Senior Advisor - Cybersecurity and Defense Policy

Culmen International LLC is seeking to hire a Senior Advisor in Cyber Security and Defense Policy supporting a Department of State contract onsite in Podgorica, Montenegro.

The Senior Advisor will provide assistance needed to develop, implement, and sustain cyber reforms and policies at the MPA and, when established, at the newly formed CSA. The Senior Advisor shall also support effective inter-ministerial coordination on cybersecurity and response within the Government of Montenegro.

This position does require living in Podgorica, Montenegro.  Culmen does provide local furnished housing to include utilities and high-speed internet in safe and secure location, transportation accommodations, Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance and International SOS coverage.

• Assist with developing and strengthening cyber governance processes for the whole of government and critical infrastructure assets to mitigate and effectively respond to cyberattacks.
• Assist with developing and retaining the CSA cyber workforce to protect and respond to threats by malicious actors. This includes identifying core issues related to the recruitment, retention and training of cybersecurity personnel and developing strategies to address challenges in these areas.
• Improve operational and network resiliency to prevent future cybersecurity incidents and reduce vulnerabilities.
• Develop strong professional relationships with key stakeholders in the Ministry of Public Administration and National Cybersecurity Agency and act as a trusted advisor to Government of Montenegro senior cyber officials.
• Establish working relationships with main counterpart(s) in the MPA and CSA and participate as an advisor in any related new working groups and/or initiatives already underway which contribute to the overall objective(s).
• Integrate into the U.S. Embassy political and security cooperation structure to share information, expand connections, and bolster relevant projects underway.
• Coordinate regularly with the U.S. Embassy Political and Economic Sections.
• Brief the U.S. Embassy monthly, at a minimum, and as requested by embassy representatives. 
• In close cooperation with senior MPA and CSA officials, identify existing gaps in cybersecurity. Consultations shall occur with officials from across the Government of Montenegro where relevant.
• Share expertise and recommendations with MPA and CSA, as relevant, on how to prepare for required reforms and to establish and manage cybersecurity. This may include providing recommendations to the government on any legislation, policy or procedures, doctrine, or training that may be needed to successfully align strategic documents and cybersecurity standards to improve Montenegrin cybersecurity operations and respond to future cyberattacks.
• Assist MPA and CSA in promoting effective, responsible, and accountable employment of force by developing standard operating procedures for integrating domestic and international legal considerations into operational decision-making.
• Where other barriers to institutional change exist with regards to strategic planning, the Senior Advisor shall work to identify those barriers, make recommendations to the MPA and CSA to overcome them, and, where possible, work to address them in support of the desired end state.
• Draw on existing resources, best practices, and contacts from the USG, U.S. civil society, and U.S. private sector to strengthen the CSA’s efficacy as an institution. 

• U.S. citizen.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Have reached, at a minimum, the rank of O-5 in the military or equivalent in a civilian capacity (i.e., FS-02/GS-14 or industry equivalent).
• Master’s degree in areas such as Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a similar field AND at least six (6) years of U.S. military and/or U.S. civilian professional experience with cybersecurity.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a similar field and at least ten (10) years of U.S. military and/or civilian professional experience working in cybersecurity.
• Experience working on the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Staff or another major U.S. staff, or within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, or equivalent cyber-responsible office in the Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, or other U.S. agency.
• Experience in establishing and institutionalizing cyber programs and processes inclusive of management structure, procedures, and skills necessary to develop strategic plans in the cyber domain.
• Experience advising senior officials in a foreign government and/or foreign military.

• Experience conducting assessments of cyber defense and IT security procedures at the national and inter-ministerial or interagency, level.
• Experience working with USEUCOM, NATO, and/or the EU on defense or national security projects.
• Experience establishing and participating in working groups and cyber information sharing networks in terms of threat intelligence and best practices, and regulations.
• Recent (within the past five years) experience living or working in South Central Europe (including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and/or Serbia).
• Have received one of the following certifications:
  •   Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  •   NIST Cyber Security Professional (NCSP)
  •   Certified Information Systems Auditor (CASP)
  •   Certified Chief Information security officer (CCISO)

Culmen International is committed to enhancing international safety and security, strengthening homeland defense, advancing humanitarian missions, and optimizing government operations. With experience in over 150 countries, Culmen supports our clients to accomplish critical missions in challenging environments.

To learn more about Culmen International, please visit www.culmen.com.

At Culmen International, we are committed to creating and sustaining a workplace that upholds the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We believe in the importance of fair treatment and equal access to opportunities for all employees and applicants.  Our commitment to these principles is unwavering across all our operations worldwide.