Government-to-Government Risk and Acquisition Specialist

G2G Risk & Acquisition Specialist

Position Overview

The
G2G Risk & Acquisition Specialist provides direct operational support for
the execution of Government-to-Government (G2G) portfolios. This role functions
as a technical specialist responsible for conducting
risk assessments, managing procurement files, and ensuring that all activities
adhere to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the specific bilateral
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Contextual Considerations: The MOU & G2G Framework

• Bilateral Alignment: The Specialist must verify that every acquisition and fiduciary activity adheres to the 'spirit of partnership' defined in the MOU. This requires aligning USG procurement rigor with host-country national priorities to ensure assistance strengthens internal government systems rather than bypassing them.
• Dual-Track Compliance: A core responsibility is managing the day-to-day tension between the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR/CFR) and local host-country legal frameworks. The Specialist is tasked with implementing 'middle-ground' solutions that maintain USG audit standards while utilizing local systems to the maximum extent permitted.
• Capacity Diplomacy: Unlike traditional oversight, this role treats risk mitigation as a hands-on development tool. The Specialist identifies specific gaps in host-government institutions and provides the technical mentorship and training necessary to move partner ministries toward sustainable self-reliance.
• Operational Feedback Loop: The Specialist serves as a field-level sensor, capturing 'friction points' such as local market limitations or public financial management (PFM) bottlenecks. These observations are translated into technical recommendations for Headquarters to ensure global strategy is grounded in field-level implementation.
• Navigating Political Sensitivities: Because G2G work occurs in fluid political environments, the Specialist must use cultural intelligence to manage technical oversight without impeding diplomatic objectives at the Ministry or Embassy levels.

Operational Workstreams

• Risk Assessment Direction: Direct the performance of Stage 2 Ministry-level Risk Assessments, providing on-site or virtual guidance to contractor teams to finalize the scope and draft comprehensive risk reports.
• Tool Standardization: Ensure all teams utilize applicable G2G tools and templates for planning, fieldwork, and reporting to maintain consistency across all ministry-level assessments.
• Workpaper Review: Review interim and final working papers from assessment teams to confirm the adequacy of the nature, timing, and extent of procedures and tests performed.
• Mitigation Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of financial management corrective actions and risk mitigation plans, supporting and securing necessary approvals from the Chief of Mission.

Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) Strategy

• Procurement Package Preparation: Coordinate the development of complete procurement packages, including program approval, market research, industry engagement, and detailed budget estimates.
• Solicitation Management: Prepare and issue solicitation documents (RFPs, RFQs, NOFOs) in accordance with the FAR and Department of State policies while ensuring alignment with MOU commitments.
• Evaluation Oversight: Oversee the technical evaluation of submissions, perform cost and price analyses, and prepare selection packages (negotiation memoranda, award selection documentation) for signing authorities.
• Award Administration: Administer post-award implementation by tracking expenditures, reviewing performance reports, and executing modifications such as incremental funding or no-cost extensions.

Field-to-HQ Strategic Liaison

• Systemic Issue Analysis: Systematically gather 'friction points' from Embassy teams-such as disbursement delays or reporting hurdles-to identify systemic operational issues rather than one-off complaints.
• Technical Translation: Translate field-level implementation challenges into formal technical recommendations for HQ to refine SOPs, process templates, and G2G implementation guides.
• Interlocutor Services: Serve as the primary technical bridge between DC-based staff and Embassy technical teams to ensure headquarters' strategy is operationally feasible before field rollout.
• Knowledge Transfer: Facilitate 'Lessons Learned' sessions to refine the G2G toolkit based on actual in-country performance and stakeholder feedback.

Systems Strengthening & Capacity Diplomacy

• Technical Mentorship: Provide hands-on training and technical assistance to partner government staff to enhance their understanding of financial controls, audit readiness, and accurate reporting.
• Oversight Implementation: Advise on and establish oversight mechanisms, such as spot checks and third-party verifications, to strengthen accountability within host-country systems.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Manage effective working relationships with audit firms, the G2G risk management core team, and Embassy staff to ensure transparent communication of risk findings.
• PFM Integration: Stay informed on host-country public financial management (PFM) reform efforts to ensure USG-funded activities are complementary to broader national strengthening activities.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of professional experience in accounting, auditing, or financial management, with at least 3 years specifically focused on USG acquisition or international development projects.
• Certifications: Professional certification (CPA, CIA, CFCM or FAC-C) is preferred. Candidates must demonstrate an equivalent mastery of both audit principles and federal acquisition regulations.

Core Competencies & Professional Attributes

• Technical Compliance & Accuracy: Demonstrated understanding of USG regulatory frameworks to design and implement G2G, specifically within the FAR, CFR, and/or risk assessment frameworks.
• Operational Process Management: Strong ability to manage the technical lifecycle of multiple procurement actions simultaneously, ensuring that deadlines for risk assessments, solicitations, evaluations, and awards are met without compromising quality.
• Fiduciary Rigor: Meticulous attention to detail in reviewing financial workpapers, performing cost/price analyses, and monitoring host-country expenditures to safeguard U.S. taxpayer funds.
• Collaborative Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication skills required to liaise with host-country Ministry officials and provide clear, step-by-step explanations of complex USG procurement processes to non-experts.
• Capacity Building & Mentorship: Proven ability to provide hands-on technical training to local partners, translating identified risk gaps into actionable institutional strengthening and self-reliance.
• Systems Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in standard office software and enterprise-level procurement systems (e.g., PRISM or similar) for the accurate tracking of awards and financial disbursements.
• Cross-Cultural Adaptability: Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a cross-cultural, international environment, navigating local legal frameworks while maintaining USG standards.
• Organizational Reliability: Strong time management and organizational capabilities to handle a high-volume workload of administrative and technical tasks within a high-pressure mission environment.
• Language: Fluency in English (Level IV) and proficiency in the host country's official language is required.

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