Program Management and Operations Officer (Iraq)

Department:Department Of State

Job Announcement Number:ISPO-2012-0024

SALARY RANGE: $105,211.00 to $155,500.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD: Monday, July 30, 2012 to Monday, August 13, 2012
SERIES & GRADE: AD-0301-IV
POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time - Temporary Excepted Appointment NTE 13 months
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:IV
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Open to all U.S. citizens


Job Summary:
The U.S. Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency. The Iraq Strategic Partnership Office (ISPO) was established by Executive Order 13541 to perform the specific project of supporting executive departments and agencies in facilitating the strategic partnership between the U.S. Government and the Republic of Iraq, in further securing and stabilizing the country, and in continuing an effective diplomatic presence in Iraq. ISPO operates under the direction of the Chief of Mission, US Embassy Baghdad.

Under this temporary appointment, compensation includes salary plus danger pay and post differentials paid at the rate of 35% each. Please see benefits section for specific details.

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN IRAQ.

The position is assigned to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, with possible deployments to INL field locations throughout Iraq. INL has the responsibility for managing a police development program with the objectives of improving stability in Iraq through the provision of professional policing services and developing the capacity of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) to manage and sustain internal security operations. In order to achieve these objectives, INL will deploy subject matter experts to provide mentoring and assistance to MOI and police officials in attaining knowledge and skills in modern policing methods consistent with democratic policing standards.

The incumbent serves as INL's Program Management and Operations Officer at the Embassy Baghdad, with responsibility for developing implementing, monitoring, coordinating, and evaluating a variety of program activities that support the operations of U.S. Mission offices and agencies engaged in police development in Iraq. The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Director, INL Baghdad and supervises the work of one Program Assistant.

You are being deployed to a challenging physical environment. You may encounter extremely dusty conditions, significant air pollution and lack of potable water. You must be able to walk distances, run and step up to 2 feet while wearing a helmet and body armor that together weigh a minimum of 30 pounds. Medical Care will be limited. 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.




KEY REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
Must be able to obtain an ethics clearance
U.S. Citizenship required
Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
Medical clearance is required.
Temporarily assigned to Iraq.

DUTIES:
Serves as Management Officer for all PDP projects directly funded by the Department of State. Provides authoritative advice and guidance to senior management officials with regard to the planning, development, implementation, and management of PDP projects.
Ensures the integration of INL police development programs with the related activities of other Mission offices, such as the Regional Security Office and the Consular Section, as well with the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS).
Develops and maintains contacts with GOI officials and representatives of other donor government and international organizations, including the European Union Integrated Rule of law Mission for Iraq (EUJUSTLEX – Iraq) with regard to police development programs.
Coordinates the development and implementation of policies and guidelines governing the administration of INL-supported interagency and intergovernmental police development programs.
Represents INL as a subject matter expert in police program development and operations management at meetings and on working groups.


QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Mastery of business management principles and concepts, especially as applied to international security programs and operations, to provide expert advice and guidance to INL and MOI officials in developing policing services needed to provide effective security throughout Iraq.
Mastery of law enforcement principles, methods, and practices to provide subject matter expertise in the planning, development, implementation, and management of police assistance and development programs that support the USG mission in Iraq.
Expert knowledge of police development principles, methods, and practices to facilitate the provision of advice and guidance to the MOI in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan for police development and assistance in Iraq.
Knowledge of INL programs, policies, plans, and priorities to provide advisory services in the program management and operations area that support the accomplishment of INL mission objectives in Iraq and the region.
Knowledge of the organizational and functional interrelationships within DOS, as well as DOS relationships with other cabinet-level agencies, involved in supporting the law enforcement and security sector in Iraq.
Familiarity with Iraqi and Middle East history, culture, institutions, structures, and legal systems.



Desirable qualifications include:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, in criminal justice, business administration, history, political science, or related subject.
Experience in a supervisory or managerial position within a U.S. law enforcement agency that involved operations management, organizational development, and/or strategic planning.
Experience working in a DOS police development program in the Middle East and experience in police development in an international environment.
Experience in developing and implementing capacity building and training programs, especially international police development programs.
At least ten (10) years experience in U.S. domestic or federal law enforcement, with at least five (5) years experience in a supervisory or administrative position.
Experience in an international police development program with at least one year of experience in an administrative position in the police development program in Iraq.







