#3516 Airfield Operations Advisor at US Dept of State - NEA-SCA/EX

Marketing Statement: THIS IS NON-STATUS, NON-PERMANENT POSITION.  YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE A COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION. 

Duration of Appointment: 1 year renewable for up to 4 additional years.

Key Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship is required. 
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. 
Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
*Incumbent must be willing to relocate to Baghdad, IRAQ. 

Candidate Selection: Selections may be made as early as one week after the announcement is posted.  Offer will be made based upon application meeting the minimum requirements for the position. Selectee must be in Washington, D.C., by their Entry On Duty (EOD) date.

Salary: FS-02 Equivalent ($121,803 - $178,873). 

For award, NEA-SCA/EX will negotiate for this contract based on the following:

- Entry-level salary is at Step 1 of the grade range assigned to solicitation. 

- Consideration given for experience relevant specifically to the solicitation requirements.

- Level and extent of experience dictates the salary level within the grade range. 

Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference is not applicable to this position. 

**The applicant’s resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight work experience and professional certifications related to this opportunity.  If selected for an interview applicant may be required to provide a writing sample.**

Introduction and General Purpose of the Contract

This is a temporary position established to perform a specific project supporting executive departments and agencies in facilitating the strategic partnership between the U.S. Government and the Republic of Iraq, in further securing and stabilizing the country, and continuing an effective diplomatic presence in Iraq.  The incumbent of the position will be under the Chief of Mission (COM) authority.

This position is assigned to U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center (BDSC) located at Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq.  BDSC is the primary logistics hub supporting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate General Erbil.

The operating environment in Iraq remains a uniquely difficult challenge. The Government of Iraq (GOI) is still progressing with institution building and often changes laws, regulations, policies and procedures with little or no advance warning, negatively affecting Embassy operations.  Unlike almost any other mission in the world, Mission Iraq continues to provide full life support to a population of over 6,000 persons, including over 4,000 contractors, involving contracts in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Airfield Operations Advisor (AOA) reports to the Senior Advisor for Aviation, Airfield, and Cargo Operations (SA) and is a key member of the BDSC Aviation Liaison Office (ALO).  As such the incumbent contributes to Quality Assurance oversight of aviation, airfield, and cargo operations, functions, and activities, including air traffic control (ATC) liaison, liaison with Embassy Air and airfield management contractors, monitoring operations of airfield facilities, and the BDSC control tower; and developing and formulating plans and recommendations for the SA and BDSC Director.

AOS serve as the acting SA when required and as such, will report to the BDSC Director regarding all BDSC aviation activities and support functions and responsible for coordination of airfield support activities.

RELATIONSHIP:

