INL Bureau · Office Profiles
Welcome to INL.
Here's how the Bureau is organized.
Use this guide to understand what each office does, who leads it, and when to contact them. Select any office from the navigation or cards below.
Click any office box to navigate to its full profile
Regional Offices
INL/AME
Africa & Middle East
Manages INL assistance programs across Africa and the Middle East.
INL/EA
Europe & Asia
Counters synthetic drugs and builds law enforcement capacity across Europe and Asia.
INL/WHP
Western Hemisphere
Degrades and dismantles TCOs and FTOs throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Functional Offices
INL/ACB
Aviation & Cross-Border
Provides aviation support and cross-border interdiction for counternarcotics missions.
INL/RCD
Results & Criminal Deterrence
Delivers knowledge management, data systems, and program evaluation across INL.
INL/SAO
Security Assistance & Operations
Manages finances, procurement, HR, and compliance for all INL programming.
Offices & Distribution Lists
| Office | Type | Main Inbox |
|---|---|---|
| International Negotiations (IN) | Front Office | INL-INTL-Negotiations@state.gov |
| Africa & Middle East (AME) | Regional | INL-AME-DL@state.gov |
| Europe & Asia (EA) | Regional | INL-EA-DL@state.gov |
| Western Hemisphere (WHP) | Regional | INL-WHP-DL@state.gov |
| Aviation & Cross-Border (ACB) | Functional | INL-ACB-DL@state.gov |
| Results & Criminal Deterrence (RCD) | Functional | INL-RCD-DL@state.gov |
| Security Assistance & Operations (SAO) | Functional | INL-SAO-DL@state.gov |
Leadership & Reporting Chain
How INL fits within the Department of State
Reports to
Under Secretary for Arms Control & International Security
Bureau code: T
↓
Assistant Secretary
INL Front Office
Political appointee
↓
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Oversees RCD, SAO
+ 3 Deputy Assistant Secretaries
↓
Deputy Assistant Secretaries (×3)
Each leads one regional office
WHP · AME · EA + IN, ACB
Note: The Assistant Secretary is a political appointee. For the latest INL leadership, visit
state.gov/leadership/INL.
🗂 INL Management Board
The INL Management Board is a standing forum for all office directors to engage in candid discussions on issues that affect the entire Bureau and provide recommendations to the Front Office.
It serves as the primary mechanism for cross-bureau coordination, ensuring that regional and functional offices operate in alignment with strategic priorities.
As a new staff member, you may support or prepare materials for Management Board sessions at the direction of your office director.
INL Overseas Sections
Washington supports the field — every section, regardless of size
Each INL program is supported by a U.S.-based program officer and an INL point of contact at post. Overseas INL sections range from large, multi-division operations to small three-person teams — but Washington provides the same level of program, financial, and operational support to all of them.
Large Section
INL Bogotá
WHP · Est. 1985
385
employees
- INL Director & Deputy Director
- Law Enforcement Division
- Police Unit Division
- Police Aviation Division
- Organized Crime & Counternarcotics
- Rule of Law Division
- Management Officer
Medium Section
INL Tunis
AME
13
employees
- Director & Deputy Director
- Police Portfolio Manager
- Justice Portfolio Manager
- Corrections Advisor
- Financial Analyst
- Legal Advisor
- Operations & Finance Assistant
Small Section
INL Benin
AME
3
employees
- Section Chief (PSC)
- Program Assistant (LE)
- Project Assistant (LE)
Key principle: INL Washington provides the same level of program, financial, and operational support to every overseas section — regardless of size.
Each section sits within a U.S. Embassy and reports through the Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission.
Front Office
INL/IN
Office of International Negotiations
Champion America's interests in international anti-crime and counternarcotics fora, negotiating and driving international policies and actions that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
→ Come to this office when you need…
Top Priorities
- 1Negotiate international standards and commitments — Engage with other governments to prevent and combat drugs and crime, empowering U.S. law enforcement, spurring joint investigations, denying safe havens for criminals, controlling dangerous substances, and inducing international pressure to deliver results.
