PD_State_Undersecretary-for-Civilian-Security-Democracy-and-Human-Rights

Position Description

Undersecretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights, Department of state

Overview

Senate Committee

Foreign Relations

Agency Mission

The Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy.

Position Overview

The undersecretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights coordinates U.S. foreign policy on a variety of transnational issues, including humanitarian efforts, human rights and labor issues, the combating of terrorism, trafficking in persons, illicit drug activity, and the documentation of war crimes and atrocities.

Compensation

Level III $165,300 (5 U.S.C. § 5314)¹ _{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

Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary of State² _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Responsibilities

Management Scope

The department consists of more than 13,500 foreign service officers, 10,500 civil service and 5,500 foreign service nationals working at approximately 270 posts around the world. The undersecretary leads five bureaus: the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration; the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement; the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations; the Bureau of Counterterrorism; and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and three offices: the Office of Global Criminal Justice; the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; and the Office of Global Youth. The undersecretary has an immediate staff of approximately 14 people and manages the largest budget in the department.³ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Primary Responsibilities

® Contributes to the security of the American people and nations around the world by assisting countries to build more democratic, secure, stable and just societies
® Serves as principal policy advisor to the secretary and deputy secretary on a wide range of global and security matters
® Oversees policy changes and ensures implementation, including programmatic operations
® Oversees and manages stabilization operations as well as U.S. response to humanitarian and natural disasters
® Works closely with the National Security Council staff, the U.S. mission to the United Nations, the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the director of national intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Office of the Vice President, the Office of Management and Budget and the Treasury Department⁴ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}
® Coordinates U.S. foreign policy on the environment and oceans, health, science, population, refugees, migration and women’s issues
® Provides leadership and direction in coordinating and executing related programs and initiatives, and directs the negotiation and implementation of any international agreements as requested
® Assists the secretary and deputy secretaries by attending senior-level meetings with the White House upon request, and represents the department’s position by testifying before congressional committees and appearing in the media
® Reconciles policy differences among assistant secretaries before presenting unified proposals to the secretary and deputy secretaries
® Coordinates closely with senior officials from other departments and agencies as well as nongovernment organizations⁵ _OPM

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Extensive management experience
® Substantive expertise in international affairs
® Strong relationships with Congress and United Nations bodies
® Knowledge of how the State Department operates⁶ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Competencies

® Effective public relations and speaking abilities
® Proven negotiation skills
® High level of energy for extensive foreign travel and interactions⁷ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Past Appointees

Sarah Sewall (2014 to 2017): Member, Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee, Policy, Department of Defense; Trustee, Board of Trustees, CNA; Director, Board of Directors, Oxfam America⁸ _{Leadership Directories}
Maria Otero (2009 to 2013): Member, Advisory Council, Inter-American Foundation; Committee Decision Maker, Advisory Committee on Democracy Promotion, Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Department of State; Co-Chair, Religion and Foreign Policy Working Group, Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Department of State⁹ _{Leadership Directories}
Paula J. Dobriansky (2001 to 2005): Senior Vice President and Director, Washington Office, Council on Foreign Relations; George F. Kennan Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Council on Foreign Relations; Co-Chair, International TV Council, Corporation for Public Broadcasting¹⁰ _{Leadership Directories}
The Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition helps ensure the efficient transfer of power that our country deserves. The Center’s Ready to Govern· initiative assists candidates with the transition, works with Congress to reform the transition process, develops management recommendations to address our government’s operational challenges, and trains new political appointees.