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Ambassador at Large for the Office of Global Criminal Justice

Ambassador at Large for the Office of Global Criminal Justice, Department of State
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2023, the Office of Global Criminal Justice had an adjusted enacted budget of $4.17 million and 20 personnel.3

Primary Responsibilities
  • Sets GCJ priorities, allocates resources and provides overall coordination and management, including the recruitment and selection of personnel to carry out the office’s functions.
  • Provides policy counsel at all decision-making levels on matters relating to the integration of justice and accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and ethnic cleansing) atrocities into U.S. foreign policy.4
  • Coordinates U.S. government positions relating to the international and hybrid courts currently prosecuting persons responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
  • Works closely with other governments, international institutions and nongovernmental organizations to establish and assist international and domestic commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions and tribunals to investigate, document and prosecute atrocities in every region of the globe.
  • Supports U.S. diplomats operating in conflict and post-conflict scenarios by providing subject matter expertise regarding atrocity crimes.
  • Implements the Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program that provides rewards to people who provide information leading to the capture and conviction of indicted war criminals.
  • Participates in the Atrocity Early Warning Task Force, which coordinates U.S. government efforts to prevent, mitigate, and respond to atrocities.5
Strategic Goals and Priorities
Depends on the policy priorities of the administration
Requirements
  • Professional background and expertise in international criminal law and policy.
  • Previous agency experience strongly preferred.
  • Ability to conduct high-level diplomatic communication from department leadership to international and regional entities.
  • Proven advocacy and leadership for justice and accountability regarding war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and ethnic cleansing.
  • Previous management experience in policy or law offices strongly preferred.
Competencies
  • Strong diplomatic and communication skills, particularly with federal and international leadership.
  • Ability to establish and maintain relationships with federal lawmakers and leadership.
  • Ability to act as an interlocutor on international criminal tribunals and other investigative mechanisms.
Past Appointments
  • Beth Van Schaack (2022 to present): Visiting Professor for Human Rights, Stanford Law School; executive editor, Just Security; Nonresident Senior Associate for the Human Rights Initiative, Center for Strategic and International Studies.6
  • Morse Tan (2020 to 2021): Visiting Scholar, Northwestern University; professor of law, Northern Illinois University; visiting scholar and senior research fellow, the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.7
  • Stephen J. Rapp (2009 to 2015): Prosecutor of the Special Court, Office of the Prosecutor, The Special Court for Sierra Leone; chief of prosecutions, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; senior trial attorney, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.8
AGENCY

Department of State

Mission: The Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy, and the secretary of state is the president’s principal foreign policy advisor.

COMPENSATION

Level IV $176,300 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)2

REPORTS TO

Undersecretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights; secretary of state

SENATE COMMITTEE

Foreign Relations

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Footnote
  1. https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-civilian-security-democracy-and-human-rights/office-of-global-criminal-justice/
  2. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/22Tables/exec/html/EX.aspx
  3. https://edit.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/508-compliant-FY-2024-CBJ-Appendix-1-Full-Document-Proof-Review-Complete.pdf
  4. https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0040.html#M045_8
  5. https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-global-criminal-justice/
  6. Leadership Directories.
  7. Leadership Directories.
  8. Leadership Directories.
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