- 2Assess compliance with international legal obligations — Identify where countries are failing to meet their obligations to combat drugs and crime, informing INL's technical assistance and diplomatic engagement to address gaps exploited by criminals.
- 3Export U.S. laws and law enforcement strategies — Share U.S. tactics and practices internationally to build law enforcement relationships and make it easier for U.S. law enforcement to operate globally.
Noteworthy Highlights
UN Reform
Forced first-ever substantive CND votes; pushed UNODC back to core mandates; secured new UN accountability review mechanism.
First Anti-Crime Resolution
Won adoption of alien smuggling resolution committing countries to strengthen border protections and dismantle smuggling networks.
Blocked China's Bid to Control UNODC
Prevented a Chinese candidate from becoming UNODC Executive Director.
U.S. Leader on Children's Online Safety
Promoted the TAKE IT DOWN ACT before 119 countries; led interagency review of the new cybercrime convention.
Burden-Sharing Against Western Hemisphere TCOs
At UNGA, secured European and Western Hemisphere commitments to act against organized crime and narco-terrorists.
Historic Commitments Against Corruption-Enabled Smuggling
Won adoption of the first-ever UN resolution combating corruption that facilitates alien smuggling.
Protected Coca Leaf Controls
Defeated a Colombia-led effort to loosen coca leaf controls that would have increased cocaine production.
Key Contributions
UN & International Forum Expertise
Extensive knowledge of multilateral fora to leverage U.S. priorities — drafting and negotiating resolutions, securing country commitments, and deploying strategic diplomacy to block adversarial initiatives.
Subject Matter Expertise
Comprehensive expertise on international crime, counternarcotics, corruption, and illicit finance at the international level.
Delegation Coordination
Coordination of intra-department and interagency delegations to UN and other international events.
Coalition Building
Maintenance of relationships with foreign counterparts, mobilizing burden-sharing commitments and sustained partnerships that advance U.S. law enforcement objectives.
Team & Contacts
Sub-Office Organization
| Team | Roles & Responsibilities |
|---|---|
Director | Strategic guidance; Department/interagency coordination; senior subject matter expert |
Senior Advisor | Counternarcotics fora: CND, U.S.–EU Drug Dialogue, OAS CICAD; UNODC ED appointment; INCB elections; UNODC reform |
Senior Advisor | Cross-border/organized crime: cybercrime, fraud, alien smuggling, TIP, arms trafficking, environmental crimes; UN Crime Congress & Convention against Cybercrime |
Senior Advisor | Illicit finance, corruption, money laundering; G-7 Roma-Lyon Group; U.S.–EU Justice & Home Affairs; UNGA cross-cutting engagements |
Program Assistants | Supports counternarcotics, cross-border, and organized crime engagements through administrative, IO-LOA/STREAM, DevResults, and cross-cutting coordination tasks |
Distribution Lists
Office Inbox
Regional Office
INL/AME
Office of Africa and the Middle East
Promote America First and the Administration's priorities across all interactions between the United States and governments in Africa and the Middle East — combating the growing influence of designated FTOs, improving coordination between law enforcement agencies, enhancing border security to hinder transnational crime, countering the adversarial influence of China, Russia, and Iran, and facilitating the growth of U.S. businesses.
→ Come to this office when you need…
Top Priorities
- 1Combat FTO influence — Counter the growing influence of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations in the region.
- 2Improve law enforcement coordination — Strengthen cooperation between U.S. and host nation agencies.
- 3Enhance border security — Build partner capacity to hinder transnational crime across borders.
- 4Counter adversarial influence — Deny China, Russia, and Iran influence by positioning the U.S. as the partner of first choice.
- 5Facilitate U.S. business growth — Enable expansion of U.S. businesses in the region under an America First strategy.
Noteworthy Highlights
Security Facilities in the West Bank
Supporting construction and equipping of security facilities to strengthen law enforcement capacity for Palestinian Authority security forces.
Cost-Effective Corrections Training via Morocco
Partnering with Moroccan counterparts to deliver corrections training to other countries in the region at reduced cost.
