Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) Program Advisor

Type of Requisition:

Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:

None

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:

Secret

Suitability:

Public Trust/Other Required:

None

Job Family:

National Security Analysis

Job Qualifications:

Skills:

Counterproliferation, International Security, Leadership

Certifications:

None - N/A

Experience:

4 + years of related experience

US Citizenship Required:

Yes

Job Description:

This position is located in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) at the U.S. Department of State. ISN/CTR

funds, manages, and implements programs that seek to mitigate the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) being developed and used by proliferator states and non-state actors against the United States or our allies.  Among the efforts CTR oversees are counterproliferation programs that address evolving national security threats, including the threats posed by proliferator states, such as Russia, China, DPRK, Iran, and others.

 

GDIT is seeking a candidate who will assist CTR’s BEP team with developing, implementing, supporting, and coordinating nonproliferation capacity-building efforts.  BEP seeks to mitigate global biological threats by minimizing access of state and non-state actors to biological expertise, materials, and equipment that could be used to conduct biological attacks.  BEP engages a wide array of international partners from over 40 countries both directly and through expert implementing partners to conduct biological threat reduction activities such as improving laboratory biosafety and biosecurity.  The candidate must have outstanding written and oral communication skills, a strong interest in science diplomacy, significant experience in project management, and thrive in a fast-paced, small-team environment.  Demonstrated success in both independent and team-driven efforts is required.  Technical knowledge and experience in international security, nonproliferation, project management, biosecurity, global health security, virology/microbiology/epidemiology, and/or biodefense is strongly preferred.

 

The candidate will be responsible for programmatic and technical oversight of assigned activities in several priority countries, and will work closely with other Department of State and interagency entities, counterparts in foreign governments, technical experts, and other stakeholders to develop and execute program activities.  The candidate will also be responsible for developing programmatic tools to support relevant U.S. foreign policy objectives and project implementation, and coordinating with other U.S. Government departments and agencies, as needed.

 

BEP’s biosecurity efforts have a global impact, but currently focus in Latin America Central Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.  BEP’s programmatic efforts continue to evolve in response to the international security environment and seek to reinforce U.S. national security objectives in this dynamic environment.  To this end, we welcome candidates who can develop and implement innovative strategies to address some of the most pressing non-proliferation and related national security challenges facing the U.S., including advanced and emerging biosecurity threats from both state and nonstate actors.

 

Duties and responsibilities under this opportunity include, but are not limited to:

·       Manage and coordinate closely with a cadre of technical experts who implement threat-reduction projects (e.g., trainings, workshops, etc.) that build international partner biosecurity capacity and advance U.S. policies pertaining to countering WMD and other proliferation threats;

·       Complete various taskings related to programmatic and/or policy issues as assigned by ISN/CTR or BEP leadership (e.g., drafting briefing checklists and talking points, clearing documents with Department of State and/or U.S. interagency stakeholders, writing summaries and readouts of meetings and events, etc.);

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