Foreign Affairs Specialist - Department of Defense - Arlington, VA

Department of Defense (DoD)

Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (OUSD(Policy))

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VETERANS CLAIMING PREFERENCE: PLEASE REFER TO THE OTHER INFORMATION SECTION FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON VETERANS PREFERENCE CRITERIA.

Mission Statement

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is the principal staff element of the Secretary of Defense in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management and program evaluation responsibilities. OSD includes the offices of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretaries of Defense, Deputy Chief Management Officer, Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Assistant Secretaries of Defense, General Counsel, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Assistants to the Secretary of Defense and Director of Administration and Management.

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: This announcement is open to: All U.S. Citizens

This position may be filled at either GS-12 or GS-13 grade level, please indicate the grade for which you want to be considered. If selected at the lower grade level, incumbent may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level in the time frame allowed by regulations and upon management’s request. Promotion is contingent upon satisfactory completion of required training, regulatory requirements and demonstrated ability to perform the duties. Promotion is not guaranteed or implied.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

Occasional Travel

As required by mission. RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

No KEY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Application materials must be received by 11:59PM EST on the closing date.

This is a drug testing designated position. DUTIES:
As a Foreign Affairs Specialist you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Balance immediate -term operational and security issues with the development of a long-term strategy and implementation plans for the United States and Afghanistan defense.

• Develop the analytical underpinning for U.S. policy and strategy regarding Afghanistan, and any outreach and engagement strategy within the interagency and with Congress. Serve the lead role in supporting the development, implementation and communication of Afghanistan policy.

•Provide support and analysis of relevant political, economic, and security issues that have implications for the bilateral defense and security relationship, as well as the wider region.

• Assist the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia) (DASD/APC) in the formulation of policy positions. Represent DASD(APC) in departmental and interagency policy working groups.

• Prepare speeches, talking points and other background information for public appearances or news interviews. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

This position has a Basic Requirement for the (0130) series:
1. Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods.

OR

2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

OR

3. Experience: four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.

• NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/foreign-affairs-series-0130/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by Monday, March 07, 2016 .

To qualify for the GS-13: You must have one year Specialized Experience equivalent to the GS- 12 level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private/military sector) giving the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Specialized experience required for this position is:

• Advise leadership on political-military matters affecting U.S. national security interest in Afghanistan


• Analyze U.S. national security policies in Afghanistan


• Prepare papers, briefings, and reports for leadership, Congress, and media regarding Afghan policies

To qualify for the GS-12: You must have one year Specialized Experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private/military sector) giving the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Specialized experience required for this position is:

• Research political-military matters affecting U.S national security interest in Afghanistan


• Assist with analyzing U.S national security policies in Afghanistan


• Gather data to assist with developing policies in relation to U.S security in Afghanistan

Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies:

1. Knowledge of the interrelationship between Afghanistan and the United States.

2. Knowledge of international diplomacy and national security.

3. Ability to communicate mission requirements domestically and abroad .

Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:

http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo.pdf

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time

OVERTIME: Occasionally

TOUR OF DUTY: Flexible

RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES: Not Authorized

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA): Exempt

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Not Required

TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position is telework eligible

SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: Please visit https://www.sss.gov for more information.

Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:

http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo.pdf

Other Notes:
Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. WHS job applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the WHS Reasonable Accommodation Program Manager. For more information see “Reasonable Accommodations” at http://www.whs.mil/our-services/people-services . Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Delegated Examining -Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement upon its closing for up to 90 days.

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
How You Will Be Evaluated:
We will review your résumé and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position. Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best Qualified: Candidates who possess experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s). Candidates are highly proficient in all of the job requirements and can perform effectively in the position almost immediately or within a minimum amount of training and/or orientation.

Highly Qualified: The next lower category for candidates that meet the minimum qualification of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s), and are proficient in most, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require minimum training and/or orientation in order to perform the duties of the position.

Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s) and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.

http://www.opm.gov/HiringReform/HiringReformRequirements/CategoryRating/index.aspx .

Names of the candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

Volunteer Experience: Your Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Veterans’ Preference: If you are entitled to veterans’ preference, you should indicate the type of veterans’ preference you are claiming on your résumé. Your veterans’ preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are entitled to veterans’ preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Qualified veterans’ preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on the position and grade level of the job. For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx. BENEFITS:

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. The following Web address is provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits

OTHER INFORMATION:
Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:

http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo.pdf

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VETERANS: The Office of Personnel Management has published the end date for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as August 31, 2010. To receive veterans’ preference for service during the Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom era, you must have served for more than 180 days between September 11, 2001 and August 31, 2010 OR be in receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal. The updated CFR language is available at: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5;node=5%3A1.0.1.2.20 . Other qualifying eligibility for preference (e.g., disability) remains unchanged.

• NOTE: If you submit a resume but no questionnaire, you cannot be considered for the position. If you submit a questionnaire but no resume, you cannot be considered for the position. Your application will be appropriately documented and you will be removed from further competition against this announcement.


• NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

HOW TO APPLY: To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package as described in REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

Click ‘Apply Online’ to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.

2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.

3. Applications must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To review the status of an application through USAJOBS:
1. Log into your USAJOBS account

2. Click Application Status within your profile to expand your application

3. Locate the job announcement and click the more information link under the Status column for this position. You will be routed to Application Manager. The Details tab displays by default. The Details tab displays comprehensive information about the selected Application Package including: assessment(s) and the status, supporting documents and their status, correspondence sent to you by the hiring agency, and your application processing status.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf . Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144. You are highly encouraged to submit your application package and complete your assessment questionnaire on-line.

If you cannot apply online:
1. Click to view and print the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire: View Occupational Questionnaire

2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the assessment questionnaire http://www.opm.gov./Forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf

3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:

http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo.pdf

Résumé: If multiple resumes are submitted by an applicant, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed for the qualifications and referred for selection consideration if eligible.

Assessment Questionnaire

Transcripts: REQUIRED– We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain the applicant’s name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned. Transcripts must be received in this office by 11:59PM EST on Monday, March 07, 2016 in order to be considered.

Additional documents you may be required to submit vary based on what authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying for one of the categories such as a veteran, a current or former permanent Federal employee, ICTAP, etc.).

PLEASE REVIEW the following LINK for additional documents you need to provide .

http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/FourthEstateRequiredSupportingDocumentation.pdf

If selected, additional documentation may be required prior to appointment.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO: OSD Servicing Team

Phone: (614)692-2646

Fax: (614)693-1505

TDD: (800)750-0750

Email: DHRS-DOSD@DLA.MIL

Agency Information:
Office of the Secretary of Defense

Human Resources Directorate

4800 Mark Center Drive

Suite 03D08

Alexandria,

VA

22350-3200

Fax: (614)693-1505