Maritime Law Enforcement & Illicit Goods Interdiction
Supporting programs in Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, and DRC to increase maritime law enforcement and disrupt the flow of illicit goods, including synthetic drugs.
Countering Mexican Cartel Expansion in Africa
Addressing Mexican cartel operations that use Africa as transit hubs and production sites for synthetic drugs.
Combating IUU Fishing
Protecting African partners' maritime sovereignty against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, particularly by Chinese fishing vessels.
Supporting the Washington Accords (DRC–Rwanda)
Advancing the Administration's peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
Key Contributions
Degrading FTOs
Extensive experience increasing foundational law enforcement and justice skills in support of degrading foreign terrorist organizations across the region.
Security Partner of First Choice
History of designing projects and teaming with host nation law enforcement to be the partner of first choice, denying China space to influence.
High-Threat Environments
Skilled in establishing and managing INL projects in high-threat, insecure environments (Somalia, Sahel) while maintaining effective management controls through alternative means.
Minimal Staffing Operations
Designing and implementing projects with no INL staff on the ground, relying on pol/econ or RSO sections as main liaisons.
Programming in New Priority Areas
Developing project concepts in cutting-edge priority areas such as IUU fishing enforcement and critical minerals access — expanding INL's footprint in domains directly linked to U.S. economic and national security interests.
Team & Contacts
Sub-Office Organization
| Team | Roles & Responsibilities | Distribution List |
|---|---|---|
A/CES — Africa Central, Eastern & Southern | Kenya, DRC, Gabon, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, and others within EATOC | |
CCT — Cross-Cutting Team |
Coordinates between teams within AME; main liaison for outward-facing work with other INL offices and outside the bureau | |
MET — Middle East Team |
Lebanon, Syria, Jordan | |
NAWB — North Africa & West Bank |
Israel, West Bank, Morocco, Tunisia | |
WAS — West Africa & Sahel |
Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Cabo Verde |
Distribution Lists
Office Inbox
Regional Office
INL/EA
Office of Europe and Asia
Keep Americans safe by promoting policies and developing and managing security assistance programs to combat crime and illegal drugs in Europe and Eurasia, South and Central Asia, and East Asia and the Pacific.
→ Come to this office when you need…
Top Priorities
- 1Stop the flow of synthetic drugs — Counter the illicit flow of fentanyl and synthetic precursors from China and address criminal diversion of precursors sourced from India's large pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
- 2Targeted security assistance against adversaries — Deliver targeted security assistance to strengthen partner nations against adversaries' anti-U.S. activity, countering CCP malign influence across the Indo-Pacific.
- 3Expand U.S. law enforcement access — Open and deepen access for U.S. agencies (DEA, DOJ, FBI, DHS, Coast Guard) in Europe and Asia, supporting operations against U.S. threats — criminal groups, cyberscams, terrorists — including extraditions and intelligence sharing.
Noteworthy Highlights
Leading U.S. Counter-Fentanyl Diplomacy with China
Leads the Department's efforts to counter illicit flows of synthetic drugs and fentanyl precursors from China through bilateral diplomacy and coordinated interagency pressure.
Co-Leading U.S.-India Drug Policy Framework
Co-leads implementation of the U.S.-India Drug Policy Framework alongside ONDCP to address India's role as a potential replacement source for fentanyl precursor chemicals.
Supporting Durable Peace in Ukraine
Delivers expert advisory assistance, training, and equipment to enable Ukrainian law enforcement to be operationally effective U.S. partners, safeguarding U.S. investments and countering TCOs.
Countering CCP Influence in the Indo-Pacific
Strengthens the network of U.S. allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific, making the U.S. the region's preferred civilian security partner and countering criminality linked to CCP-affiliated entities.
Disrupting Transnational Crime in Europe
Enhances U.S. access and operational coordination with European partners against TCOs linked to Latin America, the Middle East, and Russia — prioritizing cases with a direct U.S. nexus.
Central Asia Border Security & Counternarcotics
Builds Central Asian partner capacity to combat narcotics trafficking, strengthen border security against drugs and terrorists, and maintain U.S. competitiveness in security and economic engagement.
