Ministry of Defense Advisor

Duties

This position is located in the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Defense Security Cooperation Service (DSCS).
As a Ministry of Defense Advisor at the GS-0301-15 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Ability to select and apply appropriate evaluation and measurement techniques to determine partner nation's progress, measure Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) accomplishments, and align outcomes with Combatant Command (CCMD) theater campaign goals and DoW policy direction.
• Mastery Knowledge of interpersonal relations, diplomatic tact, and political-military acumen required to establish credibility and exert peer-to-peer influence within complex, multi-national environments.
• Possess expert knowledge of ICB core processes (strategy and policy, force management, human resources management, acquisition and logistics, resource management, and defense governance) and the focus areas supporting security cooperation.
• The ability to work independently, with a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness, to develop solutions to complex and sensitive problems that are not subject to treatment by commonly used methods.
• The incumbent is recognized as an expert in developing and interpreting guidance on Security program planning and evaluation.
• The incumbent must be highly original and use sound judgment to formulate, evaluate, and ensure implementation of programs and policies pertaining to Ministry of Defense Advisor (MoDA)/ICB issues.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation. Incumbent must obtain and maintain a Special Sensitive/ Top Secret w/ SCI
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Work Schedule: Full time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: 36 Months
• Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is situationally telework eligible
• Subject to the 5 year foreign area limitation DODI 1400.25-V1230 72612
• This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the civilian Drug-Testing Program.
• Employee must successfully complete Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) Training in accordance with Department of State, 13 FAM 301.4-2.
• Employee is required to obtain an Official passport and Visa as specified in the Department of Defense Foreign Clearance Guide for Qatar.
• Employee will be subject to pre-employment medical requirements and must meet Foreign Service Medical Clearance requirements
• The incumbent may be required to work other than norm al hours, which may include evening, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime
• Incumbent may be required to use government provided housing and lodging while overseas
• Must attain DoD SCW Certification IAW with the NDAA 2017, Title 10 USC, Section 384 and Security Cooperation Certification Program 2.0. requirements.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-15, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service:

• Serves as the principal subject matter expert to the Minister/Chief of Defense (MoD/CHOD) and the Commander, Military and Security Authority (MISA) or equivalent on all aspects of national-level Security operations;
• Advise the Minister/Chief of Defense and MISA Commander or equivalent on national security strategy, threat landscape, and security level postures;
• Collaborates enterprise-wide security program change management efforts across the national security enterprise to achieve mission assurance;
• Facilitates planning and readiness for the partners security enterprise, crisis response efforts, incident management, and joint exercises;
• Coordinates with U.S. federal agencies, DoW to include the military departments, and other U.S. private organizations to implement the partners Military Security Officer training program;
• Analyzes and evaluates issues regarding development in terms of impact to broader U.S. SC and security assistance goals and objectives. Provides ICB input into long-term DoW ICB planning;
• Prepares written assessments and reports, coordinating ICB visits and representing DoW as a primary Security point of contact for ICB efforts with MoD counterparts.

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS :

For more information on overseas allowances and benefits, please visit:

- Overseas tour of duty for is projected to be 36 months.

- You may be required sign a Transportation Agreement.

- Incumbent may be subject to the 5-year foreign area limitation according to the DoDI 1400.25-V1230, dated 26 July2012.

- Applicants who are currently stationed overseas, must have enough time to meet the initial tour stated above.

- Applicants, who have returned from an overseas tour, and have not been physically present in the United States (CONUS) or Non foreign area for 2 continuous years, may require a waiver. NOTE: If you have not completed 5 years overseas and return to a CONUS assignment, that time spent overseas counts towards the 5 year limitation, unless you have been in the States for at least 2 continuous years.

- Medical Care: Applicants who have family members with special medical needs should ensure that prior to accepting a position overseas their family members' medical needs can be met. Access to care in a military treatment facility may not be available to civilian employees except on a space available basis. Consequently, host nation medical facilities may be the only care available. The availability and level of care at host nation medical facilities will vary by location.

- Applicants hired from the Continental United States (CONUS) and their family members (who are US citizens) are required to obtain Official Passports prior to departure to the overseas area.

- Citizenship/Ordinarily Resident Status: Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are not considered Ordinarily Resident under the applicable Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). An ordinarily resident is anyone who has lived in the host country longer than the allowed number of days without being a member of the forces assigned, civilian component or a family member of either the aforementioned or who has obtained a work permit for any duration. Ordinarily Resident restrictions apply and vary depending on the host nation.

- May be subjected to a variety of environmental conditions typical of the overseas areas in which traveling, to include the potential for exposure to acts of terrorism.

- Payment for travel and transportation expenses may be authorized. This includes government paid travel transportation, shipment and temporary storage of household goods, and possibly other entitlements based upon the JTR and agency policy. You may be required to sign a transportation agreement. Most civilian permanent change of station travel entitlements are taxable.

- For additional information on the tax impact, please visit:

- For more information on overseas allowances and benefits, please visit:

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

CertificationsIncumbent must attain DoD Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) Certification and complete related continuous learning requirements in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2017, Title 10 United States Code, Section 384 and Security Cooperation Certification Program 2.0 requirements. Requirements for Proficiency Level 3 -At least 1 year of successful SC work experience with a performance appraisal rating of 3 or better. Incumbent must complete DoD SCW Expert level certification requirements within two years of entering the SC position. In addition, 80 hours of continuing education (CUE) every two years.

Selectee or incumbent must be able to obtain the appropriate certification level for their position. This is a DoD Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) Level 3 Certified position. IAW the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2017, Title 10 United States Code, Section 384 and Security Cooperation Certification Program 2.0 requirements. Candidates must meet the medical and suitability standards both prior to and during employment in this position.

Additional information

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs ( ) : This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:

: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the , save the document and attach it to your application package.

(RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist ( ); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.
You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.