International Negotiations Program Assistant (26-39)

Creative Corrections is actively recruiting exceptional candidates to be considered for an International Negotiations Program Assistant position located in Washington, DC. This will be a contract role within the U.S.  Department of State. The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous and secure world.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) keeps Americans safe by countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.

INL’s Front Office International Negotiations Unit (INL/FO/IN) leads the Bureau’s engagement in key international fora to combat cross-border and organized crime, drug trafficking, and related issues within the bureau. Specifically, the International Negotiations Unit facilitates strategic and substantive planning for engagement in international fora; works with INL offices, regional bureaus, overseas posts, other functional bureaus, and others in the U.S. interagency; drafts substantive briefing materials to support senior-level U.S. participation in international meetings; and engages in international negotiations on meeting outcomes, as required. The Unit’s team members also serve as subject matter experts on these drug control and crime-related issues. The Unit engages with a range of international drug control and anti-crime fora, including with the Group of Seven (G-7), the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and dialogues with the European Union. In addition, the Unit manages Bureau foreign assistance funding through a dedicated budget line item.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this order will be one (01) year from the date of award with the option to extend for six (06) months subject to performance, need, and funding.

This position is contingent upon award of contract for BPA Call.

POSITION OVERVIEW

TITLE: International Negotiations Program Assistant

LOCATION: Washington, DC.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: A Secret security clearance is required for this position; however, the contractor may begin work with an interim Secret security clearance.

CLOSING DATE: August 17, 2026

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

International Negotiations: Support for Funding

• Assists in the coordination of INL/FO/IN’s funding to the United Nations (UN) and other International Organizations (IO).
• Assists in coordinating processes for and preparing for USG review and approval of, including clearance and signature, legally binding letters of agreement (LoA) with international organizations.
• Assists in coordinating processes for and preparing for USG review and approval, including clearance, Anticipated Performance Completion End Date Adjustments (APCEDA).
• Assists INL/FO/IN in its outreach with INL Program Offices to address and resolve implementation challenges and assists INL/FO/IN in its efforts to ensure that each IO is satisfying the terms and conditions of the LOA.
• Assists INL/FO/IN in records management related to LOAs with IOs.
• Assists in analyzing Bureau trends related to Bureau funding for IOs, including through the development of charts, graphs and analytical memos.

International Negotiations: Support for Interagency Delegation Preparations

• Works as part of a team responsible for coordinating U.S. participation in international negotiations, in support of the INL/FO/IN Supervisory Foreign Affairs Officer and other team members.
• Coordinates and supports U.S. delegations to drug control related meetings, including the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the U.S. EU Political Dialogue on Drugs.
• Provides logistics and administrative support; prepares documentation, briefing materials, and all other necessary correspondence and organizational and obligating documents related to international negotiations and expert groups.
• Supports INL efforts to liaise with the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna (UNVIE) and other posts, as needed, by coordinating logistical arrangements for U.S. delegations, including working with post to secure hotel reservations, delegation meeting rooms, travel meeting schedules, U.S.-hosted side-events and other meetings, and provide other support, as needed.
• Works with the U.S. interagency to coordinate substantive input in the development of U.S. position papers on meeting agenda items.
• Coordinates substantive inputs within the Bureau and with the U.S. interagency, as needed, for the creation of U.S. position papers for INL Front Office bilateral meetings and agenda item discussions.
• Provides administrative support to the INL Front Office for bilateral meetings and other discussions related to international negotiations and meetings.
• Supports the preparation of reporting cables on the overall meetings and INL Front Office bilateral meetings.
• Supports INL/FO/IN on drafting, reviewing and amending procurement requests and other documents required to obligate funding through the Global Drugs and Crime Policy budget lines, including contracts, grants and letters of agreement with international organizations, as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• U.S. Citizen.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
• Two to four years’ experience in relevant field;
• Demonstrated ability to work on projects and issues within overall policy guidelines;
• Demonstrated skilled in oral and written communication, sufficient to draft action and info memos, congressional testimony, press guidance and congressional and general correspondence;
• Knowledge of international narcotics and law enforcement issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing,
• Demonstrated ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation with regard to the interpretation and application of analysis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience working with the Department of State.
• Demonstrated prior experience supporting or working within the Department of State’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau.
• At least two (02) years of experience in providing administrative and logistical support.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the obligating mechanisms, namely LOAs, used by INL in its engagement with International Organizations.
• Demonstrated experience with international organizations or international negotiation settings preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing programs focused on drug control and/or criminal justice, preferably with INL.