RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Duties
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Major Duties:

The incumbent operates under the general direction and administrative guidance of the Dean of Academic Affairs, who assigns program responsibilities, provides administrative direction, defines success criteria, and directs research priorities. The role involves significant independence in supporting the WJPC mission.

• Research: All research associates are required to conduct directed and independent research and produce scholarly studies and strategic analyses involving security and defense topics in the Western Hemisphere. Research associates are expected to support faculty in the production of high-quality analysis for U.S. government and partner government audiences. The articles can be scholarly or policy-oriented. Research associates follow rigorous scholarly protocols based on sound research methodology, data collection, and evaluation to shape U.S. strategy and inform U.S. policy. This effort includes promoting research products through short articles and opinion pieces/blog posts.
  • Research associates keep abreast of strategic studies, U.S. policy, and research activities in their area of expertise across the DoW, the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Services, other government agencies, industry, and academia.
  • As required, the Research associates travel to the region and domestically to attend meetings, conferences, and symposia to engage with DoW staff and agencies, Combatant Commands, government agencies, academic institutions, and businesses.
  • Research associates ensure all actions contribute professionally and positively to timely attainment of assigned group or team objectives.
• Engagement: Research associates may be required to interact with and present study and research results to senior DoW officials, other government agencies, foreign partners, civilian institutions and businesses. Research associates deliver oral briefings, organize and participate in briefings, roundtables, workshops, or conferences (or their equivalent), and prepare and disseminate event and trip reports and other analytical products throughout DoW and other relevant government agencies.
• Administrative Requirements: Research associates are expected to comply with all administrative requirements in an effective and timely manner. this standard includes completing conference, travel, and country clearance requests, travel vouchers, trip reports, training requirements, and other administrative forms and task as required. They are also expected to work closely with Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation (AM&E), Outreach & Alumni Affairs, and Operations Staff to develop routine Center reporting to Office of the Secretary of War (OSW).
• Program Management: Research associates will be assigned a portfolio of academic related programs to manage. These programs are cross-cutting and affect WJPC academic activities (e.g. courses, seminars).
  • Independently plans, designs, and executes projects, studies, and activities within the assigned program job scope.
  • Organizes and oversees programs to align with the mission and goals of WJPC.
  • Develops new programs as required to support the Center's strategic direction.
  • Provides advice and consultation to professors, the Dean, Associate Directors, and the Chief of Staff to identify and resolve issues related to their assigned portfolio.
  • Makes or recommends decisions on policies, operations, and administrative procedures.
  • Drafts, implements, and maintains procedures and controls to ensure smooth and effective program operations. Coordinates activities to prevent delays and enhance services.
  • Identifies program resource needs and communicates them to management.
  • Prepares and analyzes program reports, directs the gathering of information, and evaluates processes.
• Platform Management: Assists in developing and managing platforms and products, including databases, websites, and other knowledge-sharing repositories.
• Liaison Duties: Coordinates with visiting professors and guest speakers, assisting with their administrative needs for WJPC activities.
• Additional Duties: Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/)
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• The position is governed by 10 USC 1595 and NDUI 1416.0l dated March 2017.
• Must be able and willing to travel both domestically and internationally. Travel is seldom required. Less than 20 % of the time.
• The incumbent must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 3 years with the possibility for extension.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Earned master's degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline such as international security (defense/war) studies, international relations/affairs, public policy, and/or public management.
• Minimum of one year of relevant professional experience.
• Excellent written and communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Demonstrated high-quality analytic research skills:
  • Proven capacity to propose and conduct empirical research leading to practical policy advice and implementable programmatic recommendations.
  • Ability to conduct cross/multi-disciplinary analysis and synthesis.
  • Proven capacity to write under strict professional standards.
  • Ability to effectively organize and communicate findings to a policy or practitioner-oriented audience.
  • Rapid knowledge acquisition and learning from various methodologies, models, frameworks, or areas of inquiry.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively, placing team mission and professional integrity before personal agenda.
• Ability to perform in a matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders and priorities.
• Detail-oriented organizational skills.
• Self-management and performance in a changing, fast-paced work environment.
• Professionalism and proficiency in international environments and among senior officials.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with fieldwork research methodologies.
• Knowledge of defense or security sector strategic planning.
• Understanding of new public management and governance benchmark models.
• Proficiency in Portuguese or French.
• Experience living, working, and/or studying in other countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement: An earned master's degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline such as international security (defense/war) studies, international relations/affairs, public policy, and/or public management. Official transcripts will be required at time of selection to verify educational requirements are met.

Official Transcripts: If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications (i.e. you would not qualify without the education obtained), you MUST submit transcripts with your application.

• • Official transcripts are not required at the time of application outside of what is outlined above; however, official transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment.
  • An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.
• FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying or prior to appointment as outlined above.
  • Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education

Additional information

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) leads, directs and manages security cooperation programs and resources to support national security objectives that build relationships that promote U.S. interests, build allied and partner capacities for self-defense and coalition operations in the global war on terrorism, and promote peacetime and contingency access for U.S. forces.

DSCA has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings; health, life, and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. DSCA employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy, and the opportunity to telecommute.

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Non-Critical Sensitive position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Secret- security determination to occupy a Non-Critical Sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Initial Probationary Period: You will be required to serve an initial probationary period of 18 months.

Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.