USAID Job Opening

The Military Liaison Officer (MLO) position(s) were established to more effectively coordinate the respective activities of OS within OFDA's responsibilities for Military Liaison, DART deployment requirements, and Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) disaster planning under Presidential Decision Directive 39/62. The Military Liaison Unit serves as the principal point of contact and coordination with DOD.

The MLO will be assigned to Washington, D.C. However, travel is required to attend DOD/USAID/OFDA conferences, exercises anMd other related activities, DART member deployments and CBRN planning exercises as directed by AD/OS/OFDA.

-- to liaise with the DOD in an effort to help the military coordinate with the humanitarian community to achieve the best use of military assets by reducing redundant or counter productive military activities;

-- to assist the military in defining and reconciling its role with that of the other members of the humanitarian relief community;

-- to seek out methods to most effectively utilize DOD strengths;

-- to represent OFDA in appropriate DOD training and planning exercises with subsequent reporting to OFDA divisions on activities, lessons learned, success and future activities as a result of OFDA participation;

-- to represent OFDA in DOD conferences in the context of priorities set forth by the OS/AD. To strike a balance with lower level exercises and their operational impact, will2 also place emphasis on participation in After Action Reviews (AARs), humanitarian exercises sponsored at the CINC-level and at operational level, and strategic planning exercises normally conducted through Pentagon auspices to interact with policy makers;

-- to support OFDA management in defining a strategy for military coordination which will include guidelines for determining OFDA participation in DOD operations when specific requests are made and where OFDA should request activities and participation;

-- to determine if OFDA participation in DOD humanitarian activities is necessary and useful;

-- to provide OFDA briefing and training to uniform military officers at various DOD educational institutions (War Colleges, National Defense University, Navy Postgraduate School, etc.);

-- to coordinate with DOD and DOS/PM to provide OFDA staff with briefings on military procedures, assets, roles, capabilities, culture, chain of caommand, and humanitarian-related activities and cirdculate status reports which summarize DOD activities in which OFDA personnel are involved;

-- to deploy with DOD forces in humanitarian emergencies;

-- to provide reports, debriefs and evaluations of all planning, exercises and deployments to AD/OS and appropriate OFDA staff;

-- to assist in the identification of DRM deployment needs in designated "at risk" countries where DARTs may occur and work with OS to determine appropriate DART needs as a basis for contingency planning for personnel and resources;

-- to be available for deployment to the field as DART member team; and,

-- other duties as assigned.

-- Minimum of BA in political science or international relations with overseas experience

-- MA in international relations or related field desirable

-- Knowledge of CBRN and CCO response plans, programs and resources within the USG. Knowledge of budget and human resource planning and program development in the USG Interagency environment;

-- Knowledge of the various USG departments and agencies involved in CBRN and CCO response planning;

-- General knowledge of the various types of CBRN incidents, events, and accidents, as well as the potential impacts and consequences;

-- General knowledge of the various types of CCOs and natural disasters, as well as the potential impacts and consequences;

-- Knowledge of disaster relief and humanitarian assistance concepts. Broad knowledge of the political, economic, and cultural impacts of policy decisions on relief efforts during civil conflict and natural disasters. Overseas experience is desirable in order to be able to effectively conceptualize and develop realistic, comprehensive, strategic, and operational planning documents;

-- Demonstrated ability to write clearly and prepare in depth reports which may include the application of a variety of analytical techniques. Ability to prepare and conduct oral presentations on a wide variety of topics, and the ability to comcmunicate effectively with relevant parties within and outside of BHR/OFDA;

-- Experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of internal and external training plans and programs;

-- Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance as provided by USAID; and,

-- US citizen.