Cassandra Clark Email & Phone Number

Oslo, No

Oslo, Norway

Supports the Global Defense Reform Program (GDRP) in the Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Global Programs and Initiatives (PM/GPI). Primarily focused on supporting contracts, grants, and inter-agency agreements for programming in countries in the EUCOM AOR. GDRP provides advisory support to enhance security sector governance and institutional capacity, partnering with countries to develop national security strategies and national defense strategies, to improve defense and resource management, and to build capacity in areas such as cybersecurity.

Oslo, Norway

Washington, Dc

Advised senior Department of State officials and facilitated inter-agency coordination on UN peacekeeping policy, peacekeeping mandates, and peacekeeping performance. Provided analysis and guidance to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations on peacekeeping-related UN resolutions and mandates, and high-level peacekeeping visits and events. Consulted broadly and maintained liaison with multilateral and non-governmental organizations, partner nations, and U.S. Congress on peacekeeping policy and performance issues. Served as lead for the transition of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and for the transition and drawdown of the UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). Coordinated U.S. participation in biannual UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meetings. Deployed to Doha, Qatar in August 2021 to support the evacuation of U.S.-affiliated personnel from Afghanistan, serving as a core member of Operation Allies Welcome, coordinating onward flights to regional hubs and the United States with various charter airlines and U.S. military partners. Completed developmental assignment as the Deputy Director to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Liaison Office in Washington, DC, Joint Staff, U.S. Department of Defense.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Office of Security Affairs; Bureau of African AffairsAs the Central Africa Regional Security Affairs officer in AF/SA (formerly the Office of Regional Security Affairs), advised senior leaders on security affairs policy issues and managed multi-dimensional Security Sector Reform (SSR) programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAR), Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Chad, Cameroon, Gabon, and South Sudan. Served as Contracting Officer's Representative, planning procurements and managing contracts that trained, equipped, advised, and assisted the militaries in DRC and CAR to become more professional, capable, and accountable defense institutions. Liaised and coordinated with interagency stakeholders regarding U.S. support to peacekeeping operations and troop/police contributing countries, including looking for ways to enhance peacekeeper performance and improve accountability for human rights abuses in peacekeeping missions. Regularly drafted briefing papers, presentations, and memos for front office leadership on emerging security issues and related U.S. policies and programs. Represented AF/SA at executive-level NSC meetings, military planning meetings and exercises, and interagency strategic planning meetings.

Washington, Dc

Program Officer, Office of Anti-Crime Programs; Bureau of International Narcotic and Law Enforcement AffairsAs a program officer for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Anti-Crime Programs, supported the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Gaborone and Regional Training Center (RTC) in Accra, Ghana in providing law enforcement and criminal justice sector training to regional member states. Served as Contracting Officer's Representative, monitoring performance of a $3.5 million contract for RTC operations and course deliveries, coordinating programming at the RTC with contractor, intra-agency and Embassy Accra stakeholders, and interagency law enforcement training divisions. Also served as Agreements Officer's Representative, overseeing implementation of INL/C's Interagency Agreements with four federal law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability and compliance with reporting requirements. Analyzed budgets for both facilities, worked with program management staff to build annual training schedules, liaised with embassy staff to coordinate participant attendance at trainings, and worked with ILEA team to develop policy responses to emerging issues.

Washington, Dc

Multilateral Affairs Officer, Office of Policy, Planning and Coordination; Bureau of International Narcotic and Law Enforcement AffairsAdvanced U.S. counter-drug and crime prevention policy objectives in the United Nations and Organization of American States (OAS) by organizing interagency delegations, leading negotiations on multilateral resolutions, and managing INL's institutional relationship with the OAS Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) and UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna, Austria. Served as lead organizer for inter-agency delegations of 10-20 people to approximately 12-15 high-level multilateral meetings per year (UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, UN Crime Congress, UN Paris Pact for cooperation in combating Afghan opiates). Negotiated approximately 10-12 UN CND and CCPCJ resolutions on behalf of INL, frequently serving as the lead INL negotiator on resolutions. Facilitated and coordinated INL funding to UNODC through Letters of Agreement totaling over $30 million per year, as well as $1.5 million per year to the OAS/CICAD.

Kampala, Uganda

As part of Presidential Management Fellowship program, completed a developmental rotation to the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, serving as a political officer from May through October 2009. In that capacity, reported on and analyzed a range of domestic and regional political and economic issues, including peace and security, democratization, human rights, and post-conflict reconstruction in northern Uganda. Liaised with interagency partners and intergovernmental partners in the field to generate a widely disseminated bi-weekly reporting cable on the latest movements and activities of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda and throughout the region. Also drafted several reporting cables on Government of Uganda's efforts to combat gender based violence, efforts to combat corruption, and a primer on USAID reconstruction efforts in Northern Uganda.

Washington, Dc

Program Officer, Middle East Team, Office of Asia, Africa and European Programs; Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Supported INL's $60 million police training program in Lebanon and planned the startup of a $1 million criminal justice sector capacity building program in Jordan. Developed program monitoring, reporting, and evaluation procedures for Lebanon policing program, including monitoring and analysis of weekly skills tests for police officers and development of a public opinion survey to gauge public confidence in criminal justice institutions over the life of the program, to ensure results-based program management and promote financial accountability.

Washington, Dc

Analyzed and reported on UN-related legislative hearings, NGO events, and think tank briefings; orally briefed UN Information Center (UNIC) senior staff on key issues; and contributed to weekly reporting updates sent to advise key decision-makers at UN headquarters in New York.

Greater New York City Area

Edited, finalized, and distributed comprehensive survey instrument to more than 50 country-level UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) staff and officials on host country national nutrition policies, which resulted in a published “Lancet Series” paper on maternal and child under-nutrition.

Geneva Area, Switzerland

Researched and mapped food and nutrition-related activities and programs of the UN System Standing Committee on Nutrition (SCN) member agencies and organizations to facilitate implementation of SCN’s strategic framework and action plan. Researched, contributed to, and edited for bi-annually published, internationally distributed nutrition publication, “The SCN News.” At WHO and UNICEF’s request, continued working with WHO and UNICEF as an Intern/Consultant for UNICEF in New York.

Greater New York City Area

Conducted legal research on Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw, drafted correspondence to clients and associates, managed case files and imaging databases, and assisted with Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. court filings for approximately 8-10 cases at a time, enabling senior associates and partners to litigate class action securities cases. Traveled nationally to conduct due diligence work for corporate mergers and acquisitions cases, including organizing a large data room and managing legal assistant staffing for 10+ legal assistants, which resulted in a more efficient due diligence process and earned praise from several senior associates. Assisted with pro bono international political asylum case.

Master Of Arts (Ma), International Relations And Affairs; Conflict Resolution

Activities and Societies: Earned an Advanced Certificate in Conflict Resolution, and worked closely with the Conflict Management Center.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Political Science And Government

Activities and Societies: Student Government; Center for Social Concerns volunteer; Varsity women's rowing team (1999-2000)- Graduated Cum.