Clarification from the agency

Administratively Determined, Full-Time, Term-Appointed Position (The initial term of appointment is one year and is renewable by mutual agreement. The position is not covered by provisions of 5 USC that apply to Executive Branch employees regarding appointment, termination, competitive service selection, and pay related rules and regulations.)

Under the direction of the Director for Economics and Trade, the position is responsible for policy and issue analysis of China and U.S.-China relations primarily in the fields of economic and trade issues.

1. Monitor, investigate, and assess developments relevant to the Economics and Trade Team's portfolio including, but not limited to, the topics identified in Requirements and Qualifications, below.
2. Prepare detailed written and oral analyses and assessments of issues within the Economics and Trade Team's portfolio.
3. Work with designated senior staff and team members to support hearing co-chairs in developing, planning, and executing Commission hearings.
4. Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor for Commissioners on within the Economic Team's portfolio, in support of their advice to Congress, and in briefings and advice to staff of Members and Congressional committees.
5. Research and draft assigned portions of the Commission's Annual Report.
6. Support Commissioners in their mandate-related duties by providing the information necessary for Commission deliberations, briefings to Congress, and other substantive engagements as well as coordinating the logistics required to arrange, execute, and follow up from such events and meetings.
7. Draft Congressional testimony, talking points, and other communications for Commissioners and represent the staff at conferences and with government, academia, and private sector groups.
8. Conduct literature reviews, expert interviews, and other initial research to identify potential avenues for Commission research and public hearings.
9. Provide substantive review on external contracted research reports.
10. Develop and sustain a professional network of China-focused professionals in the U.S. government, private sector, and academia.

Senior Analysts only:
1. Mentor junior team members and assist in developing templates and processes for implementing the Commission's research cycle.
2. Lead ad hoc teams in project-based work, establishing milestones and timelines, and managing the project, workflow, and quality control of input from other teammates (non-supervisory role).

Conditions of employment

Applicants must be eligible for a security clearance. Upon appointment, the selectee will be required to undergo a background investigation, and during the employment period may also be required to obtain and hold a Federal security clearance up to the Top Secret/SCI level. An active clearance is not a prerequisite for applying for or initiating employment. All candidates must be available to work in-person in Washington, D.C.

Qualifications

1. Strong and demonstrated ability to present information clearly and concisely through both written and oral reports. This includes quickly identifying the core questions in a request, devising an appropriately scoped research approach to address those questions, and providing the results of that research in a succinct and compelling manner.
2. Advanced research, analytical, and evaluative skills, including the ability to synthesize and analyze large amounts of disparate data on emerging and/or controversial issues. Experience researching and writing about one or more of the following areas: macroeconomics, finance, trade, and technology.
3. For Analysts, demonstrated knowledge of one or more, and continued growth in multiple, of the following areas. For Senior Analysts, experience working in or demonstrated knowledge of at least three of the following areas.

• The overall state of China's domestic economy;
• China's financial system, including its banking system and capital markets, and their regulation;
• China's evolving policy and regulatory landscape, including market access for foreign companies, protection of intellectual property rights, data security, food and product safety, energy, and technology development;
• China's economic diplomacy and statecraft, including its participation in international economic governance and standards organizations;
• Trade policies and practices of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, as well as which agencies within these jurisdictions are responsible for determining, implementing, and supervising, and conducting trade policies relationships;
• U.S.-China bilateral trade and investment flows, and their impact on U.S. national security, industries, and workers;
• China's adherence to U.S.-China bilateral commitments, its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization, and other multilateral agreements;
• Trade laws, regulations, procedures and goals of the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch, especially those pertaining to the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, as well as to the control of exports and regulation of securities issuance and trading; and
• The overall composition of international trade, and the application of economic principles in U.S. bilateral and multilateral trade, financial, and economic relations.

4. Professional proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, to include ability to effectively utilize original language sources of electronic and print information in developing policy-relevant original research and analysis.

Senior Analysts only:
1. At least five years of relevant professional work experience with three or more years on China-related economic issues.
2. Professional work experience representing your organization to external audiences or customers, leading projects, or supervising other employees.

How you will be evaluated

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

The Commission will evaluate your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to assess your qualifications and experience. The Director of Economics and Trade, Executive Director, and appropriate staff will interview the top candidates. The Chairman and/or Vice Chairman may interview the final candidates. The final hiring decision will be made by the Executive Director.

Interviews will consist of two parts: 1) interviews with the Director of Economics and Trade, Executive Director, and appropriate staff; and 2) a writing test.