Program Officer (SME III), Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

Job Title: Program Officer (SME III), Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

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 Program Officer III to provide support for Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the U.S. Department of State. The Program Officer will 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 Program Officer will provide leadership technical assistance throughout the federal assistance life cycle that includes pre-award, award, and post-award phases in grants and cooperative agreements. The Program Officer will also assist with Departmental briefings to congressional staffers on these programs.

Job Duties

In coordination with the team 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 Expert I and II 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 Team 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.

Skillfully communicate verbally and in writing to provide briefings, status reviews, and advice upon request to the other program staff and senior personnel on grant issues.

Work on designated portfolio to ensure pre-award, award, and ongoing management and monitoring of programs globally. Monitor 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 the Office.

Advise senior leadership 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 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 Acquisitions Management, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget.

Coordinate with policy colleagues to prepare papers 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.

Assist in the coordination of foreign assistance funding throughout the federal assistance life cycle that include pre-award, award and post-award phases in grants and cooperative agreements.

Coordinate and assist the Leadership in the administration and coordination of international human rights and democracy foreign assistance programs.

Qualifications

Experience working with projects in closed or closing democratic spaces will be considered highly competitive.

Strong knowledge of 2 CFR 200.

Experience working in professional, fast paced, and demanding environments.

Ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision.

Experience leading teams and ability to handle diverse work styles.

Must 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.

Understanding of the legal requirements of different types of foreign assistance funds.

Bachelor’s degree with 10-12 years of experience or a master’s degree with 8-10 years of experience or a PhD with 5-7 years of experience.

Salary Range $115,000-$130,000

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.