The AOA reports to the (SA).  The Advisor operates with considerable autonomy in planning, organizing, and assuring successful completion of assigned responsibilities, including extensively coordinating activities with a wide range of government and nongovernment organizations and exercising a high degree of judgment and initiative in anticipating BDSC short and long range operations management requirements and in determining the most effective and efficient approaches to ensuring operational needs are met.  Decisions made by the AOA may be accepted without higher-level review.  Completed work is evaluated for the successful accomplishment of overall objectives, especially in devising sound and effective plans and strategies for meeting BDSC program operational needs in a highly dynamic environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the principal advisor to the Senior Advisor for Aviation, Airfield, and Cargo Operations (SA), the BDSC Director in identifying short and long-range operational requirements in support of S. Embassy Baghdad air operations.
• Develops plans, policies, and procedures for airfield support operations, facilities, and BDSC host support activities.
• Recommends policy changes and airfield management operations to ensure safety and effectiveness in both civil and military air traffic management.
• Contributes to Quality Assurance (QA) oversight of all aviation matters and operations. 
• Assists with coordination with Embassy Baghdad offices such as DAO, LMC, CMO; and U.S. Military and coalition partners to ensure safe and effective civil and military air traffic and airfield management operations. 
• With the guidance of the SA, serves as a designated aviation point of contact for the US Army Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), NATO Mission Iraq, and OIR coalition partner aviation contacts to facilitate logistical and operational coordination at BDSC.
• Under direction of the SA, collaborates with Regional Security Officers (RSO) and the Defense Attaché Office (DAO) on the extradition of detainees, ensuring compliance with established protocols.
• Maintains regular communication with the Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS) and collaborate with the regional Transportation Security Administration Representative (TSAR) to ensure that passenger terminal operations comply with international aviation standards.
• Makes recommendations on matters affecting the basic content and character of policy statements and regulations on the airfield operations system.
• Maintains close liaison with ICAA (Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority) officials, Air Traffic Control (ATC), other GOI officials, and BDSC Customs and Immigration personnel to maintain good, effective relations with host government officials.
• Advises on effective use of airfield operations assets, provides functional expertise and input for activating, employing, using, or deactivating airfield operations equipment, and recommends inter-operability enhancements for airfield operations facilities and adjacent ATC and aviation support functions to allow increased responsiveness and flexibility for flight operations. 
• Provides expert advice and guidance to ensure the organization operates at optimum efficiency and effectiveness. Briefs senior management on a regular basis on operational developments, trends, and issues of significant interest.
• Devises and implements practical solutions to a broad range of critical and complex operational issues affecting the BDSC’s ability to efficiently fulfill its roles and responsibilities in support of the U.S. Embassy such as implementing the terms of memoranda of agreement/understanding and other agreements related to co-location of USG and non-USG entities and related cost sharing for joint use of the facilities and preparing a functional information systems plan which provides for equipment/data security, communications, information technology, and audio/visual services as needed.
• Partners with the other members of the management team and with contractors to provide effective support for the Embassy’s air operations, medical operations, regional logistics/distribution operations, transiting of U.S. Mission personnel, and other agency-specific operations. Supports the presence of several USG agencies, non-USG agencies, non-US organizations, and those organizations’ direct hire employees and contractor staff at the Support Hub. 
• Assesses the operational strengths and weaknesses of BDSC air operations to advise and assist leadership in effectively recognizing and addressing operational issues, new program opportunities, and changing requirements, and in developing methods to effectively manage the dynamic nature of the logistical, aviation, medical, housing and other missions.
• Conducts numerous complex and high priority special assignments at the direction of the BDSC Director, involving research and fact-finding, to support the development of operational plans for activities of critical importance to the effective accomplishment of the BDSC mission.
• Coordinates and facilitates communications on planning and operations matters between the BDSC and other offices of USMI, other government agencies, regional representatives, representatives of donor nations, and non-governmental entities.
• Ensures that required actions are understood and carried out in accordance with the decisions and directions of senior leadership, including following up on decisions and ensuring the completion of required actions in a timely manner.
• Prepares reports, papers, and other documents for senior leadership, ensuring that they are well-written, fully coordinated with other affected organizations, timely, and complete, including preparation of sensitive products for Chief of Mission-level action.
• Consults with BDSC section heads, GTMs, and other managers on a regular basis to discuss operational issues and to provide expert guidance in optimizing operational effectiveness. Identifies a variety of viable alternatives for meeting current and projected operational requirements.  Recommends the most feasible options and develops action plans and strategies to implement approved options.  Advises the SA in responding to new and emergent operational requirements.
• Works closely with the SA in planning and conducting complex, high priority special projects involving policies, plans, programs, and operations. Projects may involve highly sensitive issues and require reconciling sharply conflicting and divergent viewpoints.  Enlists the support of other staff as necessary to accomplish project objectives within established timeframes. 
• Provides technical guidance and direction to other employees (vice contractors) assigned to the operational planning and management area.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Factor Level Descriptions

FACTOR 1:  Knowledge Required by the Position

• Mastery of operational management concepts, methods, and best practices to provide BDSC leadership with sound and effective advice and guidance in the planning and implementation of support operations.
• Demonstrated expertise knowledge of the operating requirements of a comprehensive logistics support program providing a broad range of services in support of a USG overseas activity in a high threat location including aviation, medical services, regional logistics/distribution operations, ground transportation, and other related functions to provide expert advice and guidance to the Director and SA in meeting short term operational requirements and preparing for long range requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of structure and functions of the federal government and its principal agencies including the military departments, and how they interrelate in supporting the accomplishment of the operational aviation support mission in Iraq.
• Demonstrated ability to manage critical, time sensitive projects that require extensive coordination across program and organizational lines within the Mission, the Department, and with other USG agencies and the efficient management of assigned resources including technical and professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to take decisive action and speak with authority on behalf of management in obtaining consensus on the most effective approaches for meeting critical operational requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with individuals at all levels, including senior management officials, in garnering cooperation and support for key operational planning and management initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work effectively, cooperatively, and harmoniously in a multi-disciplinary team environment under considerable stress and tight deadlines, and with minimal supervision in meeting the demands associated with a high profile, results-driven activity.
• Strong oral and written communications, to include planning and coordination of activities, reconcile dif­fer­ing or conflict­ing view­points, present and defend recommendations, provide advice and guidance, prepare and present briefings and reports, resolve complex and often highly controversial issues, and represent the program in a wide variety of forums.
• Proficiency in use of the Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Team, and Sharepoint) to organize, analyze, prepare, and present program information to a variety of audiences.
• Skill in oral and written communication to plan and coordinate activities, reconcile conflict­ing view­points, present and defend recommendations, provide advice and guidance, prepare and present senior level briefings and reports, lead negotiations, represent the program in a wide variety of forums and articulate USG policy in a wide variety of forums.