SECURITY All candidates for employment must obtain a minimum of a Secret security clearance from the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). Even if the candidate has previously held a government security clearance or still holds one, the candidate must complete a Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86), a credit/consumer report release form, and two sets of fingerprint cards for adjudication by the Diplomatic Security Service. Full disclosure and candor is imperative when completing this paperwork. ETHICS Employees must receive an ethics clearance, which may require completing and executing the Executive Branch Public Financial Disclosure Form (SF-278). Ethics clearances are required to help ensure that employees do not violate, or participate in any actions creating the appearance that they are violating the law or standards governing ethical conduct for employees of the Executive Branch. Employees should read the Department of State's "Ethics Guidance for Prospective Employees Who Are Not Special Government Employees." If a SF-278 form is required as part of your application, a Termination Financial Disclosure Report must be completed upon your departure from ITAO. The Federal ethics and conflict of interest laws and regulations are important tools intended to foster public confidence in government.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position. The evaluation will be based on information you provide in your on-line resume, your answers to the job specific self-assessment questions for this announcement, and a review of the documents that are requested as part of this announcement. Qualified candidates are assigned a score between 70 and 100. Errors, exaggerations, or omissions in your responses to the on-line application may impact your score or result in you losing consideration for the job. If you are found to have rated yourself higher in the self-assessment than is supported by the information in your on-line resume, essay responses, and/or supporting documents, a score will manually be determined that reflects your documented experience. This may result in a lowered score, which may also eliminate you from the best-qualified listing. You may receive credit for unpaid or volunteer experience on the same basis as paid experience, provided it is directly related to this job. To receive proper credit, you must show, on your on-line resume, the actual time spent in such activities (hours worked per week). Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
To preview questions please click here.

BENEFITS:Back to top


For additional information on DOS benefits click here.
OTHER INFORMATION:

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. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.

SELECTIVE SERVICE - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of 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 Employee Relations, Disability/Reasonable Accommodations Division, at (202) 261-8180. 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.

HOW TO APPLY:Back to top


Applicants must submit an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to the Department of State's Gateway to State application system when you apply on-line. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following three-step application process: STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button at the bottom of this page and follow the instructions provided. STEP 2: Answer the self-assessment questions. These questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this job. Review your resume to make certain that it supports your responses to the user information questions and the on-line job specific self-assessment questions. STEP 3: Submit all required documentation listed in the "required documents" section of this announcement prior to the closing date. Technical assistance with your on-line application can be obtained by contacting the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.com OR by calling (866) 656-6830 or (703) 269-4944 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. For instructions on how to view the status of your supporting documentation, please click here NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. NOTE: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at least two working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources Office no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern Standard time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

All required documents listed below must be submitted to our automated system "Gateway to State" prior to the closing date of this announcement, which is 11:59 p.m. eastern time.
If claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy # 4). If claiming 10 point preference, you also must submit an SF-15 (Application for 10 point Veteran Preference) and any other documentation required by that form.For further information regarding Veterans click here
If you are still on active duty, you MUST submit a statement of service from your unit, which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.
If you are qualifying based on other criteria listed under the Qualification Section of this announcement, you MUST submit the required supporting documentation (certificates, certifications, panel recommendations, etc.) with your application by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position.



AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
ISPO Recruitment
Phone: 202-776-8838
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: afghanistan_iraqjob@stat
e.gov

Agency Information:
U.S. Department of State
Iraq Strategic Partnership Office
Washington, DC
20520
US
Fax: 000-000-0000



WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After all application packages have been received, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. After we review and evaluate all applications, the most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. After a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability and or security background investigation. You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process: 1. Upon receipt of your application. 2. Upon minimum qualification determinations. 3. After the certificate is issued. 4. After final selection is made. For instructions on how to view the status of your application, please click here .