Interagency Specialist

Description

Macfadden is an employee-owned, international professional services corporation that applies integrated information technology solutions and program/project management expertise to help solve critical issues impacting the health, safety and security of the world around us. Since 1986, federal agencies have relied on Macfadden for mission critical support in the areas of international disaster coordination and humanitarian assistance, geographic information systems, compliance and monitoring support, –knowledge management, and systems engineering and integration.

Macfadden is proud of our long term partnerships with our clients and our goal is to always exceed their expectations. From rapid delivery of personnel and funds to the scene of a humanitarian crisis to the development of sustainable economic infrastructure; from compliance support to maintaining critical IT financial systems, Macfadden delivers results. We provide responsive, flexible and innovative approaches and technologies to help our clients succeed in their critical missions. With more than 200 employees, Macfadden is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland with multiple client site operations worldwide.

When you become a Macfadden employee-owner, you will be working with a team of competent, experienced professional who care deeply about your success. That's what sets us apart and drives our commitment to our customers.

Key Internal Interfaces:  Program Manager, Strategic Communications Team Lead, HPGE Team

Key External Interfaces: Public, interagency

The Inter Agency Specialist will be responsible for providing support to the Team Leader for interagency and Strategic Engagement within the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA).  The Inter Agency Specialist will be a member of the Humanitarian Policy and Global Engagement Division. 

                  Education:           B.A. in International Studies, Public Administration or related field.  Advanced Degree Preferred.

                  Experience:        

·         6-8 years of professional experience, with experience working for a federal agency.

·         Must have experience working on international humanitarian and disaster relief issues, U.S. Government agencies, and strategic messaging. 

·         Experience working on interagency coordination.

Required:

•          Excellent written and verbal communications skills with a strong attention to detail required.
•          Excellent interpersonal skills, highly collaborative, and builds strong relationships at all levels.
•          Ability to work effectively as part of a team but also to function independently.
•          Proven familiarity with disaster relief issues.
•          Experience with U.S. Government agencies a plus.
•          International experience preferred.
•          Familiarity with development of training materials and PowerPoint presentations.
•          U.S. Citizenship is required; selected candidate must be able to qualify for a government sponsored security clearance.

Preferred: Proficiency in a foreign language, international experience

Key Accountabilities:

This individual will work closely with other members of the interagency team to assist in the drafting and development of plans for interagency coordination and to assist in the development of training.

Essential Functions:

      Planning

•          Assist in convening internal meetings to discuss operational planning for disaster response.
•          Assist in drafting operational plans for disaster response.
•          Work with other federal agencies to determine what capabilities they can provide for an international disaster response.
•          Work with OFDA finance and operations on drifting language for pre-identified interagency agreements.
•          Help organize quarterly interagency meetings on disaster issues.

Training

•       Assist in the development of training modules for OFDA’s interagency training course on disaster response and the international humanitarian architecture to include slides, videos, simulations, reading materials, etc.
•       Work with other OFDA Divisions to ensure that the interagency training modules have the most current slides.
•       Coordinate with OFDA’s Training Unit and provide support on the registration process.
•       Review and analyze what the United Nations and other humanitarian entities currently provide on disaster response training. Recommend whether OFDA should incorporate any part of the UN training, e.g. videos, simulations, etc. If so, coordinate with the UN for permission.
•       Help coordinate and schedule training course speaking engagements.
•       Work with OFDA IT to make sure that all technical elements of the training (e.g. slides, video, VTC, etc) can be delivered on the day of the training.
•       Draft and implement a plan of major activities that must take place to host the interagency training course, e.g. registration, printing materials, IT support, etc. Include a timeline of when these activities must be completed.

Other duties as required.

In order to be considered for this position applicants must provide a cover letter explaining why they would be a good addition to the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, referencing OFDA's mandate, and how this position fits into their career development.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.  The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.

This position description reflects Macfadden's assignment of essential functions; nothing in this job description restricts the Company's latitude to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.