These job openings are in the Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization, Office of Transition Initiatives (CPS/OTI) at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Attention all applicants: The Crisis Operations Specialist announcement (GS-0130-15) will close soon. To be considered, submit your application before October 16. Rest assured, all applications received before the deadline will be reviewed and qualified candidates referred to hiring panels.
Summary
These job openings are in the Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization, Office of Transition Initiatives (CPS/OTI) at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Attention all applicants: The Crisis Operations Specialist announcement (GS-0130-15) will close soon. To be considered, submit your application before October 16. Rest assured, all applications received before the deadline will be reviewed and qualified candidates referred to hiring panels.
Manages international political transition crisis operations, including identifying potential risks and developing interventions that mitigate potential threats;
Collaborates with stakeholders to promote U.S. foreign policy and national security interests;
Develops strategies and policies in international assistance crisis operations utilizing extensive field experience managing political transition programs in multiple conflict environments;
Analyzes and evaluates complex information, including international political, economic, and socio-cultural factors, to identify potential risks and develop interventions that align with U.S. foreign and national security policies and strategies;
Analyze political transitions, advise senior leaders, provide recommendations and assessments for decision-making, resource allocation, budget requests, program and strategy development;
Build relationships with key stakeholders in foreign governments, NGOs, and multilateral organizations that support U.S. initiatives and national security policies, strategies, and development; and
Identifies and proposes solutions to problems towards planning the direction of future international crisis programs and/or operational functions that have implications for US foreign or national security policy, strategy, programs, and budgets.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. The security clearance level requirement for this position may vary based on the nature and responsibilities of the job.
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
These are Testing Designated Positions under the Agency's approved Drug Free Workplace Program. All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency.
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: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods.
OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
OR
Experience: four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.
Specialized Experience:
GS-15: You need at least one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience refers to full-time work, while part-time roles are considered on a prorated basis. Qualifying specialized experience includes:
Extensive field experience managing complex political transition programs in multiple conflict environments;
Providing expert advice to and leading negotiations with senior officials on international political transition crisis operational or technical issues and policies;
Representing, negotiating, and convincing senior government and stakeholder officials in one or more operational and/or technical sectors critical to the delivery of civilian-based international rapid response assistance;
Leading, convening, negotiating, and coordinating with international, interdisciplinary, and interagency groups and senior officials within and outside the U.S. in programs, policies and strategies impacting key foreign policy priorities related to political crisis operations; and
Assessing the effectiveness of processes and procedures related to the implementation, management, and operations of international rapid response programs/projects for a civilian-based international assistance donor response organization working in crisis environments.
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 working within a rapid response international assistance organization where the mission focuses on political transitions and stabilization in conflict environments, including field experience managing multiple country programs and headquarter experience providing strategic guidance.
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.
Education
Review the Basic Requirements of this vacancy announcement for education requirements. Unofficial transcripts are required at the point of submission since these positions do have a minimum education requirement.
If you have received your education at a foreign college or university, you may use it to meet the education requirements as long as you can demonstrate that the foreign education is similar to that you would have received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. You must provide such evidence with your application. Find a list of accredited organizations recognized for interpreting foreign education credentials at www.naces.org/members.php.
Additional information
USAID is an independent agency that provides foreign policy guidance to the Secretary of State. With headquarters in the District of Columbia, we operate in more than 100 countries worldwide to help support and promote U.S. foreign policy interests. USAID's mission is to help vulnerable populations worldwide by providing aid when crises occur, rights are repressed, and hunger, disease, and poverty limit opportunities. We maintain a commitment to providing a safe and respectful workplace, free from sexual misconduct, harassment, exploitation, and abuse. For more information about USAID, you can visit our website at http://www.usaid.gov. If you want to know more about human trafficking or ways to address it, visit http://www.state.gov/g/tip.
