The first step in the evaluation process requires meeting the Basic Requirements, Specialized Experience, and Selective Placement Factor stated below. Please refer to the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section for further details. Ensure that all relevant experience is clearly stated in your resume and unofficial transcripts are submitted to verify your education level.

Basic Requirements:

To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following 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 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.

Specialized ExperienceGS-09: You need at least one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience refers to full-time work, while part-time roles are considered on a prorated basis. Qualifying specialized experience includes: (a) supporting the research and analysis for an assistance organization’s crisis operations, supporting stability, peace, or humanitarian relief; (b) contributing to the design, implementation, or evaluation of programs or operational functions for crisis operations that support communities affected by conflict or humanitarian disasters; and (c) collaborating with internal or external stakeholders, including international organizations, USG agencies, and non-governmental organizations to enhance crisis operations performance, manage contingency workforces effectively, and quickly adjust programs.

OR

Have 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. This level of education demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

OR

Have a combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above, which is equivalent to the work of the position and to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. It is important to note that this education and experience must fulfill 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

GS-11: You need at least one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience refers to full-time work, while part-time roles are considered on a prorated basis. Qualifying specialized experience includes: (a) conducting research and analysis for crisis operations in conflict environments to inform strategic planning and support stability, peace, or humanitarian relief efforts.; (b) managing crisis operations functions or programs that ensure agile assistance in support of communities affected by conflict or humanitarian disasters; (c) engaging with stakeholders from various organizations to enhance crisis operations performance, manage contingency workforces effectively, and quickly adjust programs to advance goals.

OR

Have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. This level of education demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

OR

Have a combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above, which is equivalent to the work of the position and to the GS-09 level in the Federal service. It is important to note that this education and experience must fulfill 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

GS-12: You need at least one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience refers to full-time work, while part-time roles are considered on a prorated basis. Qualifying specialized experience includes: (a) using knowledge and expertise in international crisis operations and international affairs to conduct research, analysis, and provide guidance for an international assistance organization’s crisis operations that support political transitions, stability, peace, or humanitarian relief in conflict environments to inform strategic planning; (b) developing strategies, budgets, and evaluating and monitoring impact of crisis operations functions or programs that provide agile assistance targeting key transition and stabilization needs in communities affected by conflict or humanitarian crises; (c) engaging with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including international assistance organizations, other USG agencies and non-governmental organizations, to develop innovative approaches and improve crisis operations’ performance that support effective, efficient, and timely management of resources to achieve optimal outcomes in conflict environments.

Please note that qualifying specialized work experience may have been gained through a variety of activities, including residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other foreign work experience. Make sure to document your experience thoroughly in your resume.

Selective Placement Factor:This position has a Selective Placement Factor, which is a skill, knowledge, ability, or other characteristic essential for the job’s satisfactory performance. The Selective Placement Factor represents the minimum requirements for this position and is a prerequisite for appointment. Applicants who do not meet the Selective Placement Factor are ineligible for further consideration.

Selective Placement Factor: Experience contributing to the development of strategies, plans, and policies for crisis operations programs and/or crisis operational functions within a U.S. domestic or international assistance organization where the mission includes the provision of aid for people in need, such as building resilience, saving lives, reducing suffering, supporting democratic governance, or similar objectives. This includes the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders in evolving situations to ensure assistance is implemented effectively.

Experience includes both paid and unpaid activities, such as volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work provides training and experience that can translate directly to paid employment. Qualifying experience, including volunteer experience, that aligns with the duties of this position will be considered.