Clarification from the agency

Current Department of War employees and military spouses with hiring eligibility under the provisions of 5 CFR 315.612

The William J Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (WJPC) is the Department of War's premier regional forum offering strategic level defense and security education, research assistance and dialog regarding the development of effective security policy within the Western Hemisphere. The Center's civilian and military graduates and partner institutions comprise communities of influence that work toward a more cooperative and stable international security environment.

The Perry Center's mission is to support the community of security and defense professionals in the Americas to pursue collaborative approaches to mutual opportunities and challenges. Through academics, research, and outreach, including ministerial-level consulting, we advance sustainable institutional capacity, strengthen the rule of law and democracy, and promote greater understanding of U.S. policy throughout the Western Hemisphere.

MAJOR DUTIES:
The incumbent operates under the general direction and administrative guidance of the Dean of Academic Affairs, who assigns program responsibilities, provides administrative direction, defines success criteria, and directs research priorities. The role involves significant independence in supporting the WJPC mission.

• All research associates are required to conduct directed and independent research and produce scholarly studies and strategic analyses involving security and defense topics in the Western Hemisphere. Research associates are expected to support faculty in the production of high-quality analysis for U.S. government and partner government audiences. The articles can be scholarly or policy-oriented. Research associates follow rigorous scholarly protocols based on sound research methodology, data collection, and evaluation to shape U.S. strategy and inform U.S. policy. This effort includes promoting research products through short articles and opinion pieces/blog posts.
  • Research associates keep abreast of strategic studies, U.S. policy, and research activities in their area of expertise across the DoD, the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Services, other government agencies, industry, and academia.
  • As required, the Research associates travel to the region and domestically to attend meetings, conferences, and symposia to engage with DoD staff and agencies, Combatant Commands, government agencies, academic institutions, and businesses.
  • Research associates ensure all actions contribute professionally and positively to timely attainment of assigned group or team objectives.
• Research associates may be required to interact with and present study and research results to senior DoD officials, other government agencies, foreign partners, civilian institutions and businesses. Research associates deliver oral briefings, organize and participate in briefings, roundtables, workshops, or conferences (or their equivalent), and prepare and disseminate event and trip reports and other analytical products throughout DoD and other relevant government agencies.
• Research associates are expected to comply with all administrative requirements in an effective and timely manner. This standard includes completing conference, travel, and country clearance requests, travel vouchers, trip reports, training requirements, and other administrative forms and tasks as required. They are also expected to work closely with Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation (AM&E), Outreach & Alumni Affairs, and Operations Staff to develop routine Center reporting to Office of the Secretary of War (OSW).
• Research associates will be assigned a portfolio of academic related programs to manage. These programs are cross-cutting and affect WJPC academic activities (e.g. courses, seminars).
  • Independently plans, designs, and executes projects, studies, and activities within the assigned program job scope.
  • Organizes and oversees programs to align with the mission and goals of WJPC. Develops new programs as required to support the Center's strategic direction.
  • Provides advice and consultation to professors, the Dean, Associate Directors, and the Chief of Staff to identify and resolve issues related to their assigned portfolio. Makes or recommends decisions on policies, operations, and administrative procedures.
  • Drafts, implements, and maintains procedures and controls to ensure smooth and effective program operations. Coordinates activities to prevent delays and enhance services.
  • Identifies program resource needs and communicates them to management.
  • Prepares and analyzes program reports, directs the gathering of information, and evaluates processes.
• Assists in developing and managing platforms and products, including databases, websites, and other knowledge-sharing repositories.
• Coordinates with visiting professors and guest speakers, assisting with their administrative needs for WJPC activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/)
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• The position is governed by 10 USC 1595 and NDUI 1416.0l dated March 2017.
• Must be able and willing to travel both domestically and internationally. Travel is seldom required. Less than 20 % of the time.
• The incumbent must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 3 years with the possibility for extension.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Earned master's degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline such as international security (defense/war) studies, international relations/affairs, public policy, and/or public management.
• Minimum of one year of relevant professional experience.
• Excellent written and communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Demonstrated high-quality analytic research skills:
  • Proven capacity to propose and conduct empirical research leading to practical policy advice and implementable programmatic recommendations.
  • Ability to conduct cross/multi-disciplinary analysis and synthesis.
  • Proven capacity to write under strict professional standards. o Ability to effectively organize and communicate findings to a policy or practitioner-oriented audience.
  • Rapid knowledge acquisition and learning from various methodologies, models, frameworks, or areas of inquiry.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively, placing team mission and professional integrity before personal agenda.
  • Ability to perform in a matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders and priorities.
  • Detail-oriented organizational skills.
  • Self-management and performance in a changing, fast-paced work environment.
  • Professionalism and proficiency in international environments and among senior officials.

Volunteer Experience: 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the assessment questions to evaluate your qualifications for the position. NDU uses a multi-tier selection process for academic positions.

The following questions will be reviewed by the NDU screening panel https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12894138.

The Assessment Questionnaire collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies:

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two page resume requirement may be found at: Learn more about the new resume requirements.
2. Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement.
3. Other Supporting Documents - Refer to the eligibilities section for documents to submit.

NOTE: Transcripts are not required at time of application submission. Your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria will be reviewed by the NDU screening panel to evaluate your qualifications for the position. If selected for an interview, official transcripts will be requested at that time to verify educational requirements are met.

Eligibilities Information: The following supporting documents are REQUIRED to verify your individual eligibility status. Not all will apply for each applicant. They MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement.

1. SF-50: Current and former federal employees, including those currently working for the agency, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type. Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification.
2. If you claim Veteran's Preference:- You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service and what they condition of discharge is thought to be.- If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability- If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.
3. Other documents identified in the announcement.

WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by the closing date of the announcement at 11:59 EST, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered or uploaded is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

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