REQUIRED: Minimum Secret Cecurity Clearance; but TOP-Secret Clearance preferred


The Subject Matter Expert (SME) will be part of the EUR-NEA Israeli-Palestinian-North Africa (IPNA) team with a focus on the Gaza Crisis Response, and the post-October 7 humanitarian crisis impacting Palestinians in Gaza and the greater Middle East region.

 

The SME will assist the GS-14 FAO Team Lead in preparing, facilitating, and supporting the humanitarian response in Gaza, helping to manage and staff the team, and providing guidance and expertise on various topics related to the region. They will work with a wide range of stakeholders, including U.S. government agencies, international organizations, and other partners involved in the humanitarian response.

The SME will help manage the day-to-day operations of the team, in consultation with the Team Lead. This includes scheduling, assigning tasks, and ensuring that work is completed on time and to a high standard. The SME will provide expert advice and expertise which advances the Bureau’s mission to respond to the crisis, and on-going humanitarian relief organizations. SME hold significant DoS and foreign service institutional knowledge of the relevant subject matter (humanitarian/Palestinian issues). Advises and/or recommends to senior management processes or procedures rooted in industry best 2 or 14 practices as subject matter experts. They do not require significant supervision to carry out routine or complex tasks.

The SMEs perform a wide variety of duties related to highly complex analytical processes related to the Gaza crisis response. They perform analyses and prepare results reporting for relevant bureau programs. The SMEs confirm and prioritize project plans and deliverables as agreed upon between the staff contractor, Bureau COR and Office/Division supervisor (or Office Director or Deputy Director).

Qualifications

• At least 6 years of work experience preferred (can trade out some years for education qualifications). Bachelor’s Degree required in field relevant to subject matter at issue (ex: Middle East Studies, International Relations, or Political Science)
• Subject Matter Expert in managing the day-to-day operations of a team. This includes scheduling, assigning tasks, and ensuring that work is completed on time and to a high standard.

 

• Subject Matter Expert skills in presenting logical and cogent oral presentations of results of analysis, including facts, issues, regulatory principles and provisions, and policy considerations – for a particular audience or for specific purposes.

 

• Subject Matter Expert in the formulating, writing and implementing reporting mechanisms, policies, processes and procedures.

 

• Subject Matter Expert in tracking document flow and clearance processes and distribution of documents to appropriate personnel.

 

• Subject Matter Expert in developing and implementing standard operating procedures (internal controls) for internal and external users.

 

• Subject Matter Expert in policy analysis and interpretation, with the ability to understand and navigate complex political issues related to Gaza.

 

• Excellent critical and creative thinking and analytical skills, with a focus on qualitative analysis.

 

• Excellent, timely and precise organizational skills and multi-tasking abilities.

 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

 

• Excellent ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, and multi-task in a high volume, fast-paced, high-pressure work environment.

 

• Excellent ability to also have a flexible, team-oriented approach to work.

 

• Excellent ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues.

 

• Subject Matter Expert experience in working for U.S. foreign affairs agencies and/or international organizations preferred.