FIRST Nuclear Security Program Analyst

GDIT is seeking a Program Advisor to oversee international security assistance trainings aimed at addressing pressing nuclear security, proliferation, safety, and sovereignty challenges posed by aggressive civil nuclear reactor exports.

GDIT partners with the Department of State’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) to support the Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Technology (FIRST) program – a U.S. government initiative that provides security assistance support to help recipient countries:

• Establish a civil nuclear power program under the highest standards for nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation
• Take advantage of next generation nuclear energy innovations and technologies in their energy plans
• Deepen relationships through government, industry, national laboratory, and university engagements

CTR funds, manages, and implements the FIRST effort, which focuses currently on Latin America and the Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific region, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

This FIRST Program Advisor will serve as an on-site contractor at the Department of State and assist CTR in developing, managing, and coordinating FIRST and civil nuclear energy security assistance efforts. The Program Advisor will be responsible for providing programmatic, financial, and technical oversight to assigned projects and activities while actively contributing to strategically advancing the FIRST team’s objectives and programming. CTR’s programmatic efforts evolve in response to the international security environment, requiring Program Advisors to develop, coordinate, and implement innovative strategies to address the dynamic environment. The Program Advisor will also be responsible for supporting relevant policy implementation within the Department of State and coordinating with other U.S. Government departments and agencies as needed. 

This position is contingent on funding.

Responsibilities:

• Developing and implementing country-specific, time-sensitive, and complex security assistance projects and strategies in partnership with host government officials and in coordination with the U.S. government interagency.

• Manage complex and sensitive relationships with interagency partners such as the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Commerce Department, and State Department partners from country desks, embassies, and within the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation  (ACN) in a manner that advances CTR’s programmatic goals and directs complementary capabilities in a whole-of-U.S.-nuclear-sector effort to address proliferation threats.

• Review threat reduction project proposals and make recommendations for funding based on geographical and subject matter expertise.

• Support 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.

• Conduct research and analysis to support tailored programs to advance national security priorities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the U.S. civil nuclear energy sector.
• Represent CTR in technical and policy discussions and working groups.

• Brief high-level officials in the Department of State, interagency, foreign governments, and senior nuclear industry executives on CTR programmatic activities and related policy perspectives.

• Represent CTR in domestic and foreign meetings as required.

• Other activities as assigned by the ACN/CTR Office Director and Deputy Director, Team Chief, and Deputy Team Chief.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated prior experience working on USG international nonproliferation, nuclear energy, scientific, or other WMD nonproliferation programs and national security programs, including the design, development, implementation, and facilitation of exercises and workshops.

• General familiarity with civil nuclear reactor technology ideally including small modular reactors, threat reduction programming, the risks of nuclear proliferation, and implementation of assistance programming for foreign partners.

• Possess strong writing 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.

• International travel may be required, and foreign language skills are a plus.

• The candidate must be able to receive and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

• For the Analyst Level: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 4+ years’ relevant experience, Master’s degree and 2+ years’ relevant experience, or a Ph.D. An international affairs, national security, foreign policy, or technical background is preferred.