FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Employee should possess skills and demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with colleagues, counterparts in various USG agencies, high-ranking foreign representatives, and representatives of diverse cultures, and be able to utilize tact and diplomacy on all occasions. Employee must meet the education/experience requirements IAW OPM guidelines for the Foreign Affairs Series 0130 Occupational requirements. (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/foreign-affairs-series-0130/) Work occasionally requires global travel away from the normal duty station; travel on military or commercial aircraft is required. The employee must able to perform multiple, long-term (up to 90-days or more) TDYs at several global locations to attend training, conferences and meeting with foreign nationals. The employee must obtain the appropriate International Affairs Case Life Cycle Management certification level per established timelines and maintain certification through continuous training. This position is not a Key Position. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, Foreign Affairs Series 0130. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: EDUCATION: 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 EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: 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. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the International/ Foreign Affairs Security Assistance Management Manual and associate responsibilities of a Case/Country Manager (CM) as a USAF’s subject matter expert and primary point of contact for planning and executing of assigned Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case(s) including acquisition, contracting milestones, programming, logistics, finance, monitors student requirements, tracking program(s), and training development; Knowledge FMS cases as contractual agreements between the U.S. Government (USG) and a foreign Nation; knowledge of the working foreign governments, the nature of their military and civilian governmental structures, and the culture and political dynamics influencing them. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of USG International/Foreign Affairs objectives, Arms Export Control Act (AECA), and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) processes, and/or understanding of international relations policy objectives within Security Assistance/Cooperation Programs. Knowledge and technical skill to develop, analyze, and evaluate training options within the legal scope of an FMS program and diplomatically communicate complex plans to USG and international stakeholders. Ability to analyze and coordinate a FMS cases for specific requirements, within USG and DoD regulatory policy, for money, manpower, materiel, facilities, and services needed to support the program and when necessary apply the federal acquisition process for development, implementation, line management, execution, and closure of FMS training cases. Knowledge of the procedures for the development, coordination, and planning for the formulation of Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) to include cost, schedule, and availability of DoD or contractor provided training options. Ability to work complex project management issues with foreign governments, their military, and U.S. industry with an understanding of cultural, socio-political, and economic dynamics. In-depth ability to use office computer software applications in the preparation of word documents, spreadsheets, and presentations; ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically in written and oral mediums PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
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