ACN/EXBS Regional Program Advisor, Personal Services Contractor (PSC)
Company: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation
Location: Panama
Industries: Government
Job Type: Full Time
Years of Experience: 7+ Years
Education Level: Bachelor's (required) / Master's Degree (preferred)
Career Level: Experienced (manager)
Salary: $102,409-$150,391 (Foreign Service equivalent class FS-02, Step 1 to Step 14, with Overseas Comparability Pay)
Number of Positions: One (1)
Security Clearance Level: Top Secret (required)
Duty Location: U.S. Embassy Panama
Travel Required: Yes (in-country and international travel required)
Language: Spanish (Minimum: ILR Level 3 – minimum professional proficiency highly desired)
Remote: No
Telework Eligible: No
Overview:
This is a Personal Services Contractor (PSC) position working for the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation (ACN), Office of Export Controls and Border Security (EXBS), U.S. Department of State. The individual will support the implementation ACN/EXBS mission objectives by serving as an in-country Regional Program Advisor at U.S. Embassy Panama.
ACN/EXBS advances U.S. national and economic security by strengthening recipient country capabilities for export controls, customs enforcement, points of entry (land, sea, air), and border security operations to identify, disrupt, and prosecute state and non-state transnational proliferation activities involving WMDs, their components, delivery systems, sensitive and emerging technologies, and advanced conventional weapons. In line with the National Security Strategy and the Administration's America First policy, ACN/EXBS aims to protect American technology and economic interests, prevent adversaries' acquisition of sensitive goods and technologies, and disrupt proliferation operations across borders.
Job Description:
THIS IS A NON-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.
The EXBS Regional Program Advisor serves as the primary U.S. government representative on the ground for implementing security assistance programming related to strategic trade management, customs and border security, and nonproliferation in assigned countries. The Advisor works closely with U.S. Embassy stakeholders and host government counterparts to assess proliferation risks, identify capability gaps, and deliver targeted assistance that advances U.S. national security and economic interests. Advisors serve as the primary in-country liaison for Program Managers, providing headquarters stakeholders with timely reporting and analysis on programmatic developments, emerging challenges, regional trends, and strategic opportunities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The individual will focus on one or more of the following programming areas:
• Assess proliferation risks and recipient nation vulnerabilities, conducting site visits and evaluating strategic trade control, customs, and border security capabilities;
• Collaborate with DC-based program manager to establish assistance priorities in line with administration priorities and Department of State goals, draft strategic plans, support out-year budget planning, and draft reporting cables;
• Engage host government counterparts to build political will for ACN/EXBS priorities and ensure recipient implementation of security assistance programming;
• Represent ACN/EXBS and broader ACN equities at Post through Country Team meetings, working groups, and bilateral dialogues, ensuring security assistance supports country- and region-specific policies;
• Coordinate with Embassy leadership, international donors, and U.S. assistance programs to ensure deconfliction, burden-shifting, and complementary implementation of administration priorities;
• Coordinate with implementers to ensure timely, compliant delivery of ACN/EXBS activities, guiding strategy, approving materials, and overseeing equipment deliveries (including end-use monitoring, site visits, and impact assessments);
• Supervise local staff and conduct performance evaluations;
• Complete special projects and perform other related duties as may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications
At the FS-02 equivalent level, applicant must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the FS-03 level in the Federal service which provided the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. The individual performs these tasks under general supervision by Senior Advisor, Program Management Team and other senior-level staff, demonstrating thorough knowledge of ACN mission with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment.
Desired Qualifications
• Leadership and Representation: Ability to act as key representative and liaison between agency leadership, political officials, and external stakeholders to advance mission and strategic initiatives
• Strategic Communication: Ability to brief senior leadership and agency officials on sensitive issues, providing strategic advice and actionable recommendations
• Written and Oral Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills in a collaborative environment; ability to draft high-level correspondence, briefing papers, cables, memos, talking points, press releases, reports to Congress, and presentations for senior level and agency leadership, public and private audiences
• Program Management: Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, implement, and evaluate program activities and policies; ability to communicate and address project risks
• Time Management: Excellent time management and organizational skills, collaborative work style, and strong interpersonal and team skills
• Initiative and Autonomy: Ability to work independently with minimal need for close supervision
• Security Clearance: Ability to obtain Top Secret security clearance; active Top-Secret Clearance preferred
• Policy Knowledge: Familiarity with U.S. nonproliferation and foreign policy objectives
• Government Processes: Familiarity with Department of State and/or U.S. government processes, including foreign assistance programming, budgeting, and reporting
• Technical Expertise: Knowledge of export controls, customs enforcement, border security operations, and strategic trade control management
• Regional Expertise: Knowledge of Latin America/Caribbean region and relevant proliferation threats
• Language Skills: Spanish language proficiency
EDUCATION: See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php. Final candidates must provide official transcripts as proof of education before a tentative offer of employment can be extended.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Individual must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance
• Individual must be able and willing to live abroad and travel extensively, potentially to remote or hazardous locations
• Individual must be willing to serve at U.S. Embassy Panama for the duration of the contract
BENEFITS:
Annual and Sick Leave
The Contractor will accrue and request annual and sick leave (paid time off) in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations. For full-time employees, annual leave accrual rates start at 4 hours every biweekly pay period, while sick leave accrual is 4 hours every pay period. Those entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates.
