Clarification from the agency

Open to all qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States.

The incumbent will work with the Kennan Institute (KI) Director to develop a wide range of initiatives on programming in the region.  The responsibilities will include:

• Developing conferences and seminars—to include designing the agenda, recruiting speakers, and working with other KI staff and partner organizations to ensure the implementation of needed logistical arrangements.
• Drafting and assisting with all phases of producing publications based on events and projects, to include original writing, editing, and overseeing all aspects of the editing, design, and printing of bulletins, reports, and articles in the associate’s areas of expertise;
• Arranges travel and hotel accommodations for staff members and participants in the Institute's activities.
• Publish and manage upcoming event information on the wilsoncenter.org website.
• Updating purchase orders, confirming meetings, and other administrative tasks.
• Managing the day-to-day operations of the Kennan Institute.
• Identifying and working closely with partner organizations in areas of expertise, maintaining fluid communications and exchange and identifying opportunities for joint activities.
• Conducting outreach and engagement with KI’s network of Fellows and Global Fellows, including fellowships sponsored by the Kennan Institute.
• Working closely with other KI staff on budget oversight and management.

Conditions of employment

• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period
• Pre- appointment background investigation
• Must participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds for salary payment
• Must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Applicant must have at least 12 months of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the IS-06 level, or equivalent pay band in other pay systems in the Federal government. This experience may also have been obtained in the private sector, but must demonstrate that it is comparable to the IS grade indicated. This experience should include activities such as:

- Supporting communications activities and strategies, including social media content (e.g., Twitter and Instagram), and event promotion;

- Providing event planning, logistical, and administrative support functions; 

- Using tools such as google analytics to evaluate content performance and inform communication strategies;

- Drafting and proofreading written documents (i.e. correspondence with external partners, talking points, and other general office correspondence);

- Using a variety of software packages such as Microsoft Office, Canva, Buffer, Asana, Wave Video, and Headliner to perform office and communications activities;

- Conducting research related to Russia, Ukraine, and other successor states to the Soviet Union;

- Possessing a basic understanding of accounting, grant management, and budgetary skills.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will also possess the following attributes:

- Possess a 4 year degree in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines such as International Law, Economics, Europe/Asia History, and International Politics.

- Possess a limited working proficiency (basic verbal and written communication in a wide variety of situations) in Russian, Ukrainian, or another language relevant to the post-Soviet region.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

For more information on the qualifications for this position, link to OPM Qualification Standards

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to 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.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

How you will be evaluated

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

Applications are evaluated and rated under Category Rating and Selection procedures. Category rating combines the applicant's total experience and/or education/training into a single category. Your application will be rated based on the following competencies:

• Event planning and logistics
• Oral communication
• Written communication
• Travel coordination and logistics 
• Using office automation software (Microsoft Suite products)

Qualifying applications will be placed into one of the following categories:

1. Gold (Best Qualified)
2. Silver
3. Bronze

Applications in the Best Qualified category will be evaluated to ensure that the Specialized Experience and other eligibility requirements are met and supported/verified by the résumé and supplemental documents submitted.

Note: Additional assessment/s may be included as part of the application, which may include, but not limited to, providing a writing sample, a timed writing assessment and/or an interview.