International Affairs Specialist

Are you skilled at turning complex international policy, cybersecurity, and stakeholder information into clear products for senior leaders? Do you thrive while coordinating high-level engagements, interagency partners, and fast-moving taskings in a federal environment?

Avid Core is seeking an International Affairs Specialist to support the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Stakeholder Engagement Division, International Affairs. As a subcontractor to a prime federal contractor, Avid Core is building a team to advance CISA's international engagement mission and U.S. cybersecurity and critical infrastructure priorities abroad. This is a contingent-hire opportunity pending contract award.

To Apply: Submit your resume, a cover letter or brief note describing your relevant international affairs or CISA/DHS experience, and your current clearance level and adjudication date.

Candidates from all backgrounds are welcome to apply for our open positions and to join our bench of talented professionals.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $95,000, based on experience and qualifications.

Overall Responsibilities:

- Support CISA International leadership and International Affairs advisors in executing CISA's international priorities, including coordination with the DHS Office of Policy, the Department of State, and other interagency partners

- Organize, prepare for, and support bilateral and multilateral engagements, meetings, exchanges, and cooperative activities with foreign governments and international partners

- Develop, write, edit, and clear briefing materials, decision memos, talking points, situation reports, readouts, presentations, and other products for senior officials

- Prepare detailed international and domestic travel schedules, coordinate logistics, and manage visa and passport request processes

- Participate in virtual engagements with international partners, including outside normal core hours when needed to accommodate other time zones

- Track taskings, clearances, and deliverables to ensure materials are completed on time and preparation needs are anticipated before engagements

- Manage stakeholder contact information, engagement history, and records in CISA relationship-management tools and file systems

- Monitor international and domestic policy and economic developments to identify emerging issues and support strategy development

- Coordinate intra-agency and interagency working groups, including agenda development, note-taking, and preparation of readouts

- Travel domestically and internationally as needed to support engagement objectives

- Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Skills:

- At least 3 years of relevant experience in program analysis, business analysis, international affairs, policy, or stakeholder engagement, ideally within a federal, national security, or intelligence community setting

- Demonstrated experience preparing executive-level briefing materials, decision memos, or similar products for senior government leadership

- Experience coordinating logistics and materials for high-level engagements, meetings, or international travel

- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex policy, technical, or intelligence information into clear, actionable products

- Ability to work effectively across interagency and international stakeholder groups

- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint; experience with data visualization or reporting tools is a plus

- Active TS/SCI clearance preferred; candidates with an active Public Trust and the ability to obtain a higher clearance will also be considered

- Direct experience supporting CISA, DHS, or another federal agency's international engagement, stakeholder engagement, or interagency coordination mission strongly preferred

- Prior experience as an Action Officer, Task Lead, or in a similar role supporting international or regional engagement portfolios preferred

- Familiarity with CISA's mission, structure, and Strategic Plan, or comparable DHS component experience preferred

- Experience managing high-volume tasking workflows in fast-turnaround, 24- to 48-hour environments preferred

- Prior experience supporting cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, or national security engagement programs preferred

We're looking for someone who is:

- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities

- Proactive in anticipating briefing, logistics, clearance, and engagement-preparation needs

- A clear and concise writer who can tailor complex information for senior government leaders

- Diplomatic, professional, and comfortable engaging across agency, interagency, and international stakeholder groups

- Responsive and dependable in fast-turnaround environments

- Comfortable supporting virtual engagements outside normal core hours when international time zones require it

- Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with a mission-focused team

Education:

Bachelor's degree in International Affairs, Political Science, Security Studies, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. An advanced degree in a related field is preferred.

Benefits:

- Comprehensive health insurance

- Vision, dental, and short-term and long-term disability

- 401K with employer match (after six months of employment)

- Federal and non-federal paid holidays

- Flexible paid time off

- Generous bonus program based on firm and individual performance

- An opportunity to learn and grow in an inclusive and supportive environment with a fun team

Location:

The position is based in the Washington, D.C. metro area and follows a hybrid schedule, with on-site work required as needed.

Work is generally performed during core hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Occasional off-hours availability is required to accommodate international time zones. Domestic and international travel is required in support of engagement objectives.

This position is contingent upon contract award. The anticipated period of performance begins on or after September 2027.

Candidates will be provided with a computer; however, they must have a steady internet connection and a phone.

Accommodation:

Avid Core is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we provide reasonable accommodation as needed. Contact [email protected] to request an accommodation to participate in the job application and/or interview process.

Avid Core is an award-winning small woman-owned business headquartered in Northern Virginia with employees throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area. We provide effective professional services and communications support to public and private sector clients.

Avid Core is an equal-opportunity employer and operates a drug-free workplace.