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Intelligence Research Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide

Summary

This position is in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 50 § 3024(v) and appointments are made without regard to the requirements of the Competitive Service by laws, Executive order, or OPM regulations.

This position is located in the Bureau of Intelligence & Research, Office of Analysis for Terrorism, Narcotics, and Crime, (INR/TNC), and analyzes classified and open-source information on global terrorism, narcotics, and crime and their impact on U.S. foreign policy and interests.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/08/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 8, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - 25% travel required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
S/INR-EXC-2026-0021
Control number
871166900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Department of State employees within the Bureau of Intelligence & Research (INR) only.

Duties

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  • Serve as the senior intelligence research specialist providing all source analysis on enduring and emerging terrorism trends in east, central, and southern Africa, with a focus on Islamic terrorist threats.
  • Lead intelligence support and analysis on major terrorism threats from the region to inform key national security deliberations, support interagency coordination, and enhance diplomatic efforts to counter regional terrorism.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with counterparts in INR, policy clients in the Bureau of Counterterrorism, Intelligence Community partners, and other U.S. government experts.
  • Represent the Department in interagency meetings, advise Department policymakers, brief key congressional stakeholders, and serve as a government-wide expert in intergovernmental and non-governmental fora.
  • Advise on and perform intelligence research bearing on U.S. relations with foreign governments and international organizations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information

Qualifications

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

Experience applying political, international, economic, historical, geographic, or related expertise and intelligence methods to produce policy‑relevant assessments for U.S. foreign policy.

Experience collaborating with internal stakeholders, the Intelligence Community, and other national security agencies, to carry out national intelligence activities and interagency processes.

Experience briefing and drafting analysis for senior policymakers on terrorism trends in east, central, and southern Africa.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov. 
  • If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days.
  • Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

For this announcement, all applicants will be assessed to determine if they meet the qualifications for this position, specifically the education, specialized experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to perform the work of the position. All applications that meet the required qualifications and determined to be best-qualified will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Your resume limited to two pages serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following KSAs and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:

  • Knowledge of U.S. counterterrorism policy and programs.
  • Skill in all-source terrorism analysis and assessment.
  • Ability to align intelligence support with policy and program needs.
  • Knowledge of U.S. foreign and national security policy processes.
  • Skill in negotiation and mediation.
  • Ability to advise senior officials on complex intelligence issues.

Veterans:  Although consideration of Veterans’ Preference is not required under 50 U.S.C. § 30240(v) to the extent it would be under the competitive service; the Department of State considers veterans' preference as a positive factor in the hiring process.


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Department of State - Agency Wide

The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides employees with a dynamic international career whether at home or abroad and unique professional development opportunities.  Each day, our employees make a difference as they advance the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance.  We embrace our talented workforce which reflects the personal, professional, and educational strengths of our country. 

Named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes, we offer a workplace that values and rewards leadership, collaboration, innovation, and personal and professional development. Visit careers.state.gov to learn more about what it's like to work at the U.S. Department of State, what the agency does, the wide range of careers this agency offers, and the benefits available to employees.

Agency contact information

Imani A. Taylor
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
TaylorIA@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
Not accepting applications by Mail
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States

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