Director, Security and Foreign Affairs

Summary

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the position is responsible for leading, managing, and developing a small team of 5-6 policy research staff (analysts, fellows, and research assistants), specifically overseeing the unclassified work in Security and Foreign Affairs subject matter areas. Also contributes to the broader staff as one of the directors providing cross-functional coordination and leadership across the Commission staff.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Administratively Determined, Full-Time, Term-Appointed Position
(The initial term of appointment is one year and is generally renewed annually by mutual agreement. This position is not covered by provisions of 5 USC that apply to Executive Branch employees regarding appointment, termination, competitive service selection, and pay related rules and regulations.)

Duties

1. Lead and manage a diverse team developing policy-relevant analysis within the Commission's mandate. Lead the team's efforts to: generate ideas; research and draft the Commission's Annual Report; prepare staff papers and issue briefs; develop hearings; draft talking points and editorials, etc.
2. Develop and mentor junior and mid-career policy analysts to build subject matter expertise and produce substantive and effective written and oral assessments of issues in the team's portfolio.
3. Collaborate with the Economics and Trade Team to ensure research in support of the Commission's mandate is comprehensive and coordinated across all relevant issue areas.
4. Ensure the team's analytic work is accurate, timely, and well written; satisfies the requirements of Commissioners and Congress; reflect the Commission's positions; is relevant to Congressional policy-making; and meets professional standards.
5. Serve as a subject matter expert for Commissioners, to Congressional staff, and in support of the Commission's advice to Congress, in the subject matter areas assigned to your team (see areas of expertise identified in the requirements and qualifications listed below).
6. Develop and sustain a professional network with officials in the U.S. government who create or carry out China-related strategy, policy, or plans; and China analysts in the U.S. government, private sector, and academia.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be eligible for a security clearance.
• Upon appointment, the selectee will be required to undergo a background investigation, and during the employment period may also be required to obtain and hold a Federal security clearance.
• An active clearance is not a prerequisite for applying for or initiating employment.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

1. An established record of policy-relevant professional experience on issues related to Chinese national security and foreign affairs.
2. Experience supervising and leading people and teams in conducting research and analysis.
3. Strong and demonstrated ability to present information clearly and concisely through both written and oral communication.
4. Advanced research, analytical, and evaluative skills, including the ability to mentor and develop in analysts the skills necessary to synthesize and analyze large amounts of disparate data on emerging and/or controversial issues and clearly communicate their implications to a policy audience.
5. Expert knowledge of five or more of the following areas:
   
   1. China's foreign policy and global diplomatic activities;
   2. China's domestic politics and policy-making;
   3. China's military strategy and the organization, capabilities, and activities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA);
   4. China's development of technologies for defense applications, the defense research and development (R&D) ecosystem, and military-civil fusion initiatives;
   5. China's internal security policies and apparatus, to include CCP inspection and discipline organs, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the People's Armed Police (PAP), and the judicial, Pro curatorial, and penal systems;
   6. China's policies and activities relating the transnational security challenges, including drug flows, cybersecurity, nonproliferation, public health, information control, transnational repression, and others;
   7. China's relations with Taiwan;
   8. China's policy toward Hong Kong; and U.S. foreign policy related to China and the Indo-Pacific (including U.S. alliances and other partnerships in the region) and U.S. military strategy, capabilities, and activities in the Indo-Pacific.

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

(Not required, but may be considered in the selection process)

1. Professional proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, to include ability to effectively utilize original language sources of electronic and print information, and guide the use of such resources by other analysts, in developing policy-relevant original research and analysis.
2. Experience working in or engaging with Congress on matters related to national security and foreign affairs policy.
3. Experience living and/or working in China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong, or in a U.S. government department or agency that conducted or oversaw national security and foreign affairs policy with China.
4. Academic degree(s) in a relevant field, such as Asian Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Security Studies, or Asian History.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher.

Additional information

The Commission actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and values having a variety of views, backgrounds, and experiences on the team. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of that individual's protected characteristics, including: race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and childbirth), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, uniformed service, or sexual orientation.

The Commission will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities as appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The Commission participates in the E-Verify Program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you are hired by the Commission, the Commission will verify with the DHS and the SSA that you are eligible for employment in the United States.

Benefits. As federal government employees, Commission employees in six-month term positions are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. Employees accrue and may use annual and sick leave in accordance with Commission policies and procedures. For more information, please visit https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits

• Benefits
  
  Review our benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

The Commission will evaluate your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to assess your qualifications and experience. The Executive Director and appropriate staff will interview the top candidates. Interviews will consist of two parts: 1) interviews with the Executive Director and appropriate staff; and 2) a writing test.

The Chairman and/or Vice Chair may interview the final candidates. The final hiring decision will be made by the Executive Director.

• Benefits
  
  Review our benefits
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Cover letter, resume, and current writing sample.
  
  
  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.
• How to Apply
  
  Submit a complete application package containing all of the below required documents in one PDF file via email to Opportunities@uscc.gov. Incomplete application packages or information not received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date will not be considered.
  
  
  1. Cover letter, to include:
     
     1. Position title
     2. Vacancy number
     3. Brief statement outlining your interest in the Commission and this position and how you heard about the position
     4. Concise response on how you meet the requirements and qualifications set out in this vacancy
     5. Your availability to begin work in-person in Washington, DC
     6. Your salary requirements
     7. Name and contact information for two professional references, one of whom must be a current or recent past supervisor.
  2. Resume
  3. Recent Writing Sample The writing sample can be on any topic; writing relevant to the position being sought is strongly preferred; writing and editing must be your own work and should not exceed 5 pages.
  
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Human Resources
  
  Phone
  
  202-624-1407
  
  Email
  
  opportunities@uscc.gov
  
  Address
  
  US-China Economic and Security Review Commission
  
  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  
  Suite 602
  
  Washington, DC 20001
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  After submitting your application package you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application materials. Please note this email confirmation is not automated and may take 2-3 business days to receive. You will be contacted via email if we wish to schedule an interview or require additional information. All applicants will be notified once the position has been filled.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Cover letter, resume, and current writing sample.


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.

How to Apply

Submit a complete application package containing all of the below required documents in one PDF file via email to Opportunities@uscc.gov. Incomplete application packages or information not received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date will not be considered.

1. Cover letter, to include:
   
   1. Position title
   2. Vacancy number
   3. Brief statement outlining your interest in the Commission and this position and how you heard about the position
   4. Concise response on how you meet the requirements and qualifications set out in this vacancy
   5. Your availability to begin work in-person in Washington, DC
   6. Your salary requirements
   7. Name and contact information for two professional references, one of whom must be a current or recent past supervisor.
2. Resume
3. Recent Writing Sample The writing sample can be on any topic; writing relevant to the position being sought is strongly preferred; writing and editing must be your own work and should not exceed 5 pages.

Agency contact information

Human Resources

Phone

202-624-1407

Email

opportunities@uscc.gov

Address

US-China Economic and Security Review Commission

444 North Capitol Street, NW

Suite 602

Washington, DC 20001

US

Next steps

After submitting your application package you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application materials. Please note this email confirmation is not automated and may take 2-3 business days to receive. You will be contacted via email if we wish to schedule an interview or require additional information. All applicants will be notified once the position has been filled.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request