Position serves as the Research Director in the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Voice of America (VOA), Digital Office - Strategy and Audience Development. The incumbent has full responsibility for overseeing VOA's research program, including designing, executing, supervising, presenting and overseeing all research activities. The incumbent will work to develop, execute, and oversee a sophisticated, complex research strategy encompassing annual and multi-year research activities.
Summary
Position serves as the Research Director in the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Voice of America (VOA), Digital Office - Strategy and Audience Development. The incumbent has full responsibility for overseeing VOA's research program, including designing, executing, supervising, presenting and overseeing all research activities. The incumbent will work to develop, execute, and oversee a sophisticated, complex research strategy encompassing annual and multi-year research activities.
This announcement is open to all current Federal Competitive Service, Career and Career-Conditional employees. Applicants who have non-competitive eligibility, such as, Schedule A disability, Peace Corps or VISTA, reinstatement eligibles, etc. AND those eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) or Interchange Agreements with other Merit Systems may also apply.
As a VOA Research Director, you will be responsible for duties to include, but are not limited to:
Develop and oversee the implementation of multi-year global research strategies and activities:
Create and execute an Annual Research Plan.
Oversee and participate in developing and measuring performance-based research that drives the achievement of the agency's highest-level priorities.
Identify and describe target audiences by understanding content preferences and providing input to potential format changes, transmission requirements, and distribution opportunities.
Represent VOA in developing the USAGM Impact Model and in other forums:
Update the Impact Model and produce regular surveys and qualitative data to monitor the performance of content entities and individual USAGM elements against strategic goals and performance levels.
Participate with other research directors to plan for, oversee, and implement strategy, programmatic activities, and budgeting of research across the USAGM.
Negotiate and provide oversight on all VOA research contracts, including the International Audience Research Project (IARP), as well as qualitative, digital, and experimental research projects funded by USAGM.
Prepare and oversee research projects through VOA research staff and contractors.
Supervise a team of two to three research analysts:
Planning work to be accomplished and setting priorities.
Making work assignments and measuring work results.
Setting performance standards; evaluating staff and contractors; and giving advice
and performance feedback.
This is a national security position. If selected, this position requires the completion of the SF-86.
Suitability Determination: If selected, you may be subject to a background investigation to establish your suitability for federal employment. The background investigation may include, among other aspects, a review of your credit and legal history.
This position is not covered by a union agreement.
This position has been designated supervisory requiring that the selectee on an initial appointment as a supervisor or manager serve a one-year probationary period. This position may require serving a one-year probationary period.
If selected for this vacancy, you may be required to file the OGE Form 450 (Confidential Financial Disclosure Report).
The full performance grade level for this position is GS-14.
If you are a male applicant who is born after 12/31/59, you are required to be registered for the Selective Service.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the GS-13 or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and includes ALL of the below:
Leading research of news broadcasting and global media consumption;
managing qualitative and quantitative research projects;
conducting studies of media types and practices in a variety of societies and cultures; and
measuring global audience and key trends and assesses impacts of programs or campaigns.
Proficiency in a foreign language such as Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, or other widely spoken language is preferred but not required.
Education
Education is not required for this grade level. It cannot be used for qualification purposes.
Additional information
1. Candidates MUST meet all qualification requirements by closing date.
2. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency. For Military Selective Service Act requirement information, please visit https://www.sss.gov.
3. Your application to this vacancy announcement will only allow consideration for this announcement. We cannot electronically or manually move your application to corresponding announcements if applicable.
4. Additional vacancies not reflected in the announcement that occur after the opening date of the vacancy announcement for position(s) identical (same grade, series and title) to the original vacancy may be filled from the selection certificate during the validity of the certificate.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once your resume or application is submitted, a review of your qualifications will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements and competencies required for this position.
Competencies:
Communications and Media
Leadership
Planning and Evaluating
Research
Possession of competencies may be addressed in a cover letter and/or resume. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
Resume
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s), which may not be required for all applicants:
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
RIF Letter, Separation SF-50, or other document supporting ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
Personnel actions or other documents supporting eligibility under interchange agreements with other merit systems.
Documents that support Military Spouse eligibility, Peace Corps or VISTA eligibility, eligibility under Interchange Agreements with other Merit Systems, or any other non-competitive appointment eligibility.
