FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary

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Duties

The primary purpose of this position is: The incumbent performs professional level work in support of policy development and implementation at a senior level. Analyzes DoD acquisition, security assistance, international armaments cooperation, national disclosure and other policy directives to determine their impact on Air Force international security cooperation policies and programs and advises the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IA) leadership on opportunities and potential impediments, and recommended approaches. Develops and disseminates appropriate policy guidance and directives to MAJCOM and field organizations. Defines and interprets these policy directives and advises field organizations on implementation. Works directly with international focal points throughout the Air Force in identifying opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborative activity with Allies. Forms and leads International Cooperative Agreement Teams (ICATs) for complex, multi-national initiatives in accordance with relevant policy and law. Conducts liaison with key HQ Air Force Staff, other Service, DoD elements, and OSD stakeholders in areas such as requirements, acquisition, science and technology, and plans and operations to ensure a coordinated approach to international security cooperation within the DoD and to the extent possible relevant intelligence community organizations. Represents and communicates Air Force interests and US positions, as authorized, to foreign governments and international organizations. Duties Performs professional level work in support of policy development and implementation. Develops strategies for the international agreements (IA) negotiation process, as appropriate, with representatives of allied governments. Leads negotiations on complex international agreements. Advises Team personnel on the final steps necessary for obtaining Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) authority to conclude the International Agreement. Advises the Armaments Cooperation Division (SAF/IAPC), individual SAF/IA Country Directors, the Director of Policy (SAF/IAP), the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IA) and other organizations regarding the technical and acquisition management aspects of current and potential international armaments cooperation programs. Determines appropriate collaboration vehicle (i.e., Agreement, or Foreign Military Sales case) and carries out staffing actions appropriate at the Headquarters Air Force level to establish and successfully execute security cooperation program as a result of leading ICATs for proposed international projects and programs.

Qualifications

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, Foreign Affairs Series 0130. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: 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. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. Courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. 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. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience may have been through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries. 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-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes extensive knowledge of US statues, treaties and executive branch agreements, and US administration policy governing international cooperation in research, development, and acquisition (ICRD&A). Expert knowledge and understanding of specific US statutes regarding ICRD&A activities such as the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), including the legal requirements for ensuring that USAF international agreement language is in compliance with accepted US standards; Extensive knowledge of DoD directives, Air Force policy directives and instructions, and international agreements governing the establishment and management or ICRD&A programs. Working knowledge of precedents, practice and procedures, both formal and informal, of the ICRD&A environment; In-depth knowledge of international cooperative programs and principles of international finance and financial transactions. Specific knowledge of US and DoD policies and practices pertaining to the expenditure of US funds overseas, use of foreign funds on international armaments cooperation projects, and international funds transfer policies and procedures in order to review, revise and/or approve funding needs of international armaments cooperation program managers. 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-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 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: Comprehensive knowledge of US foreign policy objectives, the US alliance structure, USAF and DoD acquisition policies and their impact on international programs, and the DoD international agreements process. Expert skill in managing and coordinating complex activities in a multi-functional environment involving interaction with senior executive and management levels of the Air Force, DoD, and international customers. Ability to apply knowledge and experience to a wide range of other programs and issues with particular emphasis on international activity. Comprehensive ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, by preparing and presenting briefings and reports to senior US and foreign governmentofficials. Ability to develop improvements in or design new work methods and procedures. Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of subordinate organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources. Skill in planning and adjusting work operations to meet changing or emergency program or production requirements within available resources and with minimum sacrifice of quantity or quality of work. Skill in