Cherokee Federal
Syrian Cultural Advisor, Iraq
Full Time Travel
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Syrian Cultural Advisor, Iraq
Summary
The Syrian Cultural Advisors will support the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Syria regional Platform (SRP) office. Travel to and within the many areas of Syria by office staff has been prohibited or restricted.
Syrian Cultural Advisors are Syrian nationals with specific knowledge, experience, and an existing network of contacts in Political, Economic, Commercial, Military, Public Affairs, Humanitarian Assistance, Civil Society, or Law Enforcement. The Syrian Cultural advisor will both independently and at the direction of START officers, provide subject matter expertise and insights into developments within and affecting Syria, will use their existing network of contacts to and open-source information to produce professionally written, detailed analysis of Syrian news and events. The Syrian Cultural Advisor to facilitate communications between SRP staff and Levantine Arabic speakers and contacts as required.
Officers within SRP will be assigned to supervise SCAs, who will operate in the provinces. Officers with these oversight roles will be designated "USG Representatives."
Please apply online
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Syrian Cultural Advisor works independently but reports directly to their assigned USG Representative who assigns work in terms of the general objectives to be accomplished and provides policy guidance as needed. The SCA independently plans and carries out assigned responsibilities.
The SCA informs the USG Representatives of issues with widespread impact. Completed work is reviewed for the accomplishment of overall objectives and for thoroughness of analyses and soundness of advice and guidance. Recommendations for action and solutions to problems are normally accepted without significant change.
The SCAs may work in any location but will keep hours during Arabic Standard Time and serve the following functions:
Serve as the liaison and point of contact with provincial leadership, political parties and other assigned leaders
Arrange and attend meetings between SRP representatives and local officials, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other prominent individuals and organizations
Monitor and report on political developments, educational institutions, economic and business sector developments, assistance programs [1], and essential services delivery
Respond to requests for information from the Embassy and prepare spot reports as required on provincial developments
Track and report on local and provincial media, including radio, television, newspapers and websites, for news which impacts the province or U.S. policy
Assist in facilitating consular services, particularly American Citizen Services, as tasked
Assist in facilitating educational and cultural exchanges, as requested by USG Representatives
Assisting in trade and business facilitation, as requested by USG Representatives
Assist in identifying and supporting the selection of candidates for visitor and exchange programs
Offer informal interpretation and translation services as requested
Serve as liaison with universities, schools, NGOs, and other institutions
Act as Point of Contact (POC) for RSO at Personal Security Detail (PSD) movement destinations
Assist in the monitoring of grants and making recommendations regarding humanitarian and stabilization programs.
Other duties as assigned.
Special Provisions
Distance Learning Writing Training: The Contractor shall provide distance learning training in English writing skills through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) or its equivalent for ICAs on a regular basis, and other training as needed.
Secure Email Communication: The Contractor shall provide for email communications methods encrypted to industry-accepted standards, such as Pretty Good Privacy (PGP).
Life and Disability Insurance: The Contractor shall provide life and disability insurance in the event of death or debilitating injury during their work.
Outside Employment: Employment with a political entity is strictly prohibited. All other employment and advisory positions with political, governmental, and corporate entities (including unpaid) outside of the SCA contract must be disclosed to the USG to assess any potential conflicts of interest.
Evaluation: The Contractor shall discuss the performance and review requirements of the position of all SCAs and SMEs with the COR and Government representatives at least every six months.
Education and Experience
Education and Experience required will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on the area of expertise and subject matter expertise needed by position.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The individual needs to possess sufficient linguistic expertise to engage in discussions across all sectors of interest. Individual must be multi-lingual, and able to read, write and/or translate potential languages used within the province to which they are assigned - English, Arabic, Kurdish or Turkmen. The individual must be able to work independently. The individual must possess extensive contacts and direct access to local decision-makers involved with all activities in the province, as well as the interpersonal skills necessary to maintain these contacts and develop new contacts as necessary. They must demonstrate an understanding of U.S. policy in Iraq and the surrounding region, and the ability to keep on top of these developments. They must demonstrate skill in written communication, memoranda, briefing materials, responses to inquiries, and a wide range of other written materials. They must demonstrate skill in oral communication to provide advice and guidance, present briefings, conduct meetings, and publicly articulate USG policy in a variety of formats. They must possess the necessary good judgment to operate in an often tense and/or dangerous security environment.
Language(s)
Level 4/4 in English is required.
Level 4/4 in Levantine Arabic is required.
Clearance Level
US Citizen personnel: MRPT determination issued by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS/SI/PSS) prior to contract performance.
Third Country National (TCN) and Local National (LN) personnel: Vetting Approval by host country Regional Security Officer (RSO) in accordance with local standards and Overseas Vetting Guidelines
Please apply online
Work Enironment
This position may be located in a war zone, in an environment with harsh and dangerous working and living conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to extreme and austere desert-like environment. Temperatures can reach 120- 130 degrees Fahrenheit/50- 55 degrees Celsius during the summer months. Employees must be willing and able to perform regular job requirements in this austere, extreme environment, as well as willing and able to deploy to Iraq for extended periods. Work schedules are a minimum of 6 days per week and 8 hours per day, while some jobs have higher daily and weekly minimums. Employees must be willing and able to perform physical activities including, but not limited to, heavy lifting and moving of items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum; climbing in and out of equipment; crawling; and working outdoors. This includes being able to lift and carry 40 pounds of personal protective equipment for extended periods of time and being capable of running and ‘duck & cover’ during emergencies without putting oneself or others at risk.
