Senior Specialist, International Affairs Programs

Posted 8 days ago

avid coreWashington (DC)

Project Management Specialists International Affairs

SENIORITY

Lead

SALARY

$80,000 - $120,000

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About the role

Senior Specialist, International Affairs Programs Do you thrive at the intersection of international affairs, national security, strategy, and program leadership? Are you an experienced international affairs professional who can independently lead complex initiatives, advise senior leaders, and coordinate across federal agencies and international partners? Avid Core is seeking a Senior Specialist, International Affairs Programs to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of International Affairs (INA). This position will provide senior-level program management, strategic planning, analysis, and advisory support across a diverse portfolio of international programs and organizational initiatives. The successful candidate will be an experienced international affairs professional who can operate independently in a complex federal environment, translate strategic priorities into executable programs, build consensus across organizations, and develop recommendations and decision-quality products for senior leadership.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000

Overall Responsibilities: Lead and manage complex international programs, initiatives, and projects from concept and strategic planning through execution, monitoring, evaluation, and closeout. Provide strategic and programmatic advice to INA leadership on international programs, emerging requirements, organizational priorities, and opportunities for improved mission effectiveness. Translate senior leadership priorities and broader CBP and DHS objectives into actionable strategies, implementation plans, milestones, performance measures, and deliverables. Lead coordination across CBP offices, DHS components, the Department of State, other U.S. Government agencies, U.S. embassies, and external stakeholders as required. Develop and assess international strategies, policies, programs, work plans, and organizational initiatives. Lead or facilitate cross-functional working groups, governance bodies, program reviews, strategic planning sessions, and interagency forums. Assess complex international, policy, operational, and organizational issues and develop practical recommendations and courses of action for senior leadership. Monitor program performance, schedules, resources, risks, dependencies, and outcomes and proactively identify issues requiring leadership attention or intervention. Develop executive-level briefings, decision memoranda, talking points, presentations, strategy documents, reports, background papers, and other high-visibility products. Provide senior-level support for international engagements, bilateral and multilateral meetings, foreign delegations, conferences, and other mission activities. Coordinate with program managers and subject-matter experts to develop requirements, budgets, work plans, justifications, performance measures, and program documentation. Support the planning and management of international capacity-building, technical assistance, training, assessment, and foreign-partner engagement initiatives. Analyze program data and performance information to assess effectiveness, identify trends and gaps, and recommend changes to strategy, resources, or program execution. Anticipate and respond to senior leadership inquiries, executive-level data calls, audits, reviews, and other high-priority requirements. Build and maintain productive relationships with senior government officials, program managers, interagency partners, subject-matter experts, and other stakeholders. Identify and lead improvements to program management processes, governance structures, information sharing, performance management, and organizational effectiveness. Provide quality assurance and substantive review of analytical and programmatic products developed by other team members. Mentor and provide guidance to junior and mid-level analysts and contribute to effective workload management and team performance. Maintain awareness of evolving U.S. foreign policy, homeland security, border security, law enforcement, and international cooperation priorities and assess implications for INA programs. Independently manage emerging and ambiguous requirements and provide surge leadership as INA priorities evolve. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills:

Previous experience supporting CBP, DHS, the Department of State, USAID, the Department of Defense, or another U.S. Government organization with a significant international mission.
Experience supporting CBP's Office of International Affairs or comparable international programs.
Knowledge of international border security, customs, immigration, trade, transnational organized crime, counter-narcotics, law enforcement cooperation, or international capacity-building programs.
Experience managing international assistance, capacity-building, training, technical assistance, foreign engagement, or overseas programs.
Experience coordinating with the Department of State, U.S. embassies, foreign governments, international organizations, or other interagency partners.
Experience developing international strategies, country or regional plans, program work plans, budgets, resource justifications, and performance frameworks.
Experience with Interagency Agreements (IAAs), federal funding mechanisms, or programs involving resources transferred or coordinated among U.S. Government agencies.
Experience with executive secretariat functions, governance, policy development, or senior-level decision support.
Familiarity with federal budgeting, acquisition, performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation, and resource planning.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or another relevant program/project management certification is preferred.
A Top Secret clearance or current CBP clearance/suitability is strongly preferred. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain the clearance and suitability required by the customer.
Significant professional experience leading or managing complex programs, portfolios, or initiatives in international affairs, national security, homeland security, foreign affairs, law enforcement, international development, or a related environment.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage programs involving multiple organizations, stakeholders, workstreams, and competing priorities.
Experience advising senior government officials or executives and developing recommendations for leadership decision-making.
Strong understanding of federal program management, strategic planning, governance, performance management, and organizational processes.
Demonstrated ability to translate broad strategic objectives into actionable plans, requirements, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to structure ambiguous problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical courses of action.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience preparing executive-level briefings, memoranda, presentations, reports, and decision materials.
Strong facilitation and stakeholder-management skills with experience building consensus across organizational boundaries.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, anticipate requirements, and successfully manage assignments with limited supervision.
Demonstrated experience managing multiple high-priority requirements and deadlines in a fast-paced federal or mission-oriented environment.
Ability to provide substantive guidance, mentoring, and quality assurance to other analysts.
We're looking for someone who is:
A versatile international affairs generalist who can move effectively among program management, analysis, governance, stakeholder engagement, and executive support.
Intellectually curious and able to quickly learn new subject areas while maintaining a strong focus on execution.
Organized, responsive, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a changing mission environment.
Comfortable working through ambiguity and translating complex issues into clear, practical recommendations.
A strong communicator who can develop concise products and engage professionally with program managers, subject-matter experts, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.
Proactive, adaptable, solutions-oriented, and willing to step into new priorities as mission needs evolve.
Reliable, accountable, and able to take ownership of assignments with limited supervision.
Collaborative and customer-service oriented, with sound judgment and a commitment to timely follow-through.

Education: Bachelor's degree in international affairs, international relations, political science, public policy, public administration, national security, business, or a related field required. A master's degree in international affairs, international relations, public policy, public administration, national security, business administration, or a related discipline is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant professional experience may be considered.

Benefits:

Comprehensive health insurance
Vision, dental, and short-term and long-term disability 401K with employer match (after six months of employment)
Federal and non-federal paid holidays
Flexible paid time off
Generous bonus program based on firm and individual performance
An opportunity to learn and grow in an inclusive and supportive environment with a fun team

Location: The position is based in Washington, D.C., and the National Capital Region. Candidates may be expected to work in person, with any opportunities for remote

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