Electronic fund transfer is required for selected candidates. We do not cover moving or relocation expenses.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy:
USAID is committed to equal employment opportunity; therefore, reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Reasonable Accommodation Division in the Office of Civil Rights at reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov. Reasonable accommodation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more about the Reasonable Accommodation Division, please visit our website at: https://www.usaid.gov/careers/reasonableaccommodations.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement:
At USAID, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to achieving our mission of creating a safer, healthier, more democratic, and more prosperous world. As such, we strictly prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace and all employment-related decisions. We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses any form of discrimination or harassment to report it to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) or an EEO Counselor within 45 days from the date the discrimination was believed to have occurred. We do not tolerate workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, of any kind and will take appropriate action to address such misconduct before it becomes severe or pervasive enough to be unlawful. We are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment for all our employees and to upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. To learn more about the EEO Policy Statement, visit our website at https://www.usaid.gov/open/policy-statement/oct-07-2021-equal-employment-opportunity.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The two-phase assessment process of your application starts with determining whether or not you possess the necessary qualifications, followed by determining if you rate amongst our most qualified applicants. We must emphasize including related experience in the first five pages of your resume; while longer resumes will not be removed from consideration, they will not be given any preferential treatment either. The Subject Matter Expert (SME) reviews this section alone when making their decision regarding an applicant's level of competitiveness.
In the first phase, an SME will review your application against the specialized experience statement for the grade level(s) for which you choose to apply. Only applicants who clearly document experience equivalent to the specialized experience requirements in their resume will move to the second phase. Please note that applicants who copy and paste the specialized experience statements in their resume will be removed from further consideration.
In the second phase, our SME will assess your application against the following competencies to find out which of our three categories (Gold, Silver, or Bronze) you fall into. If considered a Gold category candidate, then you will be referred to an interview panel for further consideration. The competencies are:
International Crisis Operations Management
Planning and Evaluating
Strategic Thinking
Problem Solving
Partnering
Quality Ranking Factor (QRF):
QRFs are Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) that can significantly enhance performance in a position. Although not required for satisfactory performance, possessing the QRF may rank the candidate higher compared to those who do not possess it. It is important to note that lacking a QRF will not result in disqualification from further consideration.
To be considered amongst the most qualified candidates, please ensure you document the QRF in your resume. For this position, the Quality Ranking Factor is holding an active or recent (no more than 18 months break) security clearance. A security clearance indicates the knowledge and understanding of handling classified information and the importance of confidentiality and security, either in government or private sector operations.
In accordance with OPM regulations for professional and scientific occupations, eligible veterans will receive preference over non-veterans within their respective rating category (i.e., Gold, Silver, Bronze).
Please keep in mind that SMEs can only base their evaluations on what is documented in your resume and cannot guess on your level of experience or quality of skillset mentioned. To limit any potential bias during this process, we highly encourage all applicants to carefully review the requirements noted in the announcement prior to submitting applications so they can thoroughly list any related skills or experiences that satisfy the specialized experience requirements as well as competencies listed.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you need to prepare a complete Application Package including:
Resume: Your resume should detail your name, work schedule, dates of employment (month/year), hours worked per week, and duties performed. Review "What should I include in my federal resume?" for guidance on developing an outstanding federal resume.
Supporting Documents: Your application package must include:
Cover Letter (optional)
Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable)
Schedule A Eligibility Letter (if you are applying as a Schedule A candidate)
Agencies must obtain prior approval from OPM for current or recent political appointees to be appointed to competitive or non-political excepted service positions at any level under title 5, United States Code. If you have served as a Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch within the last five years, you must disclose it to the Human Resources Office and submit an SF-50 if you are currently or were formerly a political appointee.
To be considered for this position, make sure to submit all required documents when you apply. Missing documents will make your application incomplete and you won't be considered for the job. Please double-check that you've included everything before you hit the submit button, as you won't be able to update your application once you've submitted it.
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.
1. Familiarize yourself with the requirements and qualifications listed in the vacancy announcement.
Read the entire announcement carefully to ensure you understand the position's duties, responsibilities, and requirements.
Make sure you meet the qualifications listed before applying.
2. Prepare your resume and supporting documents to showcase your qualifications.
Tailor your resume to the position and highlight relevant experience and skills.
Include any supporting documents required, such as transcripts, certifications, or references.
3. Return to this vacancy announcement and click on the "Apply" button.
This will take you to the application portal.
4. Sign in to your existing Login.gov account or create a new one if needed.
Follow the prompts to create an account or sign in to an existing one.
