Compliance and Data Governance Specialist - Department of StateThe 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.
Key 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
The Ideal Candidate:- BA/BS required in International Affairs, Information Systems, Information Security, Public Policy, or a closely related field. Master's or JD preferred.
- 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) (experience with 22 CFR Part 62 strongly preferred)
- 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)
- Experience in international exchange, education, or mobility programs (preferred)
- 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
The Location:Censeo Consulting Group is based in Washington D.C., a fantastic city for working professionals. We work in a hybrid setting with flexibility to work from home and work in our office conveniently located in the heart of downtown, just a few blocks away from the White House. And with many of our clients also based in D.C., we have the luxury of leaving for a meeting and being back in the office in time for post-work happy hours, team dinners, and game nights.
The Fine Print:- The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $180,000 depending on experience
- Expected travel 0-10%; mayincrease based on business needs
- This is an exempt, full-time position
- This role is subject to a hybrid work schedule
- Essential Physical Functions
- Sitting: Particularly for sustained periods of time
- Light Carrying: Physically transporting items weighing less than 15 pounds from one location to another
Censeo offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave, flexible and remote work opportunities, and tuition and training reimbursement. More information on our benefits and perks can be found at https://www.censeoconsulting.com/about/join-us/.
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