The employee will also be paid for federal holidays that fall within their regularly scheduled tour of duty. While serving abroad, the Contractor will also be entitled to all holidays granted by the U.S. Embassy to U.S. citizen Civil Service and Foreign Service employees.
Health & Life Insurance Reimbursement
If eligible: The individual selected will be provided a contribution (reimbursement) of 72 percent against the Contractor's health insurance premium costs toward either an individual or family policy, subject to an annual cap on the maximum contribution, provided that such costs may not exceed the maximum U.S. Government contribution for direct-hire personnel as announced annually by OPM. The Contractor will also be provided a contribution (reimbursement) of 50 percent against the actual costs of an individual annual life insurance policy not to exceed $500.00 per year.
The Contracting Officer will confirm the individual's contribution is compliant with the contract requirements prior to submitting for reimbursement. Proof of health and life insurance coverage, including a receipt showing the individual's payment for coverage, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer before any contribution is paid.
Salary & Overseas Allowances
In addition to the Contractor’s base salary, he/she may be eligible for other allowances that may include post differential, cost of living allowance (COLA), danger pay, and/or Sunday premium pay where applicable. See https://aoprals.state.gov/web920/location.asp?menu_id=95.
Paid Housing & Travel Expenses
A furnished residence will be provided for the Contractor and his/her eligible family members (EFMs) in accordance with Department/Post policies. The residential lease, water, and electrical expenses will also be paid for by the Program.
Permanent change of station (PCS) travel costs will be paid for or reimbursed by ACN/EXBS in accordance with the Contractor’s travel orders and/or contract.
Shipping and Storage of Household Effects
ACN/EXBS will pay for costs associated with packing, hauling, and storage of the Contractor’s household effects (HHE) up to the statutory limit of 18,000 pounds, along with the shipment of a privately owned vehicle (POV) when allowable by Post. The shipment of Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB) will also be authorized, starting at a weight allowance of 250 pounds.
Educational Allowance
An educational allowance is an allowance to assist the Contractor in meeting the extraordinary and necessary expenses in providing adequate elementary and secondary education for the Contractor’s children. The Contractor, if authorized, will receive education allowance payments for his/her dependent children in amounts not to exceed those set forth in the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas), Chapter 270 for the “school at post” education allowance rate only.
Travel of a child may be authorized in lieu of an education allowance, once each way in a 12-month period starting on the date travel first commences between school and the employee’s post for secondary education and for college education.
Home Leave and Rest & Recuperation
Home leave and Rest and recuperation (R&R) may be applicable and may be authorized in accordance with the individual’s contract and supervisor/Chief of Mission approval.
Passport and Visa Support
ACN/EXBS will assist the Contractor and his/her EFMs in obtaining diplomatic passports and the necessary visas.
401K Plan
A non-matching, privately administered 401(k) plan is available through the Department.
HOW TO APPLY:
Required Documents
All required documents listed, that are applicable to you, must be submitted through BetterTeam.com as a single attachment by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
1. Cover letter (addressing your qualifications for this specific position)
2. Resume (Limited to two (2) pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education, and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations. Resumes longer than two (2) pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.)
3. A list of at least three professional references
Failure to submit a complete package will disqualify the applicant from consideration.
HOW APPLICANTS WILL BE EVALUATED:
Applicants will be evaluated for this job based on how well the applicant meets the qualifications above.
Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants will be evaluated against the requirements outlined in this announcement. References will only be contacted with applicant's permission following an interview.
Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications for this position. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will conduct a review of applicant resumes to determine if qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience are well described and demonstrated. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened).
In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. ACN/EXBS does not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration.
ACN/EXBS expects to screen and interview candidates within seven (7) days after the close of this 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. There may be unanticipated vacancies that occur during the period of this job posting or soon after its close. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in ACN/EXBS for up to 240 days and may require a Secret to Top Secret security clearances.
For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov.
Note: This is a Personal Services Contract. This is NOT a federal direct-hire position.
Vacancy announcement will close after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.