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SENIOR POLICY FELLOW

Department of Defense
National Defense University
Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 3 years with the possibility for extension.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/22/2024 to 06/20/2024
Salary
$140,288 to - $177,660 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort McNair, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 3 years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
4
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NDU-12416026-24-EB
Control number
792223600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

Duties

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Serves as Senior Policy Fellow at the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD Center), Institute for National Security Studies, National Defense University.

1. Leads the design, development, and execution of studies and analyses to enhance understanding of both WMD threats to U.S. interests and U.S. responses to prevent, mitigate, or eliminate the threat, including strategic and integrated deterrence, in support of the WMD Center's policy support and research activities. Maintains expert knowledge on relevant national security and Department of Defense strategies and policies. May coordinate the efforts of others in this area. 50%

2. Leads the design, development, and execution of exercises, workshops, conferences, and/or other meetings in support of the WMD Center's research, policy support, and experiential learning and leader development responsibilities, to enhance understanding of both WMD threats to U.S. interests, and whole of government responses to prevent, mitigate, or eliminate the threat. May coordinate the efforts of others in this area. 40%

3. May supervise the work of more junior personnel, as assigned, including setting annual work objectives, providing inputs to performance evaluations, identifying developmental opportunities, monitoring work performance, and setting work priorities. 10%

4. Interacts on a professional basis and builds productive relationships with Center staff and personnel from the National Defense University, U.S. Government agencies, foreign governments, international organizations, academic and the private sector, as required.

5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/)
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • The position is governed by 10 USC 1595 and NDUI 1416.0l dated March 2017.
  • This is a Top Secret position which requires a background investigation.
  • The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a SCI Security Clearance security determination to occupy a SCI Security Clearance position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Possess at least an earned Master's or equivalent graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or international equivalent) in a discipline relevant to countering weapons of mass destruction; an earned doctorate or other terminal degree is preferred.
  • Has a minimum of ten years of professional experience in a field relevant to countering weapons of mass destruction, preferably in a senior or leadership position associated with civilian or military components of the U.S. Government.
  • Demonstrate the ability to undertake studies and analysis projects related to countering WMD issues, to include serving as the principal investigator, conducting literature reviews and interviews, organizing and leading workshops and tabletop exercises.
  • Demonstrate the ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of cogent written products and develop and deliver concise and effective oral presentations.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interact on a professional basis and build productive relationships with Center staff and personnel from the National Defense University, U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, international organizations, academia, and the private sector, and to lead collaborative efforts.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Knowledge of the full range of countering WMD issues, especially as they relate to U.S. Government national security and homeland security policies, and strategies, and an understanding of WMD characteristics and strategic deterrence, is strongly preferred.
  • Experience in supervising more junior personnel, including setting annual work objectives, conducting performance evaluations, identifying training requirements, monitoring work performance, and setting work priorities.
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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement: Possess at least an earned Master's or equivalent graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or international equivalent) in a discipline relevant to countering weapons of mass destruction; an earned doctorate or other terminal degree is preferred.

Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment, if selected for the role.
* An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence PRIOR to appointment.

    • Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
    • For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

NDU has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings; health, life, and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. NDU employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy, and the opportunity to telecommute.

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Special Sensitive position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security determination to occupy a Special Sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Initial Probationary Period: You will be required to serve an initial probationary period of 18 months.

Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.

How you will be evaluated

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

To qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described above. A NDU screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria to evaluate your qualifications for the position. NDU uses a multi-tier selection process for academic positions.

You MUST upload a Cover Letter from your resume addressing the following hiring criteria:(each response should not exceed 2 pages)

1: Describe your professional experience in the countering WMD area, Identify what aspects of WMD you worked on, what organizations you worked for and with, at what level you served, and your duties and responsibilities. Identify your most notable accomplishments in the WMD area.

2: Describe your experience and ability to undertake studies and analysis projects related to countering WMD. Identify the focus of your studies and analysis efforts, what products (written and oral) you produced, which written products were published or posted and by whom, the organizations for whom you did the research or analysis, and your understanding of the impact of your efforts.

3: Describe your ability to develop, facilitate, and lead senior level results-focused discussions exploring complex strategic or operational issues. These can include deep-dive explorations, workshops, roundtables, and tabletop exercises. Identify the outcomes an impact of these activities.

4: Provide examples of how you have built productive relationships through professional interactions with colleagues, U.S. and foreign government officials and military officers, officials of international organizations, academics and/or private sector professionals. Describe the levels at which you have built those professional interactions.

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