This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/529928800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
USAID is a key foreign affairs agency of the U.S., and the world's premier international development agency. USAID's work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. We work in close partnership with the foreign governments, private voluntary organizations, universities, American businesses, trade and professional associations, faith-based organizations, and other U.S. Govt. agencies.
Learn more about this agency04/08/2019 to 05/06/2019
$85,181 - $160,392 per year
FP 02
No
Occasional travel - Frequent travel may be required and overseas travel is required.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
02
No
No
2019-GC-01-MAB
529928800
Current excepted service federal employees.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Applications will be accepted from United States Citizens.
USAID seeks the best-qualified professional candidates who are willing to make a long-term career commitment to the Foreign Service and international development. A career in the Foreign Service (FS) is a commitment to public service, supporting the diplomatic and development goals of the United States. Our Foreign Service Officers work alongside Civil Service employees and contracted staff in our offices in Washington, DC and overseas.
USAID currently has 62 staff members in the Office of the General Counsel in Washington, comprised of Civil Service and Foreign Service attorneys, paralegals, administrative, and support staff. Foreign Service staff members are primarily based overseas with periodic postings in Washington. USAID has 49 Foreign Service attorneys stationed in 38 field missions as Resident Legal Officers. Most tours of duty last two to four years.
Foreign Service attorneys overseas provide legal advice to USAID Missions. Missions plan and implement overseas activities and are typically co-located with U.S. embassies and consulates. Legal work focuses on matters of U.S. and international law applicable to assistance programs and personnel overseas. The work is fast-paced, with attorneys regularly facing highly complex and novel legal and policy issues arising from emerging international events and assistance priorities.
USAID offers a robust career skills training program. Attorneys enjoy a high rate of personal satisfaction and professional success within the ranks of USAID's Foreign Service. A Foreign Service career can also involve difficult living and working conditions that require a strong commitment to the Agency's mission. Attorneys serve most of their careers overseas at various USAID missions in developing countries after an initial training period in Washington, D.C., of one to two years, unless Agency requirements necessitate an earlier assignment overseas. New entrants begin their careers in a formal training program, followed by rotational on-the-job, Washington DC-based training for 12-18 months, which may include foreign language training. After completion of Washington training, new entrants are assigned to an overseas mission. This initial assignment is a directed assignment where the Agency's Human Capital and Talent Management office determines the optimal placement for the new employee, taking into consideration the employee's prior experience and family situation. After completing the initial posting, the employee enters USAID's competitive bidding system where all Foreign Service Officers express their preferences for follow-on assignments in line with bidding instructions. All Foreign Service Officers should anticipate serving at hard to fill countries multiple times during their careers.
New Foreign Service Officers have five years in which to earn tenure in the Foreign Service. Tenure requirements include foreign language proficiency and successful performance during at least three years in the agency, of which 18 months must have been on a permanent overseas assignment in one of USAID's field offices. Medical and security clearances must be updated.
Foreign Service Officers must be world-wide available for assignments. Although personal desires are taken into account, postings are ultimately made based on Agency needs. Attorneys should expect to serve at least one 1-year tour in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and/or South Sudan, which are unaccompanied posts. Attorneys may also be assigned to other hardship posts, such as Bangladesh, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mali, Nigeria, and/or Sudan.
Foreign Service attorneys are leaders in Agency innovation and change. This entails crafting tailored solutions to new development challenges. Attorneys negotiate and draft international agreements and other instruments that serve the foreign policy and international development interests of the United States. Their expertise is regularly and urgently needed when the U.S. Government responds to international crises and events, such as natural disasters or political changes. USAID attorneys serve as key advisors on a wide range of legal and policy matters, such as project design and implementation, contracting and grant-making, international law, investment and credit activities, and personnel and ethics matters. Attorneys have significant engagement with partner country governments, international organizations, and both U.S. and foreign private entities. As a result, skills in cross-cultural communications and understanding are essential.
Prior overseas experience, especially in developing countries, and/or prior demonstrated interest in international development, while not required, helps in equipping candidates for work with USAID.
See below.
Desirable:
USAID is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment. Attorneys from a variety of legal backgrounds, including other government agencies (including military judge advocates), non-governmental organizations, law firms, corporations and public international organizations, are encouraged to apply.
Graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (or foreign equivalent).
Transcripts from any and all foreign educational institutions must be accompanied by an official Evaluation of Educational Credentials in order to be considered for the position.
If you are qualifying based on foreign education you must submit proof of credibility of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Failure to do so will result in the application rated as incomplete and being eliminated from consideration. If we are unable to determine that you meet the required education you will be found ineligible for further consideration. More information may be found at: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
These are Testing Designated Positions (TDPs) under the Agency's approved Drug-Free Work Place Program. All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors. This Agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be case-by-case. Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment background investigation and medical clearance. Eligible applicants will be asked to submit forms required for a security clearance and suitability determination for appointment to the position. The clearance process considers such factors as: registration for the Selective Service; failure to repay a United States Government-guaranteed student loan; past problems with credit or bankruptcy; failure to meet tax obligations; unsatisfactory employment records; violations of the law; drug or alcohol abuse; a criminal record; extensive travel; education; residence and/or employment overseas; dual citizenship; foreign contacts; immediate family or relatives who are not citizens of the United States and/or a foreign born spouse; or less than honorable discharge from the armed forces. Investigations, which usually take several months, include current and previous contacts, supervisors, and coworkers. These investigations are conducted by USAID in cooperation with other federal, state, and local agencies. SELECTIVE SERVICE. As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law. DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
Foreign Service attorneys engage in a wide variety of activities in each assignment and across their careers with USAID. These activities are similar in nature to work performed in other contexts where applicants may have experience, including:
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated initially based upon your resume and cover letter, which will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications for this position. Candidates invited for an interview will be evaluated based on the responses they provide during one or more interviews.
USAID considers both paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors. The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date.
Application Process
To apply for these positions, please submit 1) Resume; 2) Cover Letter; 3) D-214 (Veterans Only); 4) SF-50 (Former or Current Federal Employees).
We will not accept hand delivered resumes.
After determining basic eligibility and qualifications, best qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after a final decision has been made. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. A final job offer is contingent upon satisfactorily passing the background investigation and obtaining the proper security clearance.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/529928800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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