Program Analyst (Senior Strategic Analyst)

Summary

The Secretariat for Special Operations is organized within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (OASD(SO/LIC)). The incumbent of this position supports the entire Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO) towards meeting these Congressional objectives, including but not limited to staffing and human resource policies.

Duties

This position is being filled under Direct Hire Authority (DHA) in accordance with Section 9905 "Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense." Incumbents typical work assignments may include the following: Leads and conducts complex strategic analysis and policy evaluation to assess effectiveness of programs, force design, and organizational strategies supporting mission objectives. Develops and integrates strategic guidance, policy recommendations, and future force concepts, ensuring alignment with national defense priorities and organizational goals. Produces decision support products including briefings, issue papers, and assessments for senior leaders, translating complex analysis into actionable recommendations. Coordinates and collaborates with joint, interagency, and cross-functional stakeholders to resolve competing priorities and ensure unity of effort in strategy and policy development. Supports senior leader engagements by providing analytical insight on emerging issues, strategic risks, and long-term planning considerations, informing enterprise-level decision-making. Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. You may qualify at the GS 15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 14 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability in: 1) Conducting strategic analysis and policy evaluation to inform senior leader decision-making within a national security, defense, or similarly complex organizational environment: 2) Developing and integrating strategic guidance, force design concepts, or policy recommendations, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term mission objectives; AND 3) Producing decision-quality analytical products (e.g., briefings, issue papers, or assessments) and coordinating across stakeholders to resolve competing priorities and support enterprise-level outcomes. 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. All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience. How You Will Be Evaluated

Note: Under this DHA, veteran's preference does not apply. Other Information

Probationary Periods: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing an online application, you may request an alternative application. Please send an email to the following address for information on how to obtain an alternative application: [email protected] Reemployed Annuitants: Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. /www.esd.whs.mil/DD/DoD-Issuances/140025/ Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative. Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.