Foreign Affairs Specialist

Summary

This position is part of the Department of Defense (DoD), Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The incumbent will be responsible for: Formulating recommendations and suggested language for agreements, negotiating strategies, and policy statements to protect and ensure BMDS interests.

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Duties

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This position is being filled under AcqDemo Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for non-acquisition positions involving 51% or more of time in direct support of acquisition positions within Business and Technical Management Professional Career path.

As a Foreign Affairs Specialist at the NH-0130-3 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Formulates recommendations and suggested language for agreements, negotiating strategies, and policy statements to protect and ensure BMDS interests.
• Researches and analyzes political, military, and technical data, information, and issues required to support effective MDA political-military and arms controls activities, including conducting special studies to address the implications of export control laws, treaties, and advances in new and emerging technologies.
• Assists in the development of programmatic and technical material required for position papers, reports, briefings, testimony, and Congressional inquiries, including the development of correspondence and the presentation of overview briefings on political-military and arms control issues and related activities. - Establishes and maintains liaison and coordination with counterparts at both internal and external organizations on political-military and arms control issues.
• Prepares material on critical and sensitive issues for meetings with DoD Policy and Acquisition staff.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Maxi Flex
• Recruitment Incentives: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees based on agency policy and availability.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible.
• This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.
• Employee must obtain/maintain Non-critical Sensitive/Secret security clearance

Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH03Broadband Level, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-02/GS-11 grade level in the Federal service as listed below and must meet 2 of the 3 specialized experience listed below to be qualified:

• Experience with U.S. foreign policy and the national security policy-making environment and coordination process.
• Experience with international defense politics, technology transfer, and export control regulations, with a strong ability to build consensus and influence key stakeholders across interagency and allied
  partners.
• Experience with the functions of DoD and the Department of State as they relate to and affect organizational goals and corresponding ability to communicate orally and in writing, including the ability to prepare complex material addressed to higher authority.

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0130, series as listed below:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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.

NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Other Notes:

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.

You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

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.

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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.

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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.