The position is located in the Office of Afghanistan Affairs in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA/A). The SCA Bureau is responsible for development of U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations with the countries regarding the South and Central Asia region, including strategic planning and resource management, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, political- military affairs, human rights and political and economic issues.

Duties

Serves as the subject matter expert on the Taliban whose primary focus will be the Department's engagement with the Taliban and efforts to reshape the U.S.-bilateral relationship with Afghanistan. Keeps abreast of information on third country engagement with the Taliban including diplomatic, financial, and military issues; coordinates U.S. counter terrorism monitoring, and tracks the security situation in Afghanistan. Works closely with counterparts in the intelligence community to offer insight into Afghanistan security and governance issues and developments. Ensures effective communication of U.S. policy developments and guidance for use by embassies/posts, providing follow up problem solving assistance, guideline interpretations, and consultations. Represents the Department in interagency policy meetings, advises on a broad variety of issues including those related to achieving political settlement in Afghanistan, political trends and implementation, strategies, and approaches.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.  Applicants must have the required experience or education as described below and meet any selective factors, when specified. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Have a bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in international law, international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; OR Have a bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited college or university that included a combination of courses, with at least 24 semester hours in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; OR Have 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics / quantitative methods. OR Have a combination of education and experience where your coursework was equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, (as shown above), PLUS appropriate relevant experience OR additional education. OR Have completed at least 4 years of appropriate experience in one OR more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. (NOTE: qualifying work experience may have been gained through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries.) Note: If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement 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. IN ADDITION to the basic requirements, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience advising on Afghanistan related foreign policy and programs involving counterterrorism efforts and/or peacebuilding efforts in the region. Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with international organizations.  Experience producing technical/policy analyses of complex foreign policy issues. Note: If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement 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.

Education

See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

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. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php.

Contacts

• Address U.S. Department of State 1999 Dyess Ave. Charleston, South Carolina 29405 United States
• Name: Elizabeth Rice
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]