Office of Strategic Planning and Outreach (ISN/SPO)

MISSION STATEMENT

This office will engage in strategic thinking and conduct long-range planning, program analysis and evaluation, and outreach efforts in support of Department and USG international security priorities. It will be responsible for coordinating with all T bureaus to ensure that existing policies and activities in the area of political-military affairs, international security and nonproliferation, and implementation of agreements in these areas reflect the dynamic security environment in which the Department operates and will work effectively to shape the future security environment in furtherance of USG interests. This office will also work to ensure that future activities of the T bureaus are aligned with the long-range strategic goals and objectives of the Department and USG. For ISN issue areas, this office will work closely with and provide support to the Bureau of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs with regard to public affairs matters, and to the Bureau of Legislative Affairs on Congressional relations. It will engage in outreach efforts for ISN issue areas with appropriate experts in academia, the private sector, and the NGO community. The office will manage the Secretary of State’s Arms Control and Nonproliferation Advisory Board (ACNAB).

Key missions of the office include:

International Security Policy Analysis and Evaluation: Officers will serve as a source of independent policy analysis on functional and regional international security issues and will work closely with all T bureaus and offices. Key functions will include: 1) identifying and evaluating contemporary issues, gaps, emergent issues, trends, and conditions in international security (on both a functional and regional basis) and developing effective responses to the dynamic security environment and approaches to shaping that environment in furtherance of USG interests; 2) conducting analysis and providing independent advice, including drafting policy and strategy recommendations for the U/S and T Assistant Secretaries regarding current policies and activities affecting international security; 3) developing and chairing one or more Departmental or interagency working group "think tanks" on international security issues; 4) developing dialogues with key partner countries to discuss long-range planning issues; 5) facilitating relationships with academic and private sector stakeholders on key international security issues, including managing the Arms Control and Nonproliferation Advisory Board (ACNAB); and 6) conducting special projects on behalf of the U/S or T Assistant Secretaries.

International Security Program Analysis and Evaluation: Officers will serve as a source of independent program analysis and planning for all T bureau programmatic activities and work closely with all T bureaus and programmatic offices. Key functions include: 1) reviewing and evaluating T bureau program activities related to political-military affairs, international security and nonproliferation, and implementation of agreements in these areas for coherence with Department and T bureau policy goals and objectives as well as relevance to emerging international security issues; 2) conducting analysis and providing independent advice, including drafting recommendations on programmatic improvements, adjustments, termination, etc.; 3) developing and chairing a State Department working group "think tank" on international security programs; 4) reviewing bureau performance plans to assess their conformity with strategic priorities; 5) facilitating relationships with private sector entities to draw upon best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness of T bureau programs; and 6) conducting special projects on behalf of the Under Secretary or T Assistant Secretaries.

<>Congressional Relations and Outreach: Officers will be responsible for coordinating all congressional, public diplomacy, and public affairs activities for the ISN bureau. Key functions will include: 1) developing and implementing a public outreach strategy for ISN in close coordination with R and PA; 2) developing relationships with media outlets and trade publications with an interest in ISN issues; 3) developing relationships with key Congressional staff and Congressional advisory committees; and 4) developing relationships with key NGO, private sector, and academic international security and nonproliferation stakeholders.

Bureau Performance Plan and Budget: Officers will be responsible for drafting and coordinating the ISN bureau BPP submission as well as other budget documents and justifications. Key functions will include: 1) making recommendations to the A/S on the organizational structure of ISN and its ability to meet objectives and produce desired results; and 2) directing resource priorities to ensure achievement of operational goals and efficient stewardship of financial resources.

Director: George Look