Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction

U.S. Department of State

Personal Services Contract Position

Countering Advanced Conventional Weapons Program Advisor

Overview: The Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction seeks to prevent proliferator states from developing or acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) materials, equipment, expertise, and delivery systems that could threaten the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests abroad.

Job Description:

THIS IS A NON-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.

General Background: This is a personal services contract position located in the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ACN/CTR) at the U.S. Department of State. ACN/CTR manages several security assistance programs to reduce the threats posed by proliferator states seeking to develop or acquire Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) material, equipment, or expertise, advanced conventional weapons, and delivery systems.

As part of that effort, ACN/CTR is seeking a dynamic Program Advisor to advance U.S. efforts to counter China and Russia’s proliferation of advanced conventional weapons and private military and security companies, while promoting responsible U.S. vendors to outcompete adversaries for defense sales. ACN/CTR develops technical studies and training programs to highlight the risks of Chinese and Russian defense systems, exposing how these deployments serve as “Trojan Horses” to gain economic and political leverage for the Chinese Communist Party and Russian Government. CTR also promotes U.S. defense system and private security alternatives to Russian private military companies and Chinese private security companies, helping to implement the America First Arms Transfer Strategy. ACN/CTR's success depends on strong coordination with the Department of War, the State Departments’ T family (particularly the Political-Military Affairs Bureau), regional bureaus, overseas posts, and key private sector partners and implementers.

ACN/CTR seeks a Program Advisor that will manage high-priority programs that advance U.S. defense sector competitiveness against China and Russia. This position offers exceptional opportunities to promote U.S. commercial diplomacy and security priorities, build interagency and international partnerships, and creatively counter Chinese and Russian efforts to expand and maintain their international security partners.

The Program Advisor will be responsible for providing programmatic, financial, and technical oversight of assigned activities in several priority areas or countries and will work closely with various Department of State offices, relevant interagency groups, technical experts, and other key stakeholders, including foreign governments, to develop and execute program activities. The Program Advisor will provide technical support to relevant policy development and implementation within the Department of State as needed.

This position is contingent on funding.

Responsibilities:

Design and implement security assistance programs with key USG stakeholders, including embassies, the Political-Military Affairs Bureau, offices of the Department of War, and regional bureaus
Oversee the development of underlying research studies and interventions to promote U.S. security alternatives.
Provide project management oversight, assist and lead third-party implementers in achieving ACN/CTR objectives.
Monitor and assess implementer performance.
Support ACN/CTR’s budget planning process, to include the preparation of documentation for grants, cooperative agreements, and Interagency Agreement documents; financial monitoring; financial reconciliation; and financial close out.
Review threat reduction project proposals and make recommendations for funding based on geographical and subject matter expertise.
Conduct research and analysis to support tailored programs to advance national security priorities.
Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
Represent ACN/CTR in technical and policy discussions and working groups.
Collaborate across the State Department and with partners in the U.S. interagency to align ACN/CTR national security programs with U.S. government (USG) nonproliferation priorities and related activities to ensure effective and efficient implementation.
Draft papers and brief high-level officials in the Department of State, interagency, foreign governments, and senior industry executives on ACN/CTR programmatic activities and related policy perspectives.
Represent ACN/CTR in domestic and foreign meetings as required.
Other activities as assigned by the ACN/CTR Office Director, Deputy Director, Team Chief, and Deputy Team Chief.

Qualifications:

Demonstrated prior experience working on USG international security, nonproliferation, national security, defense sales, and defense equipment releasability, including the design, development, implementation, and facilitation of exercises and trainings.
Knowledge of Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Foreign Military Financing (FMF), and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) a plus.
Possess strong writing skills, presentation skills, and experience in analysis, research, strategy development, interagency coordination, and implementing international programs in a culturally sensitive manner.
Possess and demonstrate outstanding skills in diplomacy, communication, teamwork, stakeholder coordination, and project management.
Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, responding to tasks with short deadlines, and prioritizing a complex workload.
The ACN/CTR headquarters is in Washington, DC. International travel will be required, and foreign language skills are a plus.
Must be able to receive and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
For the Senior Analyst Level: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7+ years’ relevant experience, master's degree and 5+ years’ relevant experience, or a Ph.D. and 1+ years’ relevant experience. An international affairs, national security, or foreign policy technical background is preferred.

Benefits:

Annual & Sick Leave - The individual selected will earn annual and sick leave in accordance with OPM regulations. The employee will be paid for federal holidays that fall within their regularly scheduled tour of duty. Those entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal civilian service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates.

Health & Life Insurance Reimbursement: Personal Services Contractor may be provided a maximum of up to seventy-two percent (72%) against actual costs of their annual health and life insurance premiums; life insurance reimbursement is capped at $500 annually. Eligibility for reimbursement requires evidence of enrollment in a qualifying health insurance plan and proof of actual payment of the associated health premiums.

Relocation Assistance Available: None

How to Apply:

Please apply through Monster.com and submit the following as a single attachment:

Cover Letter that outlines why the applicant is motivated to seek the position and why their experience is particularly relevant to the role.
Resume
Writing sample, ideally in a professional or policy context, although academic writing samples are also acceptable.
A list of at least three professional references

Failure to submit a complete package may disqualify the applicant from consideration.

You will be evaluated against the requirements outlined in this announcement, so your resume and cover letter should demonstrate that you meet the required qualifications above to undertake this position. Your references will only be contacted after your permission following an interview.

ACN/CTR expects to screen and interview candidates within 45 days of close of announcement. ONLY APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED. Offers of employment will be dependent on ability to obtain security clearance through the

Department of State’s Diplomatic Security bureau.

There may be unanticipated vacancies that occur during the period of this job posting or soon after its close. Candidates that apply to this announcement will also be provided the same consideration for these vacancies. Multiple PSCs may be selected from this announcement.

Note: This is a Personal Services Contract. This is NOT a federal direct-hire position.

Vacancy announcement will close at midnight on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation

ACN/CTR Program Advisor

About the Job