Assistant US Trade Representative for World Trade Organization and Multilateral Affairs

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess all of the Executive Core Qualifications and Professional/Technical Qualifications listed. These qualifications would typically be acquired through education, senior level experience, and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in leading and managing a comprehensive program in a complex organization. Qualification Requirements: You must submit a separate narrative statement that addresses each of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) related to this position as well as the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) related to all positions in the Senior Executive Service. Your narrative statements should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification. Structure your statements in terms of the action taken, the context or environment in which the action was taken, and the outcome or results from such actions. You should write each statement with the vacancy in mind as all qualifications are directly related to the position being filled. If you do not submit a separate statement addressing the ECQs and MTQs, you will not receive consideration for the position. MANDATORY TECHNIAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): You must address each technical qualification separately. You are required to respond to all technical qualifications. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application and you will be rated as ‘ineligible.’ Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following MTQs: MTQ 1: Describe your skills in managing a policy staff in developing policy positions on issues related to negotiation and administration of U.S. trade agreements with specific experience in World Trade Organization (WTO) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Examples of specific issues on which there must be experience include WTO accessions, customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, and government procurement. MTQ 2: Describe your knowledge of World Trade Organization (WTO) and demonstrated competence, including specific negotiating experience, in the WTO and demonstrated ability to operate effectively in multilateral trade for WTO, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). MTQ 3: Describe your demonstrated ability to secure the cooperation of foreign counterparts, government agencies, and high-ranking officials and to blend together diverse backgrounds and interests towards goals favorable to the United States. MTQ 4: Describe your demonstrated skill in preparing written policy briefing and option papers, as well as in making presentations to senior level officials in the public and private sector, and to foreign government officials on technical information and policy issues. Please limit your narrative statements to 10 pages (one and a half pages per factor). Each ECQ should contain at least two examples describing your experiences and accomplishments/results. For further information and tips on writing effective narrative statements, see OPM’s publication ‘A Guide to SES Qualifications available on the OPM website at: http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2010.pdf. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Mandatory Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the SES under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five executive core qualifications. The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential, not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. Your narrative must address each ECQ separately and should contain one or two examples per ECQ describing your experiences and accomplishments/results. The narrative should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions. Applicants should not enter “Refer to Resume” to describe your experiences. Applications directing the reviewer to search within the application or to see the resume are considered incomplete and may not receive further consideration. The narrative must not exceed 10 pages. Note: If you are a member of the SES, have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certificate of Completion of SESCDP) of your eligibility for appointment to the SES. THERE ARE FIVE (5) EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The following Fundamental Competencies are cross-cutting and should be addressed over the course of your ECQ narrative. It is not necessary to address them directly as long as the narrative, in its totality, shows mastery of the competencies on the whole. The competencies are: Interpersonal Skills; Oral Communications; Continual Learning; Written Communication; Integrity/Honesty; and Public Service Motivation. ECQ 1: Leading Change – This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. ECQ 2: Leading People – This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. ECQ 3: Results Driven – This core qualification involves the ability to meet organization goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. ECQ 4: Business Acumen – This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. ECQ 5: Building Coalitions/Communications – This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
This position is located in the Executive Office of the President (EOP), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Incumbent serves as Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) for WTO and Multilateral Affairs.