PD_State_Coordinator-for-Counterterrorism

Position Description

COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM, DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Overview

Senate Committee

Foreign Relations

Agency Mission

The Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy, and the secretary is the president’s principal foreign policy advisor.

Position Overview

The coordinator for counterterrorism forges partnerships with foreign governments, multilateral organizations and nonstate actors to advance the counterterrorism objectives and national security of the United States.¹ _{https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/101435.pdf}

Compensation

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)² _{The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.}

Position Reports to

Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights

Responsibilities

Management Scope

The Bureau of Counterterrorism had a budget of $9.391 million in fiscal 2015.³ The coordinator for counterterrorism had approximately 21 direct reports in 2012.⁴ _{https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/252179.pdf Romney Readiness Project position description}

Primary Responsibilities

® Serves as an advisor to the secretary and other department officials on counterterrorism policy, strategy, threats and operations
® Develops coordinated strategies to prevent terrorism and defeat terrorists abroad and secures the cooperation of international partners toward those ends
® Manages and has oversight responsibility for several U.S. foreign assistance programs
® Designs, manages and oversees foreign assistance to build the civilian capabilities of foreign government partners to prevent and counterterrorism and violent extremism in an effective and sustainable fashion
® Supports foreign efforts to build law enforcement and judicial capabilities to prevent and mitigate attacks; disrupt terrorist transit; and arrest, investigate, prosecute and incarcerate terrorists in accordance with the rule of law
® Promotes the leadership of other countries to build capacity in third-world countries in their regions
® Strengthens partnerships and initiatives involving governmental and nongovernmental actors to prevent violent extremism⁵ _{https://www.state.gov/j/ct/programs/index.htm}
® Coordinates closely with other state department components and interagency components⁶ _OPM

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Background in analyzing, preventing or combating international terrorism
® Knowledge of the civilian side of counterterrorism and related international cooperation and capacity-building issues

Competencies

® Strong communication and negotiation skills to work effectively with foreign countries and other agencies
® Ability to work under high pressure
® Ability to handle sensitive matters
® Ability to work across partisan lines

Past Appointees

Tina S. Kaidanow (2014 to 2016): Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy in Kabul; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs; Deputy Assistant Secretary responsible for issues related to Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Caucasus, Department of State⁷ _{https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/80149.htm}
Daniel Benjamin (2009 to 2012): Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies and Director of the Center on the United States and Europe, Brookings Institution; Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Affairs in Washington; Jennings Randolph Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, Foreign Policy Speechwriter, National Security Council, Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton⁸ _{http://dickey.dartmouth.edu/people/daniel-benjamin}
Dell L. Dailey (2007 to 2009): Director of the Bureau of Counterterrorism⁹; Joint Special Operations Command¹⁰; Director, Center for Special Operations¹¹ _{https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/dailey-dell-l http://www.allgov.com/officials/dailey-dell?officialid=28673 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/23/AR2007082302031.html}
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