Program Analyst (Senior Strategic Analyst)

US Office of the Secretary of Defense; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (OASD(SO/LIC)), seeks an experienced professional to support the Secretariat for Special Operations. The role emphasizes staffing, policy guidance, and enterprise-level coordination to inform Congressional objectives.

Qualified applicants may qualify at the GS-15 level with demonstrated ability in strategic analysis, policy integration, and producing

Qualifications

• Experience conducting strategic analysis to inform senior leader decision-making.
• Ability to develop and integrate strategic guidance or policy recommendations.
• Experience producing decision-quality analytical products (briefings, issue papers, assessments) and coordinating across stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support the Secretariat for Special Operations within the OSD toward meeting Congressional objectives.
• Staffing and human resource policy development and implementation.
• Coordinate across senior stakeholders to resolve competing priorities and enable enterprise-level outcomes.

Skills

Strategic analysis

Policy evaluation

Coordination across stakeholders

Analytical reporting

Job description

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.

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.

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.