Position Overview:

Our client is accepting applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide Operations Specialist (Watch Officer) support. The successful candidate will maintain the common operating picture for our client, U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID). Operations Specialists logs activity and requests for information. Coordinates requests for information from leadership, employees, and partners organizations. Monitors open source intelligence, news media, and DoS cables. Must be knowledgeable of agency contingency plans and COOP plans and capable of sending Emergency Notifications.

Qualified candidates must possess an active Secret clearance (Tier 3). Successful candidate must be available to work first, second, and third shifts on rotating basis.

Essential Functions, Responsibilities, and Duties:

• Assists leadership by maintaining common operating picture for the Command Center, follow the directives and guidance provided by chain of command, Laws, Regulations, ADS, SOPs. Assists in responding to leadership requests for information, notifications, briefings, shift reports, and monitoring and tracking events.
• Monitors open source intelligence, news media, and DoS cables. Knowledgeable of agency contingency plans and COOP plans. Capable of sending Emergency Notifications.
• Maintains an active control and reporting on all activity logs and requests for information. Coordinates requests for information from leadership, employees, and partners organizations. Assists in advising USAID leadership on the timing, scale, and scope of the USG COVID-19 response with emphasis on operational planning and emergency implementation.
• Accomplishes critical work related to the conceptualization, design, documentation, and/or management of programs and/or projects that focus on the operational aspects of the task force. Evaluate mission-specific and/or centralized response programs and projects.
• Evaluates options and develops specific operational plans appropriate to the emergencies impacting USAID operations worldwide, including COVID-19.
• Manages the agency’s emergency initiatives through inter-agency response strategies, developing timely program and operations implementation and evaluating the effectiveness of these programs.
• Coordinates with other U.S. Government agencies involved in the COVID-19 and emergency response from operations and policy perspectives. Regular communications and interaction with principals in the Department of State (DOS), Office of Personnel Equal Opportunity Employer Management (OPM), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other executive branch agencies.
• Leads the design and development of new programs/projects, including initial reconnaissance of projects, preparation of scopes of work for feasibility studies.
• Reviews program/project proposals for economic, financial, technical, social, and environmental soundness; and recommends or takes appropriate action.
• Integrates with Programs to identify priorities and direct / re-prioritize support.
• Provides advice and guidance on operational challenges facing an agency having responsibility for crisis response with international scope and impact, such as justifying or settling matters involving a significant program policy in the arena of safety and security, logistics, overseas administration, and continuity of operations.

Position Qualifications:

Must be a U.S. citizen and possess and maintain a Secret clearance level (Tier 3). Must have minimum of five years of experience in military, law enforcement, security, or intelligence operations with US Government agencies, be proficient in utilizing automation to support operational planning efforts and product development. Able to perform in a high stress environment.

Must possess and demonstrate at a professional level the below skills sets.

Strong research skills:

Must be able to plan, develop, organize, and conduct special research studies providing comprehensive assessments of broad, exceptionally complex, or highly sensitive issues within the assigned area. Develop methods of evaluating the validity, accuracy, and reliability of a broad array and high volume of information, for translation into intelligence relevant to the organization.

Strong verbal and written communication skills:

Must be capable of articulating thoughts, ideas, and opposing points of view through all forms of communication with both internal and external government agencies to effectively carry out the duties of this position. Must be proficient in crafting all types of correspondence that reach their target audience with clarity and comprehension to include the senior management level. Must be skillful in giving briefs, guidance, and methodologies to a diverse audience.