Key Contributions
Stopping Synthetic Drugs
Leads Department efforts to counter illicit fentanyl precursor flows from China; co-leads U.S.-India Drug Policy Framework. INL assistance in Asia builds partner capability to detect and interdict illicit narcotics before they reach American shores.
Countering CCP Malign Influence
Security assistance counters CCP activities that undermine U.S. influence and national security, making the U.S. the Indo-Pacific's preferred civilian security partner and addressing criminality linked to CCP-affiliated entities.
Combating TCOs in Europe
INL assistance combats transnational organized crime, drugs, and related corruption across Europe, strengthening interoperability with U.S. law enforcement and prioritizing cases with a U.S. nexus.
Supporting Ukraine
Delivers expert advisory, training, and equipment enabling Ukrainian criminal justice partners to counter TCOs and illicit trafficking — improving oversight, accountability, and prosecutorial capacity for complex crimes.
Team & Contacts
Sub-Office Organization
| Team | Roles & Responsibilities | Distribution List |
|---|---|---|
Europe Team |
Leads programs across Europe addressing TCOs with connections to Latin America, the Middle East, and Russia; building U.S. access and operational coordination | |
Eurasia Team |
Leads Eurasia programs including the flagship Ukraine program; advisory assistance, training, and equipment to counter TCOs and illicit trafficking | |
SCA Team |
South and Central Asia programs; co-leads U.S.-India Drug Policy Framework | |
EAP Team |
East Asia and Pacific Islands programs — maritime security, border security, counternarcotics, cybercrime | |
CCT — Cross-cutting team |
Advisory, coordinating, and support functions across policy issues, budget formulation, EX coordination, management, and DME |
Distribution Lists
Main DL
Managers
Regional Office
INL/WHP
Office of Western Hemisphere Programs
Degrade and dismantle transnational criminal organizations and FTOs throughout Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.
→ Come to this office when you need…
Top Priorities
- 1Degrade and dismantle TCOs and FTOs — Train and equip foreign law enforcement to combat cartels, gangs, and designated foreign terrorist organizations across 29 countries in the Western Hemisphere, working hand-in-hand with DEA, DHS, CBP, HSI, FBI, DOJ, and DOD.
- 2Disrupt U.S.-bound illicit drug flows — Interdict cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals trafficked through Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean before they reach American communities.
- 3Expand U.S. advantage and counter adversarial influence — Maintain the United States as the security partner of first choice, countering malign Chinese and other adversarial influence across the region through security cooperation and access.
Noteworthy Highlights
Vetted Units Targeting Cartel Leadership in Mexico
INL-supported specialized vetted units work alongside U.S. law enforcement to conduct high-impact operations against cartel leadership, infrastructure, and fentanyl/meth labs — directly reducing the flow of deadly drugs into the United States.
Haiti P4000: 40% Force Expansion by 2027
Supporting the Haitian National Police surge recruitment initiative to recruit and train 4,000 additional officers by 2027 — a 40% increase in force size — while equipping a Gang Suppression Force and specialized units.
Colombia Aviation Fleet & Counter-UAS Operations
INL operates a Black Hawk helicopter fleet and unarmed UAS and Counter-UAS equipment for counternarcotics and anti-TCO/FTO operations in Colombia, the source of 84–94% of cocaine seized in the United States.
Guatemala FTO Biometrics in Federal Prisons
An INL trusted unit enrolled incarcerated Barrio 18 and MS-13 members in the Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership in early 2026, enabling authorities to retake control over prisons and allowing U.S. law enforcement to identify FTO members.
Panama Organized Crime Courts Securing Convictions
INL-formulated Organized Crime Courts in Panama have delivered convictions in high-impact transnational drug trafficking, conspiracy, and money laundering cases with direct U.S. nexuses.
Fentanyl as WMD: Caribbean Forensic Labs & Cargo Targeting
Advancing EO 14367 (Fentanyl as Weapon of Mass Destruction) by building regional fentanyl detection and safe handling capabilities in Caribbean forensic labs and enhancing precursor chemical cargo targeting at strategic shipping choke points.
