Foreign Affairs Officer (Colin Powell Leadership Program)

Summary The Colin Powell Leadership Program is seeking highly motivated applicants from a variety of backgrounds who possess the potential and aspiration to become future Civil Service leaders at the U.S. Department of State. We are looking for candidates with demonstrated leadership potential as well as excellence in academic, cross-cultural, and communication skills. This vacancy announcement will be open from 10/28-11/3/2024, or when 300 applications have been received, whichever comes first. Responsibilities The Colin Powell Leadership Program is a one-year competitive service program. The incumbent receives work assignments and will complete specified career-related training and developmental assignments designed to provide productive work experience and to provide leader experience applicable to a future career in federal service. GS-07: Essential duties of this position may include: Gathers and reviews information and data submitted from a wide variety of sources. Contributes to the development of potential approaches to issues and participates in drafting policy options for presentation to Department and USG policymaking officials and staff, other bureau working level contacts and the Office Director. Working with other teammates and senior officers, the incumbent interprets the significance of events or developments in the assigned geographical region to U.S. policy and programmatic goals. Contributes to development of recommendations based on analyses, and assists in planning and implementing new policies, regulations, or legislation. Prepares informational reports, briefing materials, correspondence, and other documents related to the office served. Responds to tasking requests, prepares memoranda and other necessary documents to support the Office and Bureau leadership in meetings related to assigned geographical/thematic areas. Participates in reevaluating office activities for relevance and effectiveness in light of changing priorities, resources, and strategic objectives. Other duties as assigned. GS-09: Essential duties of this position may include: Gathering and reviewing information and data submitted from a wide variety of sources. Contributes to the development of potential approaches to issues and participates in drafting policy options for presentation to Department and USG policymaking officials and staff, other bureau working level contacts and the Office Director. Contributes to clearing analytical products with relevant Departmental and other organizations, and modification of drafts as necessary and appropriate. Working with other teammates and senior officers, the incumbent interprets the significance of events or developments in the assigned geographical region to U.S. policy and programmatic goals. Contributes to development of recommendations based on analyses, and assists in planning and implementing new policies, regulations, or legislation. Assesses impacts of options and alternatives, anticipates potential policy problems, judges authoritativeness of facts and information, and ensures that policy recommendations are consistent with USG and Departmental objectives. Prepares informational reports, briefing materials, correspondence, and other documents related to the office served. Participates in intra and interagency meetings and discussions on issues relevant to the Office. Other duties as assigned. GS-11: Essential duties of this position may include: Gathers and reviews information and data submitted from a wide variety of sources. Contributes to the development of potential approaches to issues and participates in drafting policy options on controversial or politically sensitive issues for presentation to Department and USG policymaking officials and staff, other agency working level contacts and the Office Director. Contributes to clearing analytical products with relevant Departmental and other organizations, and modification of drafts as necessary and appropriate. Interprets the significance of events or developments in the assigned geographical region to U.S. policy and programmatic goals. Contributes to development of recommendations based on analyses, and assists in planning and implementing new policies, regulations, or legislation. Assesses impacts of options and alternatives, anticipates potential policy problems, assesses their impact and Congressional reaction, and ensures that policy recommendations are consistent with USG and Departmental objectives. Prepares analytical reports, briefing materials, decision memoranda, correspondence, and other documents related to the office served. Recommends priorities for the office and Bureau’s strategic planning and program planning processes, based on in depth awareness of trends, opportunities, and the work of foreign affairs organizations. Advises office leadership on draft operation plans, notices of funding opportunities, requests for statements of interest/requests for proposals for office programs. Responds to tasking requests, prepares memoranda and other necessary documents to support the Office and Bureau leadership in meetings related to assigned geographical/thematic areas. Represents the office in intra and interagency meetings and discussions on issues relevant to the Office. Other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited towards qualifications. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. Applicants applying for the GS-07 grade level must meet the following requirements: Completion of a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major (or equivalent) 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. A cumulative GPA of 3.2 out of 4.0 is required. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of the position to be filled. Note: All applicants WILL BE required to submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for this position. Applicants applying for the GS-09 grade level must meet the following requirements: Completion of a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major (or equivalent) 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. A cumulative GPA of 3.2 out of 4.0 is required. Additionally, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree is required. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of the position to be filled. If only one year of graduate level education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent has been completed, specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level will be considered. Note: All applicants WILL BE required to submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for this position. Applicants applying for the GS-11 grade level must meet the following requirements: Completion of a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major (or equivalent) 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. A cumulative GPA of 3.2 out of 4.0 is required. Additionally, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree is required. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of the position to be filled. If only two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree has been completed, specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level will be considered. Note: All applicants WILL BE required to submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for this position. These positions will be across the Department. Some of the potential placements may be with, but are not limited to, the following bureaus: Bureau of Administration Bureau of Comptroller and Global Financial Services Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs International Organizations Bureau of Economic Business Affairs Global Talent Management Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Education Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. Candidates must meet the DOS qualification standards applicable to the position being filled. All applicants must meet the qualifications by the closing date of this announcement. A cumulative GPA of 3.2 out of 4.0 is required for consideration for the Colin Powell Leadership Program Fellowship appointment. At the successful conclusion of the program, fellows may be eligible for non-competitive reassignment to a Federal career or career-conditional position in the competitive service. Reassignments are not guaranteed. To be eligible for conversion, the candidate must meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the fellow may be converted. Additional Information SELECTIVE SERVICE - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify prior to appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION - This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not get full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.