FACTOR 2:  Supervisory Controls

The incumbent will be under Chief of Mission authority and reports to the SA, who provides only broad policy guidance and direction as needed. The incumbent coordinates assignments with not only the supervisor but also with senior level officials at post, as well as senior officials in participating USG agency and foreign governments individually or jointly involved in supporting the mission. The incumbent operates with a high degree of autonomy in planning, organizing, and coordinating efforts to assist in the development and implementation of policies and strategies to promote capacity development in the logistics management areas.  The incumbent’s actions, decisions, and recommendations are reviewed on the basis of results achieved, conformance with appropriate laws and regulations, and contributions made toward furthering the overall mission. The incumbent’s professional judgment is relied upon by senior leadership.

FACTOR 3:  Guidelines

Guidelines consist of overall USG foreign policy mission statements for Iraq, the Foreign Affairs Manual and Handbook, acquisition requirements in the FAR and DOSAR, Mission and Management Section policies, operations management theories and practices, and ongoing assessments of Mission and Management Section operational requirements. The very broad nature of these guidelines requires the incumbent to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in adapting, extending, and modifying available guidance to meet the organization’s need for sound and effective strategic and operational management advice and direction under extremely challenging conditions.  The plans, methods, and approaches developed by the incumbent in response to Mission and Management Section operational requirements may serve as models for other USG missions managing transitions in similar volatile, non-permissive environments.

FACTOR 4:  Complexity

The work involves providing substantive expertise in the planning, development, implementation, and coordination of a myriad of multi-faceted projects that support the mission in Iraq. Decisions on the most effective approaches for planning and coordinating assigned projects are complicated by the intricacy of contracts to acquire products and services needed to support post-conflict programs; the unique nature of  programs and initiatives in Iraq; the fluid nature of the operational environment at post that requires the incumbent to make on-the-spot decisions,; the reliance placed by senior USG leadership on the advice and guidance provided by the incumbent; the need to coordinate and work closely with a large number of government organizations supporting programs in the region; the need to individually, or in concert with a variety of other stakeholders, resolve critical problems and achieve difficult goals that impact on other USG foreign policy programs; and the continuing insurgency activities in the region that require frequent adjustments to plans and operations. A high degree of resourcefulness and flexibility is needed to develop and implement new methods and approaches to meet constantly changing operational requirements.  

FACTOR 5:  Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to provide expert advice, guidance, leadership, and coordination in support of programs in Iraq. The work also involves evaluating and reporting on the short and long-term results of these programs on the overall USG mission in Iraq.  Successful performance of assigned responsibilities is of critical importance the accomplishment of USG foreign policy and national security objectives in Iraq and the Middle East.  

FACTOR 6/7:  Personal Contacts/Purpose of Contacts

Contacts include Embassy employees at all levels including senior program and policy officials; counterparts of other USG agencies at post; senior officials and staff of Iraqi ministries; and contractors representing major private companies. Contacts are to provide advice and assistance; plan and coordinate projects; promote cooperation among USG agencies; prepare and present reports; share information across program and organizational lines; and, resolve problems. Contacts take place in meetings and conferences and also in ad hoc situations where the incumbent must exercise a high level of diplomacy and tact at all times in representing USG interests.

FACTOR 8:  Physical Demands

The position requires deployment to a physically challenging and stressful environment.  It may require unusual physical exertion under unfavorable conditions including extremely hot, dusty conditions and air pollution, uneven and rocky terrain.  Incumbent must be able to respond to duck-and-cover alarms and run to seek cover in a protected bunker in five seconds or less.  Living conditions are basic, with somewhat limited medical care available.

Employees are sometimes required to wear a helmet and body armor that together weigh a minimum of 30 pounds.  In some areas, and depending on security conditions, these may have to be worn throughout the workday. In addition, there is sometimes the need to walk significant distances through rough and uneven terrain wearing protective armor and/or carrying equipment and work materials.  Transportation may be in off-road vehicles, armored commercial or military vehicles, helicopters, cargo aircraft or other transportation with confined seating.

Living conditions can be challenging, with sparse amenities, little opportunity for recreation and virtually no opportunity to go off-compound for any non-work related or recreational purposes. 

FACTOR 9:  Work Environment

The work is usually performed in a basic office setting. The work environment is arduous and potentially dangerous with long work hours.  In a conflict zone, there may be threats requiring rapid evacuation to safety.  Employees should be prepared for the risk of terrorist or insurgent attacks, kidnapping, and intrusive surveillance.

Required basic qualifications

• The incumbent must possess U.S. citizenship.
• The incumbent must have, or be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.
• The incumbent must be able to obtain a medical clearance to work in
• The incumbent must have or be able to obtain a valid U.S. passport.
• Familiarity with the operating environment in Iraq.

*NOTE:  Priority will be given to candidates who apply within the first two weeks of the advertisement being open.