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Proof of Marriage Status
Resume
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Although the required documents listed in this announcement only indicate that a resume is required, other documents is required in specific circumstances. All required documents must be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
1. Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, subpart F. Your latest SF-50 must be submitted for proof of time-in-grade.
2. If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 80 or above on the rating criteria for this position. ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
3. Current and reinstatement eligible applicants must submit a Personnel Action (SF-50) indicating grade, competitive service, and career or career-conditional tenure.
4. Current status candidates must submit a copy of their latest Performance Appraisal.
5. If education is a requirement or there is an option to use education for qualification purposes, you must submit your unofficial transcripts with your application package at the time of applying or before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If selected for the position, you will be required to submit official transcripts before your Enter on Duty date.
6. Applicants applying under Schedule A Disability must submit an appropriate letter from a physician.
7. Applicants applying under Peace Corps or VISTA eligibility must submit a letter supporting eligibility.
8. Applicants applying under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 must submit a DD-214 stating discharge type. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.
9. Applicants applying for consideration under an Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems must submit a recent SF-50 or other personnel action (e.g., Post Office, Non-appropriated fund), reflecting status as a current employee under an approved system.
10. Applicants applying under the military spouse authority must submit proof of eligibility including a marriage certificate. This must also include permanent change of station orders, proof of veteran's 100% disability, DD-1300 Report of Casualty, and/or SF-15, as applicable.
11. Applicants under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act must submit SF-50 forms to demonstrate service in eligible appointments for more than 24 months without a break. Proof of satisfactory performance (i.e. appraisals) during this period is also required.
12. If you are applying under a special hiring authority not listed above, please refer to the requirements for that authority and submit the necessary supporting documentation, such as an SF-50 (or equivalent) or a certificate of eligibility. For more information, visit the USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities page.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered in the profile is accurate and all required documents are uploaded and submitted before 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/22/2023 of the announcement to receive consideration.
Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload the documentation to the system by the closing date of this announcement.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you've applied as well as the status of each application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
Once the online questionnaire and application package is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
Resume
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s), which may not be required for all applicants:
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
RIF Letter, Separation SF-50, or other document supporting ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
Personnel actions or other documents supporting eligibility under interchange agreements with other merit systems.
Documents that support Military Spouse eligibility, Peace Corps or VISTA eligibility, eligibility under Interchange Agreements with other Merit Systems, or any other non-competitive appointment eligibility.
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Proof of Marriage Status
Resume
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Although the required documents listed in this announcement only indicate that a resume is required, other documents is required in specific circumstances. All required documents must be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
1. Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, subpart F. Your latest SF-50 must be submitted for proof of time-in-grade.
2. If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 80 or above on the rating criteria for this position. ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
3. Current and reinstatement eligible applicants must submit a Personnel Action (SF-50) indicating grade, competitive service, and career or career-conditional tenure.
4. Current status candidates must submit a copy of their latest Performance Appraisal.
5. If education is a requirement or there is an option to use education for qualification purposes, you must submit your unofficial transcripts with your application package at the time of applying or before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If selected for the position, you will be required to submit official transcripts before your Enter on Duty date.
6. Applicants applying under Schedule A Disability must submit an appropriate letter from a physician.
7. Applicants applying under Peace Corps or VISTA eligibility must submit a letter supporting eligibility.
8. Applicants applying under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 must submit a DD-214 stating discharge type. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.
9. Applicants applying for consideration under an Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems must submit a recent SF-50 or other personnel action (e.g., Post Office, Non-appropriated fund), reflecting status as a current employee under an approved system.
10. Applicants applying under the military spouse authority must submit proof of eligibility including a marriage certificate. This must also include permanent change of station orders, proof of veteran's 100% disability, DD-1300 Report of Casualty, and/or SF-15, as applicable.
11. Applicants under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act must submit SF-50 forms to demonstrate service in eligible appointments for more than 24 months without a break. Proof of satisfactory performance (i.e. appraisals) during this period is also required.
12. If you are applying under a special hiring authority not listed above, please refer to the requirements for that authority and submit the necessary supporting documentation, such as an SF-50 (or equivalent) or a certificate of eligibility. For more information, visit the USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities page.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered in the profile is accurate and all required documents are uploaded and submitted before 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/22/2023 of the announcement to receive consideration.
Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload the documentation to the system by the closing date of this announcement.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you've applied as well as the status of each application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
Once the online questionnaire and application package is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
