Anticorruption Visa Advisor

Position description

The Anticorruption Visa Advisor (referred to as Advisor for the remainder of the document) serves on a several-person unit, managed by a Branch Chief. The Advisor, under the direction of the Branch Chief, will support implementation of PP 7750, Section 7031(c), and Global Magnitsky sanctions, as well as related sanctions tasks. The primary focus will be on developing cases, including research and analysis of information; coordination with posts, relevant bureaus and the interagency; interaction with non-governmental sources for proposed case and substantiating information; and drafting decision memos for senior leadership. The position will also include assisting in drafting the related Congressionally mandated reports and raising awareness about these authorities through engagement with other Department offices, embassies abroad, the interagency, civil society, and the Hill.

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world. 

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) keeps Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. 

INL’s Office of Global Programs and Policy (INL/GPP) plays a leadership role in INL, the Department, and the interagency in combating corruption and transnational organized crime internationally, including through management of several anticrime sanctions and deterrence tools. The Anticrime Sanctions and Deterrence Tools Branch includes a unit of six professional staff dedicated to implementing corruption-related visa restrictions and related sanctions programs. INL administers two corruption-related visa denial authorities: Presidential Proclamation 7750 (PP 7750) and the Anti-Kleptocracy Provision in Section 7031(c) of the annual Appropriations Act. These two authorities allow the Department to deny visas to current and former corrupt officials, their corrupt affiliates, and their immediate family members. INL also supports implementation of Executive Order (E.O.) 13818 (entitled “Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption”), which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Process visa restriction actions directed at high-level corrupt foreign public officials and those who corrupt them (i.e., bribers), and family members of either group. 

• Draft analysis documents and memoranda for each case, based on research and analysis of a variety of sources and in coordination with a range of stakeholders (including obtaining numerous clearances), for senior leadership’s consideration and approval. 

• Work closely with the Legal and Consular Affairs Bureaus to ensure legal, factual, and procedural prerequisites are met, and constructively resolve disagreements. 

• Work closely with the U.S. law enforcement and intelligence communities in 1) distributing case-related information to ensure potential law enforcement actions involving subjects are not compromised by visa actions and 2) generating referrals for cases and further developing the factual basis for draft memos. 

• Serve as a resource within the Department and the interagency community on visa restrictions, brief working level officials within the interagency and Department, and assist in preparing Congressional reporting and testimonies. 

• Advise on opportunities to expand use of authorities and innovate practice. 

• Support outreach efforts to raise awareness about these authorities through engagement with other Department offices, embassies abroad, the interagency, civil society, and the Hill. 

• Conduct similar research and analysis to support implementation of related programs, including the Global Magnitsky sanctions program. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• U.S. Citizen

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution. 

• Two (2) to four (4) years’ experience in anti-corruption; 

• Demonstrated knowledge of specific country issues, including specialized knowledge of international narcotics and law enforcement, or similar type programs sufficient to ensure project work is in compliance with management policies and procedures and in conformance with the Foreign Assistance Act and other regulatory procedures and guidelines. 

• Proven knowledge of Federal policies and procedures including methods of providing assistance and the Federal budget process. 

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of players. 

• Demonstrated ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation with regard to the interpretation and application of analysis. 

• Experience drafting U.S. government reports and documents, such as the INCSR, embassy cables, and other documents. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Demonstrated exposure to sanctions, anticorruption, and/or consular work. 

• Demonstrated experience and ability for successful interactions with U.S. government agencies to develop and maintain partnership relationships. 

• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to communicate analyses effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills to monitor, evaluate, digest, and synthesize complex, technical information. 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and independently. 

• Demonstrated attention to detail, while maintaining timeliness and control over multiple elements of a portfolio. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office’s applications. 

POSITION LOCATION:  The physical work location is the INL/GPP office at State Annex (SA-01), Columbia Plaza, 2401 E St. NW Washington, DC 20520

TRAVEL:  Travel for this position is authorized.  

BENEFITS:  Employer offers a highly competitive compensation package for this position, including comprehensive medical insurance, paid time off, federal holidays, and a 401K matching with no vesting period. Employer also provides at, no cost to our employees, 50K in life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance coverage.
 

SECURITY CLEARANCE:  A Secret security clearance is required for the position; however, the Advisor can begin work with an interim Secret security clearance.

Application instructions

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