Program Director, Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism Legal and Financial Disruption, Washington, D.C.

Pan American • Washington, DC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is seeking experienced professionals for leadership roles in a regional counterterrorism legal and financial disruption program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT). This program aims to enhance the capacity of partner countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to counter terrorism and disrupt the financial networks of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). The initiative will focus on improving legal and regulatory frameworks, strengthening the investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases, enhancing financial intelligence capabilities, and fostering multi-agency and cross-border cooperation. The Program Director will provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and management, serving as PADF’s primary liaison with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism. This role requires a leader with expertise in counterterrorism, financial disruption, and justice-sector strengthening, with a proven track record in managing complex, multi-country U.S. Government-funded programs. The Director will ensure program activities align with U.S. Department of State CT Bureau priorities, respond to regional threats, and are effectively implemented across participating countries. Responsibilities include overseeing technical design and delivery, ensuring compliance, and leading high-level engagement with stakeholders.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in law, criminology, international relations, public policy, security studies, finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in counterterrorism, financial crime, AML/CFT, justice sector strengthening, or related security fields.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex U.S. Government-funded programs, preferably with a regional or multi-country scope.
• Strong technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: Counterterrorism operations, Terrorist financing and financial intelligence, Criminal investigations and prosecutions.
• Experience working with government counterparts, including law enforcement, prosecutors, judicial actors, and financial intelligence units, or other security and justice sector actors.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in complex and high-risk environments.
• Strong understanding of international standards (e.g., FATF) and U.S. counterterrorism policy frameworks.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience serving as Chief of Party, Program Director, Deputy Chief of Party, or equivalent senior leadership role on a U.S. Government-funded program.
• Experience with U.S. Department of State CT Bureau programs or cooperative agreements.
• Familiarity with international AML/CFT standards, including FATF recommendations, FATF-Style Regional Bodies such as GAFILAT, or Egmont Group financial intelligence cooperation.
• Familiarity with the current FTO, terrorist financing, and organized crime threat landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Experience living or working in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for program implementation across Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Ensure the program is aligned with U.S. Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism priorities, including efforts to strengthen legal frameworks, financial intelligence, terrorist financing investigations, prosecutions, and public-private awareness of terrorist financing risks.
• Guide program strategy to remain responsive to evolving regional threats, partner-country needs, and U.S. Government policy priorities.
• Lead development and execution of workplans, implementation strategies, and performance monitoring processes.
• Ensure timely, efficient, and compliant delivery of all program activities, deliverables and reporting requirements.
• Oversee program operation, ensuring effective use of resources and alignment with program objectives.
• Provide high-level technical oversight of all program activities to ensure quality, strategic relevance, and alignment with CT outcomes.
• Guide the development and delivery of technical assistance, training, tools, and coordination mechanisms related to counterterrorism, terrorist financing, financial investigations, legal processes, and justice sector strengthening.
• Ensure program implementation reflects rule of law principles, institutional accountability, and politically sensitive engagement.
• Serve as PADF’s primary liaison with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism throughout the period of performance.
• Coordinate with U.S. Government agencies, U.S. Embassy country teams, implementing partners, and regional stakeholders to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication.
• Build and maintain partnerships with relevant law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, prosecutors’ offices, judicial institutions, and other national or regional counterparts.
• Supervise senior program staff, including technical, operational, and regional implementation personnel.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment with clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes.
• Ensure performance data, implementation experience, and lessons learned are used to inform adaptive management and strengthen program results.

Benefits

• PADF is committed to safeguarding employees and those we serve, addressing inappropriate behavior, discrimination, and harassment.
• We take an intersectional approach, promote gender equality, and follow our Global Code of Conduct emphasizing our H.E.A.R.T. values.
• The code covers various aspects, including anti-trafficking, PSEAH (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment), whistleblowing, and online safety.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior