Compliance and Data Governance Specialist

Censeo Consulting Group•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking driven, thoughtful candidates with expertise in CFR/FAM/NIST compliance and federal enforcement processes to support impactful initiatives for our Federal clients at the U.S. Department of State (DOS). As a Regulatory and Compliance Specialist with Censeo, you will support compliance and data governance efforts for a key Department of State program. You will work closely with DOS teams to ensure compliance with federal mandates and regulations.

Requirements

BA/BS required in International Affairs, Information Systems, Information Security, Public Policy, or a closely related field
5-10+ years of experience in regulatory compliance, legal risk management, data governance, and cybersecurity
Familiarity with compliance policy for federally regulated environments and with Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
Familiarity with data governance standards aligned with NIST cybersecurity standards, NARA records retention requirements, etc
Demonstrated experience supporting or working with Federal agencies (Department of State strongly preferred)
In-depth knowledge of federal program oversight expectations and administrative law principles
Experience designing compliance frameworks that withstand regulatory, audit, and congressional scrutiny (including documentation standards, decision logs, and audit trails and records)
Experience establishing compliance monitoring systems (including data access controls, role-based permissions, or data classification and handling standards)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to synthesize complex information
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Nice To Haves

Master's or JD preferred
experience with 22 CFR Part 62 strongly preferred
Experience in international exchange, education, or mobility programs (preferred)

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary compliance advisor for exchange program operations, interpreting regulatory requirements and translating them into implementable policies and controls
Develop legal defensibility protocols to reinforce program integrity and withstand regulatory scrutiny
Ensure full adherence to 22 CFR Part 62 and other applicable federal mandates
Strengthen data governance and cybersecurity protocols, ensuring compliance with NIST standards, NARA, and federal security policies
Establish and maintain audit‑ready documentation, including policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), system security plans, and compliance evidence
Ensure program’s compliance framework aligns with OMB A-123, GAO, and Department of State security policies
Coordinate and support OMB, GAO, Inspector General, and congressional inquiries, ensuring timely, accurate, and defensible responses
Implement AI-powered predictive analytics to assess sponsor risk and detect anomalies
Establish secure data-sharing protocols and compliance monitoring systems
Train program staff, contractors, and partners on regulatory compliance, data governance, and records management responsibilities
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop realistic, innovative solutions to complex challenges
Communicate findings and recommendations clearly through written reports and presentations
Build and maintain strong client relationships, proactively identifying and mitigating delivery risks