Summary
This position is part of the US Trade and Development Agency. The incumbent will be responsible for providing legal support to regional programs on all matters arising in connection with, for example, project preparation activities, negotiation and administration of USTDA cost share and success fee arrangements, Congressional inquiries, partnership with other U.S. government agencies, as well as other bilateral and multilateral development finance institutions.
Duties
Advise program staff on project structure, issues arising during project implementation, and project close-out;
Participate in the preparation, review, and negotiation of grant agreements;
Review contracts between project sponsors, grant recipients, and U.S. companies for the performance of USTDA-funded activities;
Analyze and resolve issues arising under the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, annual appropriations acts, and other laws relevant to U.S. trade and foreign assistance programs, including advising on consequences of commencement and termination of assistance to individual countries in the region;
Negotiate inter-agency agreements with representatives of other U.S. government agencies;
Advise on the legal and policy implications of operational decisions related to furnishing grants in individual countries in the region;
Review due diligence findings and advise on suitability of potential project sponsors, grant recipients, and U.S. companies for the performance of USTDA-funded activities;
Perform legal research and render legal interpretations in connection with special projects as assigned by the General Counsel, including developing policies and guidelines for the Agency; and
Participate in agency and inter-agency working groups and represent the agency in dealings with a variety of USTDA stakeholders.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- US Citizenship is required.
- Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation.
- Direct Deposit of pay is required.
- Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
- Background and security investigation for Top Secret Clearance.
Qualifications
The following qualifications are required at all grade levels:
At the GS-13 level, you must meet the following qualification:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes but is not limited to:
A minimum of three years post J.D./LL.B. legal experience in one or more of the following areas: corporate or commercial law; international transactions; project finance; and government contracts or grants;
Skill in research and analysis of complex legal issues;
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience drafting agreements for transactions, memoranda of law, regulatory documents, or corporate legal documents;
Possession and application of strong negotiating, analytical, and interpersonal skills;
Experience addressing legal and factual issues for which there are limited precedents and that require balancing of conflicting or competing interests;
Experience performing routine legal assignments independently; and
Experience independently managing caseloads and completing activities within established schedules.
At the GS-14 level, you must meet the following qualification:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes:
A minimum of four years post J.D./LL.B. legal experience in one or more of the following areas: corporate or commercial law; international transactions; project finance; and government contracts or grants;
Skill in research and analysis of complex legal issues;
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience drafting agreements for transactions, memoranda of law, regulatory documents, or corporate legal documents;
Possession and application of strong negotiating, analytical, and interpersonal skills;
Experience addressing legal and factual issues for which there are limited precedents and that require balancing of conflicting or competing interests;
Experience performing routine legal assignments independently; and
Experience independently managing caseloads and completing activities within established schedules.
You must be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state, a territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
You must be a U.S. citizen in order to qualify for this position.
**Note: If currently employed as an attorney in the federal government, you must have completed one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade level as the position to be filled.
Foreign Legal Education: Education completed in a foreign college or university may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof that the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to those gained in an ABA Accredited U.S. legal education program. U.S. citizenship is required for this position.
Applicants must carefully review the information in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for important information and instructions pertaining to the multi-hurdle assessment process for this position.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
If qualifying based on EDUCATION you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
Only education from institutions which are accredited or preaccredited/candidate for accreditation may be used to meet education requirements.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Veterans Preference:
TDA is not required to apply Veterans Preference in filling this Excepted Service position. However, the agency will follow the principles of Veterans Preference to the extent administratively feasible. Applicants eligible for Veterans Preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume, and attach supporting documentation to their submissions (e.g., DD-214 Form, SF-15, or other substantiating documents).
Once this announcement closes, applications will be reviewed to ensure all required documentation has been received. Applicants who "self-certify" that they meet the minimum qualification standards, selective placement factors (if applicable) and other eligibility requirements as well as providing the required documents by the closing date of the announcement will be referred to the selecting official who may conduct their own assessment for further consideration and interviews. NOTE: Veterans' Preference does not apply to this position. The selectee's eligibility will be verified prior to extending a tentative job offer. After making a tentative job offer, all preemployment and suitability requirements will be conducted prior to a final job offer.
Required Documents
All applicants are required to submit the following:
- Resume, which include work experience, training, education, and any awards relevant to the qualifications and requirements of the position.
- Cover letter (desired, but not required).
- Law School transcript(s), if qualifying based on education or if this position has a basic education requirement.
- Certification of Bar membership: proof that you are a member in good standing of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted prior to the closing date of the announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
- You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
- You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
- To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- You may preview the Assessment Questionnaire at: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12463623
If you have questions about this job, please contact the HR Office representative listed in the "Agency Contact Info" section of this vacancy announcement. Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Mountain Time, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, you may request an alternate application method from the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon EST on the closing date of the announcement.
Next steps
For status updates on your application, please follow the directions listed above in the How to Apply section. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. If you are selected for an interview for this position, you will be contacted directly. A final job offer for this position is typically made within several weeks after the closing date of the vacancy announcement. After confirming a job offer, all other applicants will be notified of their non-selection.
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