Director of Policy and Research

To meet minimum qualification requirements for this position, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

All applicants MUST submit written narrative responses addressing each Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ) and Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) separately. When preparing your responses to the MTQs and ECQs, you are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Result model outlined in the OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications. Your examples should be clear and concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope of complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments including the results of your actions. ECQ narrative statements may not exceed ten (10) pages; MTQs may not exceed two (2) pages. Please included your full name on all documents submitted.

You must upload your written narrative responses to MTQs and EQCs to your application package. Failure to meet the basic qualification requirement and address all Mandatory Technical and Executive Core Qualification factors will result in your application being disqualified.

Note: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to provide ECQs narratives.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQ): Mandatory for all applicants.
All applicants must submit a written narrative response to the following MTQs. You must address each MTQ separately. Each MTQ narrative must not exceed two (2) pages. Please give examples and explain the complexity of the knowledge possessed and the sensitivity of the issued you handled.

MTQ 1: Strategic Management and Planning Acumen - This qualification requires expert knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results; and formulates effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the organization in a global economy. Examines policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective. Determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities. Competencies: Research and Strategic Thinking.

MTQ 2: Foreign Policy and Current Events Acumen - This qualification requires extensive knowledge and understanding of domestic and international affairs and U.S. foreign policy; an awareness of and sensitivity to cultural and political influences affecting global audiences; and extensive knowledge of world wide geo-political and economic events; demonstrated knowledge of press freedom issues, and political and policy awareness at a level, which will provide for sensitivity in judgments made on highly controversial matters. Demonstrated ability to communicate with external parties, such as Department of State, National Security Council, and other Administration and Congressional officials on country, topical, or regional strategies to ensure understanding of community work and contributions in furtherance of foreign policy objectives. Competencies: External Awareness, and Political Savvy.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS: Mandatory for all competitive applicants.
All applicants must submit a written narrative response to each of the following ECQs. Your narrative must address each ECQ separately, should contain at least two examples describing your experiences and results; and demonstrate the underlying competencies in the narrative. Your ECQ narrative responses must not exceed 10 pages.

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision.

ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building.

ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility.

ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management.

ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating.