The incumbent of this position will serve as a Senior Conflict and Stabilization Officer (SCSO), located at the Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, or such other locations as directed by the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO).  The SCSO, under Chief of Mission (COM) authority when working in Bangladesh, will be a senior member of the CSO engagement team, sharing highly specialized knowledge and techniques as part of CSO's fieldwork to mitigate violence in Bangladesh, primarily in as many as 12 prioritized hotspots outside of Dhaka.  In close coordination with Embassy Dhaka, the incumbent will conduct conflict analysis, design conflict intervention strategies, execute conflict intervention and programming initiatives, provide monitoring and evaluation of CSO initiatives, partner with local organizations, build and enhance local networks, work with local media, provide field reporting and influence positive and negative actors.  As an expert on Bangladesh, the incumbent coordinates and executes whole-of-government assessment, planning, and evaluation activities from Washington and in the field.  Coordination responsibilities will involve all U.S. departments and agencies with relevant capabilities to prepare, plan for, support, and conduct conflict prevention and stabilization activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Serve as the senior advisor to the Bangladesh engagement team, developing, implementing, managing and evaluating programs and stabilization activities for an engagement team based in Bangladesh.  
 

·         Supports the CSO Bangladesh engagement through high-level technical and subject matter expertise in conflict analysis and developing and implementing effective conflict mitigation strategies, programs, and initiatives, particularly in Bangladesh.

·         Conducts, in collaboration with the CSO Bangladesh engagement team, assessments for the Bangladesh engagement, including extensive visits to anticipated CSO field sites.

·         Utilizing expertise in public sector reform and institution building, participates in conflict prevention and stabilization engagements, including participation in the design and facilitation of assessment, planning, and evaluation processes and products. 

·         From a senior team member position, advises and assists in the assessment, design, and implementation of the CSO Bangladesh engagement and related programs in close coordination with CSO staff, Embassy staff, other Department of State personnel, other U.S. Government entities, and other governmental and non-governmental actors, all based upon rigorous analysis and U.S. Government policy.

·         When necessary, recommends refining strategic objectives and advocates on behalf of new approaches in-country, possibly linked to neighboring country programs if considered appropriate.

·         Uses complex quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate program efficiency and effectiveness.

·         Identifies or seeks out NGOs, international donors, USG agencies, and other organizations in the U.S. and overseas that are important to CSO’s programs and develops and maintains professional relationships with those organizations.

·         Meets with and briefs high-level decision-makers, secure stakeholders, and acts as an official representative of CSO and the Embassy in meetings, providing assessments of the status of projects and related Bangladesh initiatives.

·         Articulates CSO’s Bangladesh engagement to visitors, senior officials from international organizations, bilateral donors and national and local foreign government officials.

·         Based on knowledge of civil capacity development, assesses and identifies relevant gaps where CSO tools, including integrated planning, conflict assessment and deployable staff, can enable regional bureau and interagency stakeholders to develop better policy leading to improved outcomes. 

·         Given status as a subject matter expert, provides substantive analysis and reporting on the Bangladesh conflict and stabilization initiatives.

·         Analyzes and reports on current political developments and security concerns as well as other pertinent information required to achieve CSO’s engagement objectives.

·         Negotiates effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations where the proposals involve substantial agency resources, require extensive changes in established procedures, or may be in conflict with the activity studied.

·         Provides training on operations, strategies, and tactical issues within the Officer's scope of subject matter expertise for CSO staff both in Washington and the field, as required.

·         Works in support of CSO’s Office of Learning and Training (OLT) to develop and implement monitoring and evaluation systems related to the CSO Bangladesh engagement and related programs.

·         Manages and trains local contract staff and other non-direct hire implementers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED OF THIS POSITION:

·         A minimum of five years of relevant work experience with the U.S. Government, international assistance organizations, or non-governmental organizations in conflict resolution and analysis, crises management, strategic communications, economic development, democracy and governance, international law, and/or human rights activities.

·         Cultural and regional experience in the South/Southeast Asia region, specifically in Bangladesh. Prefer a minimum of three years living/working overseas in the region or country.

·         A minimum of two years’ experience in South/Southeast Asia, specifically working in conflict analysis include strategic planning, early warning analytics, interventions, and assessments in conflict affected zones.

·         Conversational ability in Bengali, Urdu, Hindi, or Punjabi sufficient to meet work requirements. 

·         Other significant international experience to include designing, implementing, managing and evaluating programs, assistance, and communication strategies. Grants management experience. Experience in bi-lateral diplomatic relationships with multinational organizations.

·         Strong civil society experience, including grass roots and community networking, strategic development of metrics and processes to create and monitor civil-society groups, and analytics of civil society groups.

·         Skill in planning, organizing, and implementing strategic communications strategies. Experience addressing media and public audiences.

·         Skill in computer Science and data systems analysis.

·         Mastery of oral and written communication techniques sufficient to communicate complex technical requirements to non-technical personnel; prepare and present briefings to senior management officials on complex/controversial issues.

·         Graduate or professional degree in the areas of international development, international affairs, finance, political science, public administration, or law.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The incumbent is assigned to Bangladesh with temporary duty/consultations to Washington, DC, as circumstances dictate and allow. 

CLEARANCES:

Must be a U.S. citizen who is able to obtain and maintain a Secret level Security Clearance.  A Department of State Class 1 Medical Clearance is required. Possession of a current Secret or higher level clearance preferred. 

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:  One (1) year, with four (4) option years.

Please apply here.