Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. citizens. THIS POSITION IS ALSO BEING ADVERTISED UNDER OIG-2020-0022 UNDER THE 511 AUDITOR SERIES. ONLY ONE POSITION WILL BE FILLED.

The Office of Audits (AUD) is headed by the Assistant Inspector General for Audits (AIGA). The audits conducted by AUD: (1) encompass operating, administrative, data processing, and financial activities; (2) determine compliance with laws and regulations; and (3) assess degree of achievement of program objectives regarding claims, costs, cost proposals, and pricing data for contracts, grants, cooperative agreements other agreements entered into or proposed by DOS. AUD is also responsible for: (1) preparing the OIG annual audit and evaluation plan; (2) following up on actions taken on audit and evaluation findings and recommendations; and (3) reviewing audits performed by audit firms contracted for that purpose.

The Middle East Region Operations (MERO) directorate is headed by the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits for the Middle East Region (DAIGA/MERO). MERO’s geographic area comprised of 33 countries and territories from Northern Africa, through the Middle East, to Asia. MERO conducts and coordinates OIG oversight of crisis and post-conflicts areas such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. MERO also conducts and coordinates oversight of Overseas Contingency Operations occurring in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

MERO performs audits and evaluations of Department and embassy programs and operations throughout the region such as construction, diplomatic and personal security, law enforcement training, antiterrorism training, countering terrorism messaging, foreign assistance monitoring, operations and maintenance of embassies, trafficking in persons, counternarcotics, and refugee programs. These audits and evaluations determine compliance with laws and regulations and assess the degree of achievement and effectiveness of program objectives including following up on actions taken on evaluation findings and recommendations. MERO also works cooperatively with Office of Investigations referring information regarding potential violations of law and providing support for the Office of Investigations presence in the Middle East region. As the DAIGA/MERO, the incumbent reports directly to the AIGA and serves as a full deputy with regards to Middle East Operations. The DAIGA/MERO is also the principal operating advisor to the AIGA on audit matters and oversees the planning, conducting, and supervision of audits and evaluations of all DOS and USAGM organizational units in the Middle East. The DAIGA/MERO is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of MERO's Office Directors and their staff, including the execution and coordination of audits and evaluations, the writing and issuance of audits and evaluation reports, special projects, correspondence and other communication related to audits and evaluations.

The incumbent plans, organizes, coordinates and executes all aspects of the OIG's work related to Overseas Contingency Operations in the Middle East and Asia, specifically to encompass audits and evaluations. The incumbent is the point person to respond to inquiries and requests for information from end users of OIG work In the MERO region, including the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), DOD Inspector General, USAID Inspector General and other government IGs and audit agencies, and State Department principals. The incumbent will also provide input for responses to Congress regarding MERO.

The incumbent directs the day-to -day activities of the MERO directorate to ensure that established professional standards, policies, and procedures are being adhered to in the conduct of audits and evaluations, closure of audit and evaluation recommendations, preparation of audit and evaluation reports, and other written communications; establishes audit priorities consistent with available resources, OIG policies and objectives, and the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.

The incumbent assists the AIGA in the development and implementation of the comprehensive annual Middle East Region audit and evaluation plan with primary emphasis on management (performance and contract) evaluations, and evaluations of DOS programs and activities based on the following established priorities: (1) diplomatic and personal security, (2) reconstruction and stabilization, (3) operations and maintenance support at Department missions, and (4) humanitarian efforts.

Conditions of employment

• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• One-year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually and upon termination of employment. This position is a drug-testing designated position subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's completion and favorable adjudication of a background security investigation.

Qualifications

Unless you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualifications (last five questions). All applicants must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Mandatory Technical Qualification questions in order to receive consideration for the position.

To view additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements available on the Office of Personnel Management's website please click here.

When responding to the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the Technical Qualifications and the Executive Core Qualifications.

Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives, and level of contacts. You should limit your narrative to two pages per Mandatory Technical Qualification and Executive Core Qualification.

Applicants who use "see resume" as a response will not receive consideration for the position.

Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ)

All applicants must address each of the MTQs in order to receive consideration for this position. 

For this position ALL applicants must address each of the following MTQs.

1) You must address the MTQs separately (as a separate document) and NOT through the question portion of the application process.

2) After preparing your MTQs, please upload the document as an "additional document" in the document upload section.

For this position ALL applicants must address each of the following MTQs:

1. To what extent do you have experience in managing highly complex and diverse audits and evaluations encompassing major organizations and supervising a large technical staff, including managing resources to achieved desired results and developing staff to perform at a high level of competence while measuring and improving organizational performance?

2. To what extent do you possess extensive knowledge and experience in planning, conducting, and reporting on performance audits of programs and operations in accordance with Government Auditing Standards?

3. To what extent do you possess knowledge, skills and abilities in interpersonal relation techniques to meet and deal effectively with others at all levels of authority and exert a positive influence though strong differences of opinion may exist?

4. To what extent do you possess a mastery of oral and writing communication skills to present clear and concise information, answer detailed questions, write memoranda and reports that effectively explain and articulate audit and evaluation findings and recommendations?

IF YOU DO NOT POSSESS THE MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, YOU MAY BE CONSIDERED INELIGIBLE FOR THIS POSITION.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

An Executive Review Board (ERB) and Qualifications Review Panel (QRP) consisting of senior officials will rate applicants based on the quality and extent of total accomplishments, experience and education. The ERB and QRP will determine the degree to which candidates possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the MTQ requirements of the position and the ECQ requirements. Among the factors the ERB and QRP will consider in determining the applicant's relative capacity and fitness for the position are education, training, experience, and demonstrated executive level qualifications. The ERB and QRP will rate your applications against each of the ECQs and MTQs to determine the best qualified candidates. Candidates determined to be best qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration for the position.