Senior Nature Crimes Program Advisor

NATURE CRIMES  PROGRAM ADVISOR

The Nature Crimes Program Advisor will require a Secret Security Clearance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Nature Crimes Program Advisor will support and advance ECW’s program objectives related to international environmental priorities, including those identified by the National Security Council, including through technical interventions and initiatives to combat nature crimes and other practices which fuel transnational organized crime and increase zoonotic disease risk, as well as related efforts to improve nature conservation bilaterally, regionally and globally.

 Specific examples of work duties include:

• Provide assistance and guidance for nature crime and related programs throughout the foreign assistance funding cycle, including drafting and processing congressional notifications, solicitation and award processes, drafting implementation work plans, conducting award and agreement management, including through closeout;
• Maintain official award and agreement files for all assistance mechanisms commensurate with bureau and Department requirements, including proper documentation, reporting, communications, etc.
• Liaise with relevant Bureau, Mission, Department and interagency offices, as well as implementers and local and international stakeholders for program coordination and the management of nature crimes programs and initiatives, including combating wildlife trafficking and illegal logging and land conversion.
• Assist in organizing and coordinating interagency processes, including reports related to natures crimes including wildlife trafficking and illegal logging.
• Develop partnerships to advance U.S. interests on nature crimes with other DOS bureaus and offices, USAID, appropriate USG agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Draft memos or letters to principals within the Department, to other U.S. agencies, and to interested stakeholders.
• Provide expert advice regarding ECW contributions to Bureau strategic planning and performance reporting documents for ECW Conservation foreign assistance funding, including but not limited to, Operational Plans, Bureau Strategic Plans, Bureau Resource Requests, Performance and Planning Reports, and Congressional Budget Justifications.
• Determination of the content and application of policies and regulations is inherently governmental and must be performed by government employees.

To fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position, the contractor should have the following skills and background:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including follow-up on pending and ongoing tasks. 
• Ability to operate significantly under own initiative and as part of a team, including drafting proposals and recommending effective approaches to tasks with minimal guidance.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of actors within OES and with other Bureaus and offices within the Department of State, as well as with interagency and external partners.
• Working knowledge of the principles of program management and budgeting.  Federal experience in this area a plus, but not required.
• Understanding of the principles of U.S. foreign affairs including information sources, processes, and organizations, as well as initiatives to combat nature crimes, including wildlife trafficking and illegal logging and land conversion.
• Skill in written and oral communication to prepare materials, present analyses, provide guidance, solicit information, and defend proposals.
• Ability to think strategically and practically to achieve organizational objectives.
• Ability to function as part of a team as well as work independently.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Have a bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in international law, international relations, political science, economics, natural sciences, wildlife management, or other relevant fields. Further graduate education in the same and similar fields will be viewed favorably.
• At least 2 years of specialized experience using the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position