The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is the principal staff element of the Secretary of Defense in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, and program evaluation responsibilities. OSD includes the Offices of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretaries of Defense, Deputy Chief Management Officer, Assistant Secretaries of Defense, General Counsel, and the Performance Information Officer and Director of Administration and Management.

Duties

The incumbent must exercise professional and technical judgment to resolve problems of exceptional complexity and which require innovative thinking, novel solutions and outstanding resourcefulness of ingenuity. The incumbent must represent the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)) and/or Deputy USD(P) in sensitive presentations and negotiations, where tact, good judgment and professional expertise are required. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Makes recommendations on highly complex and abstract issues of DoD strategy and policy, taking into account their impact on the foreign affairs and political environment, and on related matters, including particularly those of immediate concern to the USD(P), and the Secretary of Defense. Uses independent judgment and experience to prepare seniors officials for testimony before the Congress, and drafts testimony or other presentations to the Congress for use by the USD(P). Monitors congressional action on the DoD budget and formulates official responses to periodic Congressional inquiries and/or legislated reporting requirements. Coordinates and oversee the public and press contacts of the USD(P) and component staff, developing strategies and materials for public and press presentations, and participates in or conducts long-range studies of special interest to the USD(P). Drafts issue and background papers on highly complex and important defense issues and makes oral and written presentations to the USD(P), other senior defense officials and counterparts from other USG agencies recommending a particular resolution of these matters. Maintains professional expertise by remaining knowledgeable of current developments in the broad area of foreign affairs and foreign policy, using judgment to identify items which require action by the USD(P), advising the USD(P) of the emergence of matters requiring attention by him/her or the Secretary of Defense, and defining and initiating follow-up actions where necessary.

Requirements

Qualifications

***THIS POSITION IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW BOARD PILOT PROGRAM ***Please read this announcement in its entirety before applying. ***Current SES retain their status in the SES if appointed. Under the DoD Pilot Program, there is no requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). However, to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications within your resume -- not to exceed five pages. Your application must also include a narrative statement specifically addressing the mandatory technical qualifications not to exceed a total of two pages. http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/guidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf Each accomplishment should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities; the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services you managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed; and the results of your actions. You should use action oriented leadership words to describe your experience and accomplishments (e.g., Led the development and implementation of....) and quantify your experience wherever possible to demonstrate your accomplishments (e.g., number of employees supervised; size of budget managed; amount of money saved, etc.). ECQ 1 - Leading Change: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. ECQ 2 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. ECQ 3 - Results Driven: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that address the technical qualifications. You are required to respond to all of the technical qualifications. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as ineligible. Please limit your written statement addressing the mandatory technical qualifications to no more than a total of two pages. Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and support to senior officials (such as internal decision-making, interagency deliberations, dealings with international counterparts, and/or testifying before Congress) in the areas of current defense policy development, planning, force posture, resourcing, foreign affairs, and/or national security. Demonstrated ability to lead/manage teams. Provide two examples of leading a team through all stages of an issue from policy creation through implementation, including an evaluation of the impact. Demonstrated ability to represent the U.S. Government in public settings, and to lead/manage negotiations with counterparts within the same agency, the interagency, Congress, and/or the international arena. DoD Joint Enterprise-Wide Experience Statement: In addition, DoD requires an Enterprise Perspective. This individual must have the ability to apply a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoD or government-wide strategic priorities is required. Candidates must demonstrate ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. A separate narrative statement is not required. This information should be embedded within the application package (resume and technical qualifications narrative statement).

Education

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling 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 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods.

   OR

2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

   OR

3. Experience: four 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.

Contacts

• Address Office of the USD for Policy 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350 US
• Name: Senior Executive Services
• Email: [email protected]