Senior Counternarcotics and Illicit Finance / Corruption Advisor (Palau, 1099)

The Senior Counternarcotics and Illicit Finance/Corruption Advisor will support the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) by deploying to Palau to provide mentorship and technical assistance that strengthens the country's capacity to detect, investigate, and prosecute narcotics trafficking, cross-border crime, illicit finance, corruption, and foreign criminal influence. Support will enhance investigative tradecraft, case-building skills, interagency coordination, and the overall professionalism and effectiveness of Palau's law enforcement agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• This advisor will focus on narcotics trafficking, associated illicit finance, and corruption risks linked to foreign criminal networks, with an emphasis on complex investigations that cut across borders and sectors.
• Mentor investigative units and prosecutors on planning and executing complex narcotics and related corruption cases, including integrating financial investigative techniques.
• Advise on prioritization of high-impact narcotics cases that have significant public-safety or corruption implications, including foreign-linked criminal influence.
• Support development of case coordination mechanisms among police, customs, financial intelligence, and prosecutorial authorities.
• Develop a mentoring and training plan that identifies priority investigative units, case types, and skills gaps.
• Provide on-the-job mentoring to investigators.
• Provide recommendations to senior leadership.
• The advisor will be primarily on-site in Palau for approximately eight (8) months, operating side-by-side with investigators and prosecutors to provide tailored mentoring.
• Instructional approaches will include case-based learning, review of real or mock case files, scenario-based exercises, and targeted group trainings, combined with individual mentoring.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be employed in the respective lines of work for which they are being considered (i.e., police officer, prosecutor, law enforcement advisor, etc.) or be recently retired/separated within the last five (5) years.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills. Ability to communicate in English (FSI Standard level four for writing, reading comprehension, speaking for U.S. citizens).
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to operate a standard transmission vehicle.
• Good health and be able to pass requisite physical, medical, and psychological tests if required for assigned mission/country and be able to sustain a deployment up to nine (9) months.
• Valid U.S. passport for at least six months at all times.
• The ability and willingness to train other individuals in their area of expertise.
• Unblemished background.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant operational experience leading complex narcotics and transnational organized crime investigations.
• Demonstrated experience integrating financial investigative techniques into narcotics and organized crime cases.
• Experience investigating corruption linked to criminal networks, including foreign-linked influence and bribery schemes.
• Prior service in a senior investigative, supervisory, or task force leadership role focused on narcotics, organized crime, or complex investigations.
• Experience working with prosecutors on case development, including evidence strategy, charging decisions, and trial preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach investigators and supervisors on case planning, investigative techniques, and case file development.
• Experience developing or refining standard operating procedures, investigative guidelines, or policy documents related to narcotics and financial crime.
• Familiarity with anti-money laundering frameworks, asset tracing, seizure, and forfeiture tools relevant to narcotics and corruption cases.
• Experience in joint or interagency operations involving police, customs, financial/intelligence units, and prosecutors.
• Prior experience working in small-state, island, or similarly resource-constrained environments.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including preparation of clear analytical reports, guidance, and training materials.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior law enforcement and justice-sector leadership, including ministers, attorneys general, and national security officials.