FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Duties

DUTY 1:

As a senior Foreign Affairs Specialist and Subject Matter Expert (SME), the incumbent is responsible for a broad range of complex assignments directly supporting the mission of the Directorate/Division/Branch. Serves as a senior expert and advisor to AFSAC's leadership on the political, economic, and military implications of engaging with foreign partners on acquisition programs, research and development, and sustainment activities. Analyzes foreign policy, international agreements, and political-military trends to assess their impact on the International Division's portfolio of programs and recommend strategic adjustments. Develops and recommends command-level positions on security cooperation initiatives, technology transfer, and FMS cases to ensure alignment with U.S. foreign policy and the Division's objectives. Prepares strategic assessments, background papers, and talking points for Division leadership in support of engagements with foreign delegations, industry partners, and interagency stakeholders.

DUTY 2:

Liaison and Interagency Coordination. Within the scope of the Directorate's mission, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with officials in key policy, oversight, and security cooperation organizations, including the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (SAF/IA), the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Department of State (DOS), the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Combatant Commands (CCMDs), and other U.S. government agencies. Represents the International Division's equities and coordinates on policy and execution matters in working groups and forums with SAF/IA and other interagency partners. Acts as a key facilitator between program offices and foreign partners to resolve complex and sensitive political-military issues that arise during the life cycle of international programs, ensuring SAF/IA is appropriately informed.

DUTY 3:

Program Planning and Policy Integration. Contributes to the strategic planning of the Directorate's future and current programs, providing expert advice on the feasibility and risks associated with new partnership initiatives. Reviews, evaluates, and contributes to the development of command-level policies and procedures that govern the execution of FMS and other international agreements, ensuring they are consistent with SAF/IA policy directives. Analyzes the effectiveness of existing international programs within the Division's portfolio, recommending strategies for improvement to local leadership and providing feedback to higher headquarters.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Mobility is a condition of employment. Incumbent must sign an AF-wide mobility agreement.
• Incumbent must be able to attain and maintain the required security clearance.
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• PCS cost will be paid IAW Career Broadening Policy under this agreement.
• Career Broadening positions are managed by AFPC/DPZ and are centrally funded.
• Positions are established specifically to provide developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of a high-potential, mid-level manager.
• Career Broadening also provides training and developmental opportunities at various organizational levels.
• These assignments offer the qualified candidate a unique assignment in that the candidates brings certain experience to the assignment while gaining new experiences in a different work environment
• TEMPORARY PROMOTION: If the position is filled as a temporary promotion, upon completion of the career broadening assignment, the temporary promotion may lead to permanent promotion without further competition
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• The employee may be required to work overtime and is required to be available to work other than normal duty hours, which may include weekends, evenings, and/or holidays.
• The employee must obtain the appropriate Security Cooperation Workforce Certification 2.0 Development Program level per established timelines and maintain certification through continuous training
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Completion of a master's degree in international Affairs/Relations, Political Affairs, Political Science, or Strategic or related studies is highly desirable.
• Completion of In-Resident Senior Service School program, (i.e. Air War College, National War College; School of Advance Air and Space Studies, School of Advanced Military Studies or School or Advance Warfare School, etc.) is highly desirable

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 Professional and Scientific Positions.

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 that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include knowledge of international relations principles, methods, practices, processes, and techniques, US foreign and security policy, along with acquisition programs, research and development, and sustainment programs, expeditionary Air Force and the organization, training, and employment of the various air expeditionary forces, and qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques to develop performance measures.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-13 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

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 the organizational and functional responsibilities and operations of an organization.

Knowledge of advanced concepts and practices of international relations, specifically as they apply to Security Assistance, FMS, and international armaments cooperation.

Knowledge of the security cooperation enterprise, including the roles and responsibilities of SAF/IA, DSCA, and the processes for developing and implementing FMS cases and other security cooperation programs.

Ability to analyze complex information to produce actionable recommendations that advance the Directorate/ Division's strategic objectives.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with high-level officials to represent and advance the Division's interests.

Knowledge of the mission, roles, and organizational structures of the Directorate and assigned Division and its relationship to AFMC, AFLCMC, SAF/IA and DSCA and the broader national security enterprise.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

PCS restrictions: An employee selected to make a PCS to a Career Broadening assignment is restricted from making a second PCS for 12 months.

Defense National Relocation Program may or may not be authorized.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

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