Key Contributions
Countering Drugs & Cartels
Programming in 29 countries averaging ~$500M/year to train and equip foreign law enforcement to interdict cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals — working alongside DEA, CBP, HSI, and FBI to directly reduce drug flows into the United States.
Vetted & Specialized Units
Development and support of trusted, vetted law enforcement units that work hand-in-hand with U.S. agencies to conduct high-impact operations against cartel leadership, TCO networks, and FTOs across Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Countering Malign Influence
Maintaining U.S. advantage and access across the hemisphere by positioning the U.S. as the preferred security partner — countering Chinese infrastructure, technology, and security sector inroads in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Border Security & Migration
Training and equipping foreign border security units with biometric technology, cross-border information sharing, and targeting of high-risk travelers — stopping illegal mass migration and drug flows before they reach U.S. communities.
Team & Contacts
Sub-Office Organization
| Team | Roles & Responsibilities |
|---|---|
Mexico & Central America |
TBD |
Caribbean & South America | TBD |
Strategy & Coordination | TBD |
Distribution Lists
Main DL
Functional Office
INL/ACB
Office of Aviation and Cross Border Programs
Advance U.S. national security by disrupting complex criminal networks that operate across borders and threaten American interests. ACB leads targeted cross-border initiatives and leverages aviation assets and specialized tools to dismantle the profit centers and criminal activities that enable transnational threats — delivering results through operational innovation and partnership that no single country or region could achieve alone.
→ Come to this office when you need…
Noteworthy Highlights
Aviation Wing: Enabling Missions No Other Asset Can
Without aviation support, core initiatives — interdiction, eradication, counter-illegal mining, border security — would not be possible. Active sites: Peru, Panama, Costa Rica.
ILEA: 77,000+ Alumni Across 125+ Countries
Four ILEAs — San Salvador, Budapest, Bangkok, Gaborone — train foreign partners on counternarcotics, border security, human trafficking, cybercrime, and illicit finance with 16 U.S. federal agencies.
UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs: 25,764 Users in 197 Countries
INCB's platform exchanged data on 21,400+ seizures in 2025, generating 105 intelligence packages that triggered joint investigations and disrupted trafficking networks.
Cybercrime & Illicit Finance: Multi-Country Coordinated Operations
CIF Branch deploys FBI agents, ICHIP attorneys, and technical experts coordinating simultaneous multi-country arrests, searches, and seizures — closing jurisdictional gaps exploited by transnational criminal networks.
Natural Resource Crime Convictions: 78–88% Rates in Africa
78% conviction rate in Zambia, 88% in Namibia; dismantled the Lin Zhang network in Malawi. Brazil: forensic tech traced a 143-kg gold seizure ($15M+) to Amazon TCOs. Peru: largest shark fin seizure on record — 9.3 metric tons, $11M+, 11 arrests.
Key Contributions
Aviation Support
Manned and unmanned aircraft, operations, logistics, and expertise enabling counternarcotics, law enforcement, and cross-border missions in Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, and beyond — including interdiction, eradication, counter-illegal mining, and border security where no other asset can operate.
ILEA: Global Law Enforcement Training
Four academies — San Salvador, Budapest, Bangkok, Gaborone — train foreign law enforcement professionals from 125+ countries on counternarcotics, border security, human trafficking, and cybercrime, in partnership with 16 U.S. federal agencies and a growing alumni network of 77,000+.
Disrupting Synthetic Drug Supply Chains
Builds partner capacity across the full continuum — from preventing precursor chemical diversion and identifying clandestine labs to detecting drugs at ports of entry and sharing intelligence among law enforcement and forensic officers globally.
Cybercrime & Illicit Finance
Deploys FBI agents, ICHIP attorneys, and technical experts to coordinate multi-country arrests, searches, and seizures — building partner capacity aligned with FATF standards and the Budapest Convention to close jurisdictional gaps exploited by transnational criminal networks.
Natural Resource Crime
Dismantles TCOs by disrupting wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, and mining across Africa, Asia, and Latin America — using the same routes and facilitators as drug trafficking — while securing supply chains and improving regulatory environments for U.S. businesses.
