SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT Professional Training Consultant

About the Opportunity

We are building a bench of highly qualified subject matter experts and professional training consultants to support a robust portfolio of intensive, week-long professional development courses serving the U.S. foreign affairs community. These are not entry-level engagements, we are seeking recognized authorities in their fields who can engage experienced, senior-level adult learners with intellectual rigor, practical relevance, and dynamic instruction.

Engagements are project-based and may occur multiple times throughout the year. Instructors are engaged on an as-needed basis aligned to a published course calendar. Both in-person delivery at a government training facility in the Washington, DC area and virtual/hybrid formats are utilized.

Areas of Expertise Sought

We are seeking consultants with deep expertise across a wide range of international, regional, and functional disciplines. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Regional & Area Studies: Expertise in one or more specific world regions, sub-regions, or countries, with command of political, historical, economic, cultural, and security dynamics:
  
  
  
  • Sub-Saharan Africa (regional, East Africa/Horn, Central Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa)
  
  
  • East Asia and the Pacific (Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia/Pacific Islands)
  
  
  • South and Central Asia
  
  
  • Near East and North Africa
  
  
  • Europe and Eurasia (including Russia, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Western/Southern Europe)
  
  
  • Western Hemisphere (North/Central America, South America, Caribbean)
  
  
  • Global and Cross-Regional Issues
  
  
  
  


• Economic, Energy & Commercial Affairs: Global economics, energy markets, international trade, or commercial diplomacy; ESTH (environment, science, technology, and health) tradecraft a strong plus.


• Political Affairs & Foreign Policy Tradecraft: Political analysis, diplomatic tradecraft, international relations, or U.S. foreign policy formulation and implementation.


• Management & Leadership: Organizational management, leadership development, or public administration in government or international contexts.


• Consular & Citizen Services: U.S. consular operations, visa policy, American Citizen Services, or related legal and administrative frameworks.


• Public Diplomacy & Strategic Communications: International public engagement, media strategy, cultural diplomacy, or communications in a foreign affairs context.


• Orientation & Professional Development: Professional onboarding, career transition training, or leadership immersion for senior-level professionals.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree required; PhD strongly preferred


• Minimum 5 years of substantive, recognized expertise in a relevant field, evidenced by published works, academic appointments, senior government or intergovernmental service, policy leadership, media engagement, or equivalent professional distinction


• Minimum 5 years of experience delivering professional training, academic instruction, or facilitation for experienced adult learners, with demonstrated command of interactive, discussion-based, and participant-centered approaches


• Ability to develop, update, and refine instructional materials including pre-course readings, facilitator guides, and session plans


• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities under deadline, and collaborate effectively with program staff and coordinators


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and virtual learning platforms (Zoom, Teams, WebEx)


• Fluent written and spoken English required

Highly Desired

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant discipline


• Experience living or working overseas in the applicable region


• Language fluency relevant to assigned regional area


• Prior experience instructing government or foreign affairs professionals (State Department, USAID, interagency, or equivalent)


• Experience designing or delivering online and hybrid courses


• Background in instructional design or adult learning theory

What to Expect

Engagements are structured around one-week intensive courses and may involve:

• Delivery of 6–7 hours of daily instruction, inclusive of facilitated discussion, guest speaker coordination, and group activities


• Pre-course preparation including materials review, content updates, and coordination with program staff


• Post-course feedback review and recommendations for continuous improvement


• Occasional virtual or hybrid delivery and, in some cases, domestic or international travel


• Coordination with guest subject matter experts participating in your course sessions

We maintain a standing roster of qualified consultants and reach out as course assignments become available. Submission of materials does not guarantee an engagement but establishes eligibility for consideration.

CRG is an equal opportunity employer. We make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business need. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other state or federally protected category.