Deputy General Counsel (International Affairs)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Office of General Counsel of the Department of War.

The Deputy General Counsel (International Affairs), a career member of the Senior Executive Service, is principal assistant to the General Counsel and, subject to his or her authority, direction, and control, acts with the full authority of the General Counsel in all matters within the General Counsel's authority and responsibility.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ), and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.

Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications: TQ 1: Comprehensive knowledge of and demonstrated experience in the following legal practice and program areas: international law, including treaties and customary international law, the laws and customs of war, the law of the sea, the law of outer space, and arms control; and those legal disciplines associated with national security law, including the Constitution and U.S.

statutes as they pertain to national security matters, such as the National Security Act, the War Powers Resolution, appropriations law, and foreign relations law.

TQ 2: The ability to work effectively with a diverse, senior client base and to serve as a member of the Agency's executive leadership team in ensuring continued mission success.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs.

If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

Sub-Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.

Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.

Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests.

Demonstrates a commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

Sub-Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals.

Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities.

Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs.

Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

Sub-Competencies: Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work.

Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain. Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options.

Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems. Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions.

Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.

ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

Sub-Competencies: Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained.

Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.

Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others.

Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.

Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes.

Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications.

Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Sub-Competencies: Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes.

Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation.

Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements.

Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

See "Required Documents" section for additional information. Major Duties:

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: International Affairs.

Personally, and through members of his/her professional staff, the incumbent provides the legal advice and assistance required in the development of policy, the implementation of programs, and the negotiation of agreements concerning or affecting Department of War (DoW) international activities and operations, including those pertaining to U.S.

national security including homeland defense and defense support of civilian authorities. The incumbent serves as the focal point for legal advice to DoW and U.S.

delegations to bilateral and multinational negotiations relating to matters affecting DoW.

The incumbent provides legal analysis of suggested negotiating positions, inter alia, to ensure that the proposed agreements and arrangements will be legally sufficient under U.S.

and international law. The incumbent is responsible for representing DoW's interests in litigation before international tribunals, such as the International Court of Justice and the Iran -U.S.

Claims Tribunal, and for advising on national security and international law and homeland defense-related matters implicating DoW interests in litigation before U.S. Courts.

The incumbent has legal responsibilities in connection with the administration of status of forces and similar agreements and arrangements applicable to DoW personnel and operations in foreign countries.

These agreements cover such matters as the apportionment of civil and criminal jurisdiction between foreign and U.S.

military courts, taxation, military procurement abroad, customs exemptions, passports, and foreign claims.

The incumbent may be called upon to testify before Congress or to brief members of Congress or their staffs on any of the areas within the office's responsibilities.

The incumbent serves as focal point for resolution of differences among the Military Departments, Defense Agencies, and Field Activities in the area of legal support for DoW operations and activities worldwide, and advises DoW components on relevant international programs, international agreements, and the requirements of national security and international law.

The incumbent renders legal opinions on questions referred by Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and other Departmental officials on a wide range of matters within the incumbent's areas of responsibility, including but not limited to: legal problems arising out of the negotiations, drafting, and implementation of treaties and other international agreements and arrangements; DoW relationships with multilateral international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO; international tax, patent, procurement, logistics, and claims problems; foreign military sales and security assistance; agreements for industrial and scientific cooperation; humanitarian assistance and relief operations; laws and customs of war; law of the sea; space law; law pertaining to cyberspace; export controls; arms control and disarmament; nuclear matters; and other complex problems concerning worldwide Do W operations.

The incumbent provides legal advice and assistance in the development of policy, the implementation of programs, and the negotiation of international agreements concerning DoW international assistance programs, including with countries in all global regions in the areas of Cooperative Threat Reduction; counterproliferation activities; and international cooperative defense, trade, technology, and research and development; and international cooperative personnel exchanges and security of information matters.

The incumbent reviews papers referred by the Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and others for legal implications, including matters of international law, and suggests changes to eliminate legal deficiencies and better serve policy goals.

The incumbent also serves as focal point for the responsibilities of the General Counsel under DoW Instruction 5530.3, International Agreements, and DoW Directive 5100.77, the DoW Law of War Program.