Duties

Summary

This position is part of the US Trade and Development Agency. The Attorney-Adviser (Power Africa) will serve as an Assistant General Counsel, providing legal guidance and advice on operations and administration of Power Africa funds and programming at USTDA. The Power Africa initiative was launched in 2013, bringing together technical and legal experts, the private sector, and governments from around the world to work in partnership to increase the number of people with access to power.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Provides authoritative legal guidance and advice on matters arising in connection with projects and activities within the authority of the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Director.
• Participates in the preparation, review and negotiations of grants agreements related to the Power Africa Initiative.
• Reviews contracts between project sponsors, grant recipients, and U.S. companies. Negotiates inter-agency agreements with representatives of other U.S. government agencies.
• Reviews for legal adequacy agreements between foreign governments and the U.S. private sector, and between USTDA and U.S. firms and organizations.
• Provides advice and guidance regarding audit requirements and activities for regional projects.
• Provides interpretations and advice to Regional Directors with respect to foreign assistance legislation and other legislation affecting USTDA programs.
• Reviews due diligence findings and advises on the suitability of potential project sponsors, grant recipients, and U.S. companies for the performance of USTDA funded activities.
• Provides guidance and assistance on the use of international financing institutions by USTDA and host governments, including drafting, negotiation and implementation of agreements for such funds.
• Drafts and reviews international agreements with foreign governments related to assistance provided by USTDA.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

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 Secret or Top Secret Clearance.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required at the GS-13 grade level:

• 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 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 negotiating, analytical, and interpersonal skills;
• Experience performing routine legal assignments independently; and
• Experience managing caseloads and completing activities within established schedules.

The following qualifications are required at the GS-14 grade level:

• 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.

The following qualifications are required at the GS-13 and GS-14 grade level:

• 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 possess a J.D., LL.B. or LL.M degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• You must be a U.S. citizen in order to qualify 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.

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.

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

Additional information

Telework Suitability:
The duties of this position are suitable for occasional telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act , as well as agency policy.

Stipulations of Employment:
This term appointment may be extended up to a maximum total period of 4 years or terminated at any time at management's discretion. Selection does not confer eligibility to be promoted or reassigned to other positions or to be non-competitively converted to a career-conditional appointment.

Selection for this term position may require serving a 1 or 2 year trial period.

If selected, you will be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450).

Applicants must be eligible to obtain and keep a security clearance. Appointment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Work Schedule:
This position allows for a flexible work schedule.

Veterans Preference:
USTDA 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).

Miscellaneous:
TDA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify .

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days.

If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness , National security

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.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If applicable, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. Failure to provide this documentation may result in a non preference determination. For more information on veterans' preference (see https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-employment-initiative/vet-guide/ ). 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.