Graduate International Relations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is part of the US Trade and Development Agency. The incumbent assists the Regional Director in promoting economic development in the assigned region by identifying, recommending, and managing project preparation and partnership building activities.
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Duties
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Evaluate the potential of infrastructure development projects in emerging markets to facilitate U.S. exports and job creation.
Make preliminary determinations of the project's ability to meet USTDA funding criteria, including ability to obtain implementation financing and support U.S. exports and jobs.
Support USG foreign policy priorities by promoting host country economic growth.
Represent the Agency in a variety of forums to provide information about, explain, advocate, and defend USTDA program activities.
Develop and maintain business relationships with embassy officials, government officials, and private sector representatives in the U.S. and assigned countries.
Perform due diligence on prospective USTDA contractors and grantees.
Track ongoing and completed projects to assess commercial and developmental impact in order to assist the Evaluations Office with monitoring project developments.
Draft briefing materials, memoranda, talking points, speeches, and other written materials that support USTDA's leadership, the regional teams, and other stakeholders relevant to USTDA's project activities.
Provide formal and informal oral presentations to business groups, USTDA leadership, foreign audiences, and other stakeholders relevant to USTDA's project activities.
Requirements
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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.
• Status candidates must meet time-in-grade (see Qualifications).
• Background and security investigation for Secret or Top Secret Clearance.

Qualifications
Applicants must meet the BASIC QUALIFICATION requirement for this position described below.
Undergraduate and/or Graduate Education: Major study marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations.
OR
Experience: Experience that demonstrates knowledge of:

• Marketing that included economic, psychological, and sociological influences bearing upon consumption patterns;
• Business practices pertaining to wholesale, retail, manufacturers' distribution, distribution costs, finance and tax structure, and similar areas of activity or concern; and
• International economic and political factors influencing balance of payments, monetary exchange and tariffs, and their bearing on the distribution of commodities.

In addition to meeting the basic qualification, at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following qualifications:
One year of specialized experience that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is in or directly related to the line of work of this position and has equipped you with the knowledge and competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience for this position in at least two of the following areas:
Supporting research for international infrastructure projects and/or foreign assistance programs using economic indicators and market trends in key sectors, such as energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals;
Assisting with project development activities by supporting the preparation or administration of grant agreements, scopes of work for contracts, technical assistance, feasibility studies, or other contract or grant activities;
Developing and maintaining project tracking systems to monitor project performance, identify trends, and support recommendations for improving operational efficiency.
OR
A master's degree or equivalent degree or two full years of progressively higher- level education leading to such a degree, or an LL. B or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
OR
A combination of experience and education as described above, where the total percentage is equal to 100%.
In addition to meeting the basic qualification, at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following qualifications:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level. Specialized experience in at least three of the areas:
Supporting or conducting research for international infrastructure projects and/or foreign assistance programs using economic indicators and market trends in key sectors, such as energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals;
Supporting project development activities through research and technical services, including the preparation or management of grant agreements, scopes of work for contracts, technical assistance, feasibility studies, or other contract or grant activities;
Providing expertise in foreign assistance, trade policy, commercial development, finance, or banking that contribute to the development of infrastructure initiatives or other similar initiatives requiring capital investment;
Development and maintenance of business relationships with U.S. and foreign private sector representatives and government officials in the development of infrastructure projects;
Professional-level industry-specific research and analysis related to infrastructure development and other large-scale development projects.
OR
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M., if related;
OR
A Combination of education and experience as listed above.
In addition to meeting the basic qualification, at the GS-12 level, you must meet the following qualifications:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 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 in at least four of the following areas:
Conducting research for international infrastructure projects and/or foreign assistance programs using economic indicators and market trends in key sectors, such as energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals;
Supporting project development activities through research and technical services, including the preparation or management of grant agreements, scopes of work for contracts, technical assistance, feasibility studies, or other contract or grant activities;
Providing services and research related to project development in key sectors, such as energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals; providing research on international trade, technical and economic trends;
Experience providing foreign assistance, trade policy, commercial development, finance, or banking that contribute to the development of infrastructure initiatives or other similar initiatives requiring capital investment;
Development and maintenance of business relationships with U.S. and foreign private sector representatives and government officials in the development of infrastructure projects;
Performing professional-level industry-specific research and analysis related to infrastructure development and other large-scale development projects.
In addition to meeting the basic qualifications, at the GS-13 level, you must meet the following qualifications:
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 in at least four of the following areas:
Conducting research for international infrastructure projects and/or foreign assistance programs using economic indicators and market trends in key sectors, such as energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals;
Supporting project development activities through research and technical services, including the preparation or management of grant agreements, scopes of work for contracts, technical assistance, feasibility studies, or other contract or grant activities;
Providing technical services and research related to project development in key sectors, such as energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals; conducting research on international trade, technical and economic trends; providing expertise in foreign assistance, trade policy, commercial development, finance, or banking that contribute to the development of large-scale infrastructure initiatives or comparable projects requiring capital investments of at least $10 million;
Developing and maintaining business relationships with U.S. and foreign private sector representatives and government officials to advance infrastructure projects;
Performing professional-level industry-specific research and analysis related to infrastructure development and other large-scale development projects.
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.
Education
TIME-IN-GRADE: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).
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.
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. Note: PDF Portfolio documents will not be processed or accepted as they appear as a one-page document
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Programs: CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit here.
Appointment Authorities: For more information on appointment authority eligibility requirements:
Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
Other Special Appointment Authorities
OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities
Telework Suitability:
This position allows for situational telework according to established agency policy.
Stipulations of Employment:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• The needs and interests of the agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment may be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
This position is subject to random drug testing while you occupy the position.
Applicants must be eligible to