Security Assistance Mentor and Cultural Advisor (MoPA)

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Versar Global Solutions provides full mission lifecycle solutions for challenges faced by our government and commercial Customers in the natural, built, and digital environments. With nearly 1,600 team members around the world, and a rich legacy spanning more than 50 years, Versar Global Solutions delivers a broad array of planning, analysis and risk management solutions, project and program management, operations and maintenance services, and information technology applications for environmental management and remediation projects, mission critical facilities and installations, and in support of readiness and contingency operations.

Versar Global Solutions is seeking a Security Assistance Mentor and Cultural Advisor (SAMA) – Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) to support the United States Military Group – Iraq (USMILGP-Iraq) mission. The SAMA MoPA will advise and assist senior Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs officials and USMILGP-Iraq personnel at the ministerial level, supporting the development of engagement strategies, operational coordination, decision-making processes, information sharing, and continued functional development of an effective Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. This role requires deep knowledge of MoPA structures and operations, civil-military relations, Kurdish language proficiency, and the ability to build trusted professional and cultural relationships with senior Iraqi Kurdish counterparts.

• →Serve as an advisor to senior Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs officials and assist USMILGP-Iraq in managing and executing duties at the ministerial level.
• →Advise and assist USMILGP-Iraq with the development of ministerial engagement strategies that enhance the systemic capability and continued functional development of an effective Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.
• →Support the development of strategies that facilitate timely and effective decision-making and information sharing through daily observation and written reporting.
• →Develop solid professional and cultural relationships with senior MoPA officials and other ministries and agencies to further USMILGP-Iraq efforts and foster sound working relationships with Iraqi Kurdish counterparts.
• →Maintain daily and frequent personal contact with MoPA leadership and officials to establish relationships built on trust, confidence, and confidentiality.
• →Assist in the development, implementation, and oversight of policies and procedures that enhance personal and professional effectiveness in the execution of official duties.
• →Advise on the integration of military and civilian elements of the Ministry Headquarters.
• →Manage operational and administrative planning requirements, including suspenses, schedules, and strategic and operational plans.
• →Support the development of a daily operating rhythm to meet requirements within available resources.
• →Develop and schedule key leader engagement strategies to enhance advisor effectiveness, leverage systematic improvement in USMILGP-Iraq capabilities, and support coordination at the highest levels of leadership.
• →Prepare and deliver briefings to senior military officials on the status of MoPA staff, systems, programs, and transition progress.

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies, Middle Eastern Culture, Kurdish Studies, or a related field is highly preferred.
• Fluent in English and Kurdish, both written and spoken.
• Possess a sound and current working knowledge of Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs organizational structure and operations.
• Previous strategic experience with U.S. Forces in Iraq since 2011 as a civilian contractor or uniformed service member.
• Significant knowledge, education, and experience in civil-military relations within a democratic government.
• One year or more of experience working with Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs officials is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of Iraqi Kurdish customs, culture, political structures, and cultural sensitivities, with the ability to adapt communication, advisory, and training approaches accordingly.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in operating a personal computer and experienced in Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to deploy to and work in Iraq in support of mission requirements.
• For U.S. Citizens, must complete deployment processing through an approved Continental United States (CONUS) Replacement Center (CRC), including required deployment training at designated CONUS deployment centers such as the CRC at Fort Bliss, Texas, and redeployment through such centers.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally in support of mission needs, including movement by Embassy Air, Department of State Charter Air, secure ground transportation, and military air movements via rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, as required.
• Must possess a valid passport with at least 18 months of remaining eligibility at the time of deployment.
• Successful results of preemployment screenings, including federal background check, MVR, and drug screen.
• Comply with company drug and alcohol policy.
• Be authorized to work in the US or will be authorized by the successful candidate’s start date.
• Eligibility Requirement - US Citizen (This requirement is necessary to meet the security and eligibility requirements for the performance of this contract). 
• Active Secret clearance.

The position will primarily work onsite in Iraq in support of USMILGP-Iraq mission requirements.

Primary duty locations may include Baghdad and/or Erbil, Iraq. In addition, the position may designate other temporary duty (TDY) locations, including but not limited to sites in the Middle East and the United States.

Versar Global Solutions is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Versar Global Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Versar Global Solutions expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran. Improper interference with the ability of Versar Global Solutions employees to perform their job duties is not tolerated.

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