Team & Contacts
Sub-Office Organization
| Team | Roles & Responsibilities | Distribution List |
|---|---|---|
Aviation Division | Based in Florida, provides manned and unmanned aircraft, operations, and logistics support for worldwide counternarcotics, law enforcement, and cross-border missions, including drug interdiction, eradication, and irregular migration control | |
CBC Division | Leads the Cross-Border Crime (CBC) Threats Division, overseeing ILEA, CNC, and CIF branches from Washington, DC | |
ILEA Branch | International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA) is a global network of four academies—San Salvador, Budapest, Bangkok, and Gaborone—delivering U.S. federal law enforcement training to foreign partners across more than 125 countries, with a network of over 77,000 alumni | |
CNC Branch | Countering Natural Resources Crime (CNC) dismantles transnational criminal organizations by disrupting wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, and mining across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, while strengthening regulatory environments and securing supply chains | |
CIF Branch | Counternarcotics, Illicit Finance, and Cybercrime (CIF) builds partner country capacity to combat money laundering and cybercrime through training, technical assistance, and enforcement support aligned with FATF standards and the Budapest Convention |
Distribution Lists
Main DL
Leadership
Functional Office
INL/RCD
Office of Results and Criminal Deterrence
Maximize INL's results for the American people.
→ Come to this office when you need…
Noteworthy Highlights
INL Placemat
A quick reference guide to INL's top priorities, tools, and programs — ensuring common understanding across all INL audiences and stakeholders.
Strategic Frameworks (SF)
Articulate how all available INL tools — foreign assistance, deterrence, and diplomatic engagement — will be applied to a country, regional, or cross-border program to advance bureau strategic priorities.
Program Concept Notes (PCN)
INL's central tool for aligning new obligations with bureau priorities, the National Security Strategy, and the America First agenda. PCNs streamline funding approvals and give the Front Office an integrated picture of program intent.
DevResults — Front Office Mandate
Performance monitoring software that helps INL offices track projects, measure results, and identify effective approaches. All awards extending past September 30, 2026 must be enrolled per Front Office directive.
Deterrence Tools
7031c and new "3c" visa restrictions targeting TCO enablers; Narcotics and TOC Rewards Programs offering up to $25M for actionable tips; and State concurrence for OFAC sanctions under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13581.
Ad Hoc Expert Support
On-demand consultations and advisory services from RCD's criminal justice, program management, DME, and strategy experts — available to all INL offices and posts.
Key Contributions
Strategy & Policy Planning
Leads INL's global policy engagement. Produces the Functional Bureau Strategy (FBS), issue-specific strategies, Bureau Policy Notices, and Strategic Frameworks — translating Administration priorities into INL policy and aligning bureau activities with America First goals.
Program Integration & Coordination
Coordinates cross-cutting programmatic issues, manages post support mechanisms, and integrates strategy into programs. Develops programmatic guidance and tools to make it easier for offices and posts to strategize, plan, and manage successful programs.
Criminal Justice SME Advising
Corrections, criminal justice, and law enforcement subject matter experts provide sector assessments, technical and operational guidance, and partner coordination — helping program offices and posts design and manage effective programs informed by deep expertise.
Results & DevResults
M&E guidance, DevResults enrollment, and standard metrics to help INL offices measure program impact. All awards extending past September 30, 2026 must be enrolled — a Front Office mandate — giving leadership a real-time picture of program performance.
Deterrence Tools
7031c and "3c" visa restrictions targeting TCO enablers and their associates; Narcotics and TOC Rewards Programs offering up to $25M per tip; and State concurrence for OFAC sanctions under E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13581 to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations.
Congressional Reporting
Manages INL compliance with global Congressional reporting requirements: the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Majors List, and Combating Global Corruption Act Report — ensuring accountability and transparency to Congress and the American public.
Team & Contacts
Sub-Office Organization
| Team | Roles & Responsibilities | Distribution List |
|---|---|---|
Strategy & Policy Planning (SPP) | INL strategies, policy coordination, Strategic Frameworks, PCNs, Bureau Policy Notices, INL placemat | |
Program Integration & Coordination (PIC) | Cross-cutting programmatic issues, post support mechanisms, strategy-to-program integration | |
Corrections & Justice (CJ) / Law Enforcement (LE) | SME advising on corrections, criminal justice, and law enforcement; sector assessments; technical and operational guidance; CJ and LE partner coordination | |
Results | DevResults enrollment, standard metrics, M&E guidance; program and project design support, monitoring frameworks, and evaluation services | |
Anti-Crime Sanctions & Deterrence Tools (ASDT) | 7031c and "3c" visa restrictions, Narcotics/TOC Rewards Programs (up to $25M), OFAC sanctions | |
Reporting | INL compliance with Congressional reporting requirements: INCSR, Majors List, Combating Global Corruption Act Report |
Distribution Lists
Main DL
RCD Managers
Interagency Liaisons
Functional Office
INL/SAO
Office of Security Assistance and Operations
Serving as a trusted advisor, partner, and advocate, INL/SAO empowers the bureau to advance INL's mission by delivering centralized executive management and administrative services through expert collaboration, leadership, service, and support — optimizing assistance coordination, providing sound financial management, safeguarding effective management controls, and ensuring compliance with Federal and Department regulations and policies.
→ Come to this office when you need…
Noteworthy Highlights
Staff Training — 35% Knowledge Increase, $4–5B in Annual Funding
SAO training programs increase staff knowledge by over 35% on average and confidence by nearly 25%, directly supporting effective management of $4–5 billion in annual funding across programs in 90+ countries.
SAO/RCD Co-Lead: PCN & CPIF Processes
SAO and RCD jointly lead the Program Concept Note (PCN) and Country Priority Indicator Framework (CPIF) processes. RCD leads on strategy and policy; SAO leads on budget and required approval processes, including 653(a) allocations and the Bureau Resource Request (BRR).
Key Contributions
Implementing Mechanisms
Oversees all bureau foreign assistance agreements — grants, contracts, IAAs, IO-LOAs, MOUs, and PILs. Provides expert advice in developing those agreements to advance Administration priorities and ensures adherence to all regulatory policies.
Budget & Assistance Coordination
Manages budget planning, formulation, and funds control for INL's appropriated budget — ensuring sufficient funding reaches INL's programs and operations both domestically and abroad in concert with Administration priorities, including bilateral letters of agreement with partner countries.
Financial Management
Provides financial services supporting INL programming worldwide: funds distribution, spend plans, pipeline reconciliation, vendor payments, and financial reporting across $4–5 billion in annual foreign assistance.
Administration & HR Support
Delivers comprehensive HR services for Civil Service and Foreign Service employees — recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluations, time and attendance, and FS assignments. Also provides IT, travel, inventory, procurement, and general administrative support to domestic offices.
Accountability, Training & Compliance
Trains and supports INL staff while protecting bureau resources through risk assessment and strong management controls. Houses construction and IT SMEs, manages end-use monitoring, responds to OIG/GAO/FOIA requests, and chairs the Information Management Advisory Council.
Team & Contacts
Sub-Office Organization
| Team | Roles & Responsibilities | Distribution List |
|---|---|---|
Implementing Mechanisms (IM) | Grants, contracts, interagency agreements (IAAs), IO letters of agreement, MOUs, PILs; contracting and agreement officer functions; regulatory compliance | |
Assistance Coordination (AC) | Budget planning, formulation, and funds control for INL's appropriated budget; bilateral letters of agreement with partner countries | |
Financial Management (FM) | Funds distribution, spend plans, pipeline reconciliation, vendor payments, and financial reporting | |
Administration & Support (AS) | HR services (recruitment, onboarding, performance, time & attendance) for CS and FS staff; FS assignments; IT, travel, inventory, procurement, and general administrative support | |
Accountability & Training (AT) | Risk assessment, management controls, compliance; end-use monitoring; OIG/GAO/FOIA response; construction and IT SME advisory; Information Management Advisory Council |
Distribution Lists
Main DL
Leadership & Div Chiefs
Training
Travel
Exec Asst / Taskers