Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking (OCFT), Technical Assistance and Cooperation Unit, Africa Division. ILAB leads DOL's efforts to ensure that workers around the world are treated fairly and are able to share in the benefits of the global economy.

- This position inside the bargaining unit.

- Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

ILAB's mission is to improve global working conditions, raise living standards, protect workers' ability to exercise their rights, and address the workplace exploitation of children and other vulnerable populations.

Major duties for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• Executes job duties in support of senior team members and the Office mission while providing research and analyses of child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking issues for assigned countries for the purpose of contributing to Congressionally-mandated and Executive Order reports, engaging with foreign governments or other U.S. government officials, designing technical assistance programs, or related to other strategic interests of ILAB, or as part of analysis of trends and lessons learned that inform program evaluation, project survey, and project design activities.
• Drafts and provides written feedback on documents, as assigned, and regularly prepares written communication for and on behalf of senior ILAB and DOL staff on international child and forced labor issues.
• Demonstrates an intermediate ability to critically analyze Office issues and initiatives through study and monitoring of relevant legislation; pertinent ILO and other international organizations' standards and decisions; overseas developments, reports, and cables; books and articles; research and evaluation documents and papers; and discussions with foreign and U.S. officials, academic experts, trade union leaders, non-governmental representatives, and business representatives.
• Applies a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to assess and improve program effectiveness.
• Participates in the formulation of policy or program recommendations that advance OCFT and ILAB mission, programming, and other priorities in target countries and on a global level. Engages with a range of actors and entities (i.e. ILAB and DOL officials; U.S. or foreign government agencies; international organizations, civil society groups, and/or business representatives) to develop and/or strengthen OCFT and ILAB strategic relationships and information exchanges.
• Monitors labor developments in countries of importance to the U.S. and advises the Director, Deputy Director, Deputy Undersecretary, other DOL professional staff, ambassadors, labor attaches or others with related responsibility, either orally or in writing, on policy, key developments, and results regarding Office issues and programs.
• Coordinates policy positions and work products within OCFT and across ILAB offices, other DOL agencies, and outside stakeholders with the aim of advancing OCFT and ILAB mission regarding research, technical assistance and policy engagement.
• Plans, develops, oversees, implements and provides technical support for monitoring and evaluation and audit activities, and closes out technical assistance/cooperation initiatives; coordinates ILAB's contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements for technical assistance projects; and uses qualitative and/or quantitative methods to measure results and assess and improve program effectiveness and/or projects or systems.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Travel is up to 7% per year.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, meet all the performance requirements, and supervisor's recommendation to the next grade.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.

Selective Placement Factor- Ability to read French including standard newspaper items addressed to the general reader, routine correspondence, reports, and technical materials related to the duties of the position.

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Basic Requirements:

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

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in one or more of the social sciences, or in the humanities, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

OR

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.

In addition to the basic requirements of this position, applicants must also possess 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.

For the GS-09:

To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing work related to International Relations, with knowledge of, and skill in applying, fundamental methods, principles, and practices relevant to work in the area of International Relations, and standardized knowledge of analytical, and evaluative methods and techniques sufficient to research and write on topics relevant to international development of international labor issues in an academic or work setting.

OR

2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree(related to the position to be filled.)

OR

Combination of education and experience.

For the GS-11:

To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing work related to International Relations, applying a range of analytical and evaluative techniques and methods with knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and of economic, social, cultural, and political factors in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, relevant to efforts to assist in raising working conditions and improving the quality of life for its citizens; or experience assisting in the development or oversight of technical assistance projects on issues related to vulnerable populations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Examples of specialized experience are as follows: 1) Participating in drafting and/or providing written feedback on documents on issues relevant to issues of international child labor, forced labor, and/or human trafficking; 2) Developing and/or overseeing technical assistance projects to address issues related to reducing child labor, forced labor, and/or human trafficking; or 3) Supporting efforts related to the formulation of U.S. foreign policy on international labor issues.

OR

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (related to the position to be filled.)

OR

Combination of education and experience.

For the GS-12

To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing International Relations Specialist work, applying a full range of analytical and evaluative techniques and methods with extensive knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and of economic, social, cultural, and political factors in one or more countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, relevant to efforts to develop and implement policies in support of raising the working conditions and improving the quality of life for its citizens. Experience with conducting research, studies, or contributing to program or foreign policy initiatives on issues relevant to the reduction of child labor, forced labor, and/or human trafficking. In addition, experience with U.S. policy on international labor issues. Examples of specialized experience are as follows: 1) Applying a range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to assess and improve program effectiveness. 2) Developing and/or overseeing technical assistance projects to address issues related to reducing child labor, forced labor, and/or human trafficking in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa; or 3) Contributing to the formulation of U.S. foreign policy on labor issues in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors below and will be placed into a category based on your vacancy question responses.

Categories

Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying critical competencies required by this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity.

Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies required by this position.

Category C - Meets the specialized experience described in the minimum qualifications requirements section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Research, Analysis, and Written Communication - Effectively applies knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods to conduct systematic and objective inquiry and analysis. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

Policy Development and Coordination - Formulates effective strategies to engage with assigned countries based on DOL and US priorities and interests and examines policy issues with a long-term perspective. Determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities.

Interagency Coordination - Effectively coordinates between elements of the Department, US Government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and regional and international organizations for the purpose of accomplishing an objective.

Technical Assistance - Knowledge of requirements, practices, and procedures for soliciting, receiving, reviewing, and processing proposals, and awarding and administering grants and agreements.

The information you provide on your resume may be verified by a review of your work experience, employment start/end dates/hours worked and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume. Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments (ex. interview, panel review, written test, writing sample, etc.)

INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified." Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation. Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process
National security

Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password-protected documents.

- Resumes are required - provide a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one from your profile. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list the month, year, and the number of work hours worked for the experience listed on your resume. We also suggest that you preview the vacancy questions, and confirm that your resume supports your question responses.

- Veterans Documents (if applicable): To be considered as a 5-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. To claim 10-point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. (For active duty service members expecting honorable or general discharge or release within 120 days, click Active Duty ). Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference. For more information, go to http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted. Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship , and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - If you are using education as a basis for qualifying for this position, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, Ph.D., etc.). If specific coursework is required to qualify, you must supply an unofficial transcript from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit.

You may upload your unofficial transcript(s) as one document (3 MB size limit). If over 3 MB, please submit via fax feature.

NOTE: The OFFICIAL Transcript(s) MUST BE RECEIVED, if you are selected, and prior to receiving the firm offer with a start date.

Reference the "Education Section" for College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education.

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.