Foreign Service Limited Position Opportunity Program Officer (Vetting Official), FL-0343-03

• Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development
• Organization: Bureau for Asia
• Location of Position: Washington, DC
• Open Period: 05/21/2024 – 06/11/2024 (3 weeks)
• Appointment Type: This is an excepted service, time-limited appointment, not to exceed 5 years; may be considered for 2 two-year extensions depending on the needs of the Service
• Salary: (USD)$107,657 – $158,097 / per year
• Position is telework eligible
• Number of Vacancies: 1

Description of Organization: The Asia Bureau provides overall leadership for Agency programs across the Asia and Pacific region. The vast and diverse region covers East, Southeast, South, Central Asia and the Pacific. USAID programs focus on building democratic institutions and processes, increasing access to quality education and workforce training, increasing trade, investment and productivity, improving the management and sustainable use of natural resources, and improving health, population, and nutrition. The Asia Bureau is responsible for overall strategic planning in the region and program coordination with other U.S. Government agencies, regional multilateral development banks, and private organizations and supports the work of 20 USAID field Missions.

Duties and Responsibilities: The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Vetting Official (VO), responsible for the oversight of the vetting process for the assigned vetting program(s); while also serving as a back-up for other Vetting Officials and the Bureau’s Vetting Advisor.

Following the USG Executive Orders pertaining to terrorism, hundreds of individuals and entities have been designated as terrorist entities. U.S. law requires USAID to take all reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure USG funds are not inadvertently diverted to benefit inappropriate, or “prohibited parties.” USAID/Afghanistan and USAID/Pakistan programs carry an elevated risk for USG funds inadvertently benefitting prohibited parties due to the ongoing presence of terrorist organizations, drug traffickers, and their affiliates around the world. USAID guards against this elevated risk by further scrutinizing prospective award recipients during the pre-award process.

As the Vetting Official, you will:

• Provide oversight responsibilities for the vetting database, process, and data quality, from the receipt of the vetting request by the Asia vetting unit, through the receipt of vetting results.
• Creates and presents reports on vetting issues, as requested by management. Verifies vetting results with the security analysts to determine final vetting status. Following a final determination reports any findings and ensures that updates of the vetting determinations are recorded in the system.
• Reviews vetting details in conjunction with the Vetting Centers to determine the results for an awardee for which an issue was reported.
• Help generates reports for Bureau and Mission Management to analyze results, award details and other statistical information in relation to vetting.
• Prepares status reports including analysis of problems and recommendations for corrective actions, improvements for the Asia Bureau vetting unit and the vetting process and to address audit calls.
• Prepares background documents and briefs Bureau and Mission leadership on vetting processes.
• Manages the vetting process from the receipt of the vetting request through the communications of vetting requests to requestors.
• The incumbent, through the supervision of the Vetting Advisor, is considered the primary individual responsible to report any issues with the Partner Vetting Systems to CIO.
• Collaborate closely with partner organizations to ensure the completeness of data collected and share information about vetting procedures in coordination with the Bureau’s Vetting Advisor;
• Ensure that Contracting/Agreement Officers, (CO/AO), Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and Implementing Partners are properly notified upon receipt of vetting results from Washington vetting centers;
• If needed, serve as the team lead for his/her assigned vetting program(s), overseeing the work of one or more Vetting Assistants (VA); and
• Provide periodic vetting policy and procedures training to Implementing Partners.

Qualifications:

To qualify for the position of Program Officer (Vetting Official) FL-0343-03, you must possess the required specialized experience specific to the series and grade you are applying to. Specialized experience: For the FL-03, you must possess one year of specialized experience at the FL-04 (GS-12) grade level or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Working on issues related to counterterrorism, security or investigations; AND
• Compliance and risk management.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. Knowledge, skills and abilities of the preferred candidate include:
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field with six (6) years of work experience, with four (4) years of overseas experience.
• Must be a self-starter with a strong collaborative work ethic and ability to work independently.
• Exceptional writing skills and the ability to communicate complex programming concepts into clear, concise written documents and oral presentations required.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and as a member of a team.
• Ability to plan, organize, and use time effectively.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work within tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to be diplomatic, tactful, and discreet in dealing with internal and external stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Knowledge of the organization and operation of large-sized entities working in international development or foreign affairs.

Interested candidates should submit:

• Cover Letter: A short written statement of interest or cover letter (no longer than one page);
• Resume/CV: (candidates must include month, year and the number of hours worked per week for each position listed); AND
• References: At least three professional references.
• Veteran’s Preference: Applicants claiming Veterans Preference must submit all appropriate documentation (DD-214, Service Disability Letter, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, etc.).
• Political Appointees: Applicants serving as a current/former Political Appointee must submit all appropriate documentation (SF-50s, appointment letter, etc.)

Interested candidates should submit their complete application package to [email protected] using the subject line “FSL-03 Vetting Official: Last name_First name.”

Application submissions are required by June 11, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Incomplete packages or complete packages submitted past the deadline or without the specified subject line will not receive consideration.

This notice may be used to fill additional vacancies, as the workforce needs of the Bureau may change.

USAID DEI Commitment

USAID envisions a world where all individuals are valued, have equitable access to opportunities, and are included, respected, and safe in their societies. USAID embraces diversity as outlined in USAID’s EEO Statement. We seek to elevate and include the voices of the USAID workforce, recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of all stakeholders. USAID also strives to improve equity for underrepresented communities that have historically been denied fair and just treatment and improve accessibility in all facets at USAID.

Information on USAID positions is at https://www.usaid.gov/careers.

• EEO Policy Statement (https://help.usajobs.gov/equal-employment-opportunity)
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy (https://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation)
• Healthcare & Insurance – OPM.gov (https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/)

Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to: — Chris Maness, ASIA/SPO, [email protected]