k) and Roth retirement plans, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (for employees and families), Supplemental Insurance, 11 Federal Holidays, and at least three weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO), including sick and personal leave.
CRG is an equal opportunity employer. We make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business need. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other state or federally protected category.