Duties

The Senior Program Management Assistant is the senior Locally Employed Staff (LES) in the INL section and will assist the INL Coordinator in carrying out responsibilities of management of bilateral and regional program funds and activities. The incumbent is an integral member of the U.S. Embassy’s INL office; s/he provides specialized technical assistance and management responsibilities for a portfolio of activities dealing generally with INL’s law enforcement assistance programs. S/he is responsible for program analysis, building of contacts with Senegal leaders in the justice sector, writing analytical cables and preparation of standardized INL-required reporting. This position will also provide support for regional programs within the trans Saharan Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP).

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Program Management Assistant maintains and builds relationships with a variety of contacts to ensure policy and programmatic goals are achieved, gather and verify information and perspectives, facilitate appointments and visits, and inform the Embassy and INL on relevant and important trends. This includes high level host government contacts in the offices of the Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Director General of Police, Ministry of the Interior and Security, and the National Assembly.

The Senior Program Management Assistant serves as a liaison with key non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental organizations, as well as donor entities in the justice sector such as bilateral and multilateral donors including the UN, the EU, France and international and local civil society and community groups. Cultivating these relationships, including improving donor coordination and ensure involvement from grassroots organizations, is critical for program success.

The Senior Program Management Assistant will also provide support for regional programs within the Trans-Saharan Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) and West Africa Regional Security Initiative (WARSI), including related activities and planning in neighboring countries. This involves financial management, support with regional collaborations, joint programs, and training/other activities, and supporting policy that help build stronger/more resilient ties among countries in the Sahel and Maghreb.

Types of responsibilities include:

Attends meetings with host government officials to refine program objectives and activities

Attends meetings with top government officials to brief host government on progress of projects

Assists in preparation of reporting on meetings with host government officials

Liaises with INL Washington on program status and host government responses

Provides program focus on INL programs, collects information and statistics for preparation and writing of the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) when required

Works with the relevant Senegalese agencies providing training focus for the agencies and determining equipment need and providing program information to Washington about the successes of the programs with the agencies. Reports on the hindrances, political, social or financial issues

Provides regular written and oral reports to the INL Coordinator on progress, impact, problems, constraints, opportunities and other issues related to program management.

PROGRAM DUTIES: 40%

The Senior Program Management Assistant contributes to the overall development and implementation of the INL objectives.

Program Planning and development:

Helps develop and refine program goals and plan new projects and refine current projects for INL Programs, working closely with INL staff, Embassy staff, other donor partners and individual GOS Agencies. This should reflect and inform existing conditions in Senegal, assists in oversight and production of documents such as Letters of Agreement (LOAs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and related documents. production of program documents for INL/Washington.

Program monitoring and support:

Provides technical assistance to, monitors performance of, and reports on impact of the INL reform projects and other projects based in or involving INL programs.

Reports to senior officers of the U.S. Mission and visitors on the status of INL programs in the absence of the INL Director; advises INL Washington personnel on the status of all INL program accounts.

Evaluates the political, economic and social changes that occur in country and how they relate to the INL programs Provides input into cables and memos for the Front Office on INL programs Reports to Washington via cable information that directly impacts on INL programs.

FINANCIAL DUTIES:30%

Assists the INL Coordinator in preparing the annual PD&S budget as well as the annual submission of the five-year Narcotics and Law Enforcement Assistance Budget Plan.

* Job Holder will perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:
EXPERIENCE: A Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in handling research and analysis, in the field of justice sector (including law enforcement and corrections), politics, or government, and newspaper reporting on such matters is highly required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: Thorough knowledge of the host country’s political, economic, and social structure. Thorough knowledge of Senegal’s justice sector. Knowledge of the functions of various Senegalese government agencies. Must have a comprehensive understanding of U.S. foreign policy and assistance objectives. First hand acquaintance of Senegalese government officials.

Education Requirements:
Master’s degree in business administration, economics, international relations, political science, or law is required.

Evaluations:
LANGUAGE: Level IV (fluent) English and French are required, with strong English writing capabilities.

SKILLS & Abilities: Wide –ranging analytical ability is required with emphasis on political, judicial, and economic spheres. Ability to obtain material form varied sources and prepare reports of a factual nature imprecise and accurate form. Must have knowledge of Senegalese and American protocol and social customs, personalities, and organizations, and should be able to move comfortably and knowledgeably within the varied levels of required contacts. Must be a self-starter and show initiative.

Qualifications:
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.