The U.S. State Dept. unit focused on the drug war in Mexico is searching for a strategic communications advisor to work with its public affairs operation in Mexico City.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, operating out of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, is dangling a one-year contract for a PR consultant to help engage Mexicans and serve as the principal advisor to the so-called Merida Initiative, a $1.9 billion effort that has the U.S. helping Mexico and other Central American countries fight drug smuggling and organized crime.

Developing and disseminating PR efforts, managing strategic communications for the Merida Initiative, speech writing, media inquiries and other tasks are included.

PR consultants seeking the work must be U.S. citizens with eight to 10 years of PR or PA experience who can obtain a State Dept. security and medical clearance.

Sec. of State Hillary Clinton and Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs Patricia Espinosa met last week with other officials to review the Merida Initiative, noting progress in training police and judicial officials, expanding jails and tightening border security.

"In the five years since we announced the Merida Initiative, our efforts have led to major quantitative and qualitative advances in bilateral cooperation against transnational organized crime," they said in a joint statement Sept. 18.

An initial one-year contract will carry four options years.

Details are at fbo.gov.