Department of Defense

Foreign Affairs Specialist (Middle East)

Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia Full time

Foreign Affairs Specialist (Middle East)

Department: Department of Defense

Location(s): Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

Salary Range: $169279 - $220065 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is part of the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert for the DD-MEAF and other senior leaders in the development and coordination of strategy and policy pertaining to Middle East countries within the Department of War, the Interagency and the National Security Council, LEAP and I2S. Coordinates with commands forward deployed in the Central Command area of responsibility, defense attachés, and regional military representatives.

Major Duties:

  • As a Foreign Affairs Specialist (Middle East) at the GS-0130-15 some of your typical work assignments may include: Serve as the Principal Foreign Affairs Specialist for DD-MEAF, and the Director J5 (DJ5), Strategy, Plans and Policy. Develop products, supports meetings, builds relations, and serves as a connecting entity within the Interagency, Combatant Commands and other organizations. Responsible for developing political military advice and policies for current and future military strategy, planning, guidance, policy, civil-military affairs, and military and civil positions in projected and ongoing international negotiations, and interagency coordination within these areas of responsibility. Represent the JS at Middle East regional discussions and meetings with other USG agencies and participates in Middle East regional working groups, Operational Planning Teams (OPTs), ad hoc committees, and meetings with congressional members and staffs. Supports CJCS and other senior leadership travel to the region and visits by senior leaders and identifies and supports U.S. engagement opportunities with ally and partner military and civilian leadership including representing DoW/JS at meetings and other interactions with allies' and partners' counterparts and leadership.

Qualifications: You may qualify at the GS-15, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service: Identifying issues related to U.S. regional mil-to-mil and governmental relationships in the Middle East in order to prepare leadership for meetings/hearings/testimony, and to represent Department of War (DoW)/Joint Staff (JS) at meetings, negotiations, and other interactions with visiting Middle East government officials, military counterparts and leadership. Providing political guidance into U.S. strategic military objectives and policies, U.S. foreign policy and national security policy-making architecture, and coordination processes. Selectee uses this knowledge to resolve major conflicts in policy and strategy objectives. Recognizing current Middle Eastern events and their historical background, especially regional conflicts, internal and external political relations of regional states, military organization, doctrine, capabilities, and vulnerability of states. Interacting with others from U.S. Government agencies, Congress, Combatant Commands and foreign governments to establish and maintain relationships with key individuals/groups throughout the chain of command. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0130 series. Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Experience: four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. *NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. NOTE: Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://www.usajobs.gov, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12946565. Review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

Application Deadline: 2026-05-10