Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No prior federal service required.

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• Mentors and guides staff through assignments designed to foster development of skill sets required for effective team performance;
• Researches topics in international assistance crisis operations and develops strategies, plans, and guidance for application into U.S. Government (USG) policies, programs and/or operational functions;
• Coordinates, advises, and collaborates on interventions with Agency leadership and external stakeholders on developments and approaches for effective international assistance crisis operations in support of U.S. foreign policy objectives;
• Develops strategies for implementing international crisis operations policies, programs, and/or operational functions; and
• Conducts organizational strategic planning, including identification of resources and expertise, aligning organizational and international crisis operations goals and objectives.

Conditions of employment

• United States Citizenship is required.
• Relevant experience (see Qualifications below).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• You may be required to serve a two-year probationary period if selected.
• Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer is required

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

The first step in the evaluation process requires meeting Basic Requirements, Specialized Experience, and Selective Placement Factor stated below. Please refer to the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for further details. Ensure that all relevant experience is clearly stated in your resume and unofficial transcripts are submitted to verify your education level. To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following requirements: Degree: You need to hold a degree major or equivalent, or complete courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in one of the following fields: International law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or humanities. Alternatively, you can complete 12 semester hours in one of the above fields and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods;

OR

Combination of education and experience: You can combine related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as outlined in option 1, with appropriate experience or additional education;

OR

Experience: If you don't have a degree or meet the education requirements outlined above, you must have a minimum of four years' work experience in one or more of the fields mentioned above, in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.

Specialized Experience:

GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. Examples of qualifying specialized experience at the next lower level for this position includes: (a) leveraging expertise in international affairs and crisis operations to conduct research and provide guidance on developing and managing programs that support political transitions, stabilization, or humanitarian relief in conflict environments; (b) developing and monitoring comprehensive strategies, and evaluating the impact of programs in a variety of settings; (c) providing leadership, coaching, and mentorship to team members supporting rapid response activities for an international assistance organization working in crisis environments; and, (d) Working with stakeholders from other federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, host country representatives, and private sector organizations to achieve program and operational goals that support international crisis operations.

Please note that qualifying specialized work experience may have been gained through a variety of activities, including residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other foreign work experience. Make sure to document your experience thoroughly in your resume.

Selective Placement Factor:

This position has a Selective Placement Factor, which is a skill, knowledge, ability, or other characteristic essential for the job's satisfactory performance. The Selective Placement Factor represents the minimum requirements for this position and is a prerequisite for appointment. Applicants who do not meet the Selective Placement Factor are ineligible for further consideration.

Selective Placement Factor: Experience in successfully managing a team and providing technical or operational support for rapid response operations or programs in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. This experience should be gained from working in an organization that focuses on community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, political analysis, or human rights. It is required that the applicant demonstrate experience with a broad range of stakeholders, including host-country representatives, other governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. This is a selective placement factor, and applicants must possess this qualification on their first day of work.

Experience includes both paid and unpaid activities, such as volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work provides training and experience that can translate directly to paid employment. Qualifying experience, including volunteer experience, that aligns with the duties of this position will be considered.

How you will be evaluated

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

Our assessment process for these positions consists of two phases: a resume review and a competency-based assessment. During the resume review phase, subject matter experts evaluate your application against the specialized experience and selective placement factor statements for the grade level(s) you applied for. The experts only review the first five pages of your resume, so it is important to note relevant experience in that space. After the first phase, only applicants who clearly document experience equivalent to the specialized experience requirement will move to the competency-based assessment.

To be considered among the most qualified candidates, please ensure that you thoroughly document your KSAs, including the QRF, in your resume. SMEs can only evaluate applicants based on what is documented in their resume, so it is important to carefully review the requirements noted in the announcement prior to submitting your application.

Please review the full announcement on the USAID Careers Page to apply and for more information on the assessment process.