5. Upload your resume and supporting documents, answer any required eligibility and qualification questions, and then click "Continue to Agency Site."
Make sure all required documents are uploaded and any questions are answered accurately and truthfully.
6. Review biographic information, complete a few short questions, and attach documents to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Double-check all information and documents to ensure they are correct and complete.
7. Click the "Submit Application" button to finalize your submission.
Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation message.
Applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically and received by 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. If you have difficulty submitting your application online, please contact the Human Resources Help Desk at least two business days before the closing date of the announcement. Our office will provide an alternative application method upon approval of the hardship notification. Please note that any requests to apply via alternative plans after the closing date will not be granted.
Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20523
US
Next steps
Thank you for submitting your application for the open positions. After the cutoff dates below, all applications received up to that date will be reviewed. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
1st cutoff: May 25, 2023
2nd cutoff: August 23, 2023
3rd cutoff: November 21, 2023
4th cutoff: February 19, 2024
If your application is referred, the hiring manager will review your application and determine whether to invite you for an interview. If you are not selected, your application will remain on file for possible consideration for future vacancies for up to four months.
Additional cutoff dates will be added as vacancies occur. If you miss one of the established cutoff dates, we encourage you to reapply and submit a new application.
Note that due to the large volume of applications we receive, only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are highly qualified will be contacted. We appreciate your interest in this position and thank you for considering a career with us.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you need to prepare a complete Application Package including:
Resume: Your resume should detail your name, work schedule, dates of employment (month/year), hours worked per week, and duties performed. Review "What should I include in my federal resume?" for guidance on developing an outstanding federal resume.
Supporting Documents: Your application package must include:
Cover Letter (optional)
Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable)
Schedule A Eligibility Letter (if you are applying as a Schedule A candidate)
Agencies must obtain prior approval from OPM for current or recent political appointees to be appointed to competitive or non-political excepted service positions at any level under title 5, United States Code. If you have served as a Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch within the last five years, you must disclose it to the Human Resources Office and submit an SF-50 if you are currently or were formerly a political appointee.
To be considered for this position, make sure to submit all required documents when you apply. Missing documents will make your application incomplete and you won't be considered for the job. Please double-check that you've included everything before you hit the submit button, as you won't be able to update your application once you've submitted it.
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.
1. Familiarize yourself with the requirements and qualifications listed in the vacancy announcement.
Read the entire announcement carefully to ensure you understand the position's duties, responsibilities, and requirements.
Make sure you meet the qualifications listed before applying.
2. Prepare your resume and supporting documents to showcase your qualifications.
Tailor your resume to the position and highlight relevant experience and skills.
Include any supporting documents required, such as transcripts, certifications, or references.
3. Return to this vacancy announcement and click on the "Apply" button.
This will take you to the application portal.
4. Sign in to your existing Login.gov account or create a new one if needed.
Follow the prompts to create an account or sign in to an existing one.
5. Upload your resume and supporting documents, answer any required eligibility and qualification questions, and then click "Continue to Agency Site."
Make sure all required documents are uploaded and any questions are answered accurately and truthfully.
6. Review biographic information, complete a few short questions, and attach documents to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Double-check all information and documents to ensure they are correct and complete.
7. Click the "Submit Application" button to finalize your submission.
Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation message.
Applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically and received by 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. If you have difficulty submitting your application online, please contact the Human Resources Help Desk at least two business days before the closing date of the announcement. Our office will provide an alternative application method upon approval of the hardship notification. Please note that any requests to apply via alternative plans after the closing date will not be granted.
Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20523
US
Next steps
Thank you for submitting your application for the open positions. After the cutoff dates below, all applications received up to that date will be reviewed. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
1st cutoff: May 25, 2023
2nd cutoff: August 23, 2023
3rd cutoff: November 21, 2023
4th cutoff: February 19, 2024
If your application is referred, the hiring manager will review your application and determine whether to invite you for an interview. If you are not selected, your application will remain on file for possible consideration for future vacancies for up to four months.
Additional cutoff dates will be added as vacancies occur. If you miss one of the established cutoff dates, we encourage you to reapply and submit a new application.
Note that due to the large volume of applications we receive, only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are highly qualified will be contacted. We appreciate your interest in this position and thank you for considering a career with us.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
