ICF is hiring a Senior International Trade Specialist/Advisor to perform a critical role within the Office of the Deputy Undersecretary (ODUS) of the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) at the U.S. Department of Labor. ILAB increases American job and wage growth by combating foreign labor abuses and unfair trade practices in global supply chains that undermine U.S. prosperity and security. The position requires the ability to provide expert advice to ILAB regarding opportunities in global commerce to create and enforce labor standards for trade agreements to combat child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking in global supply chains that undermine the American economy and security. The Senior International Trade Specialist/Advisor will play an important role in identifying international labor interventions designed to produce the greatest benefit for American workers through ensuring fair trade and labor standards are executed by U.S. trade partners. The position is expected to proactively seek opportunities and design activities through trade agreements and innovative partnerships with American businesses, labor organizations, community colleges and other vocational institutions, and public or private research laboratories. The position reports to the Trade Strategy and Initiatives Chief within ODUS and may be posted in Washington, DC or remotely.
Key Responsibilities
Lead development of trade agreement negotiation and implementation strategies to ensure a fair global trade environment focusing on labor rights and adherence to trade rules and standards, thereby minimizing foreign labor abuses such as forced labor, trafficked labor, and child labor within global supply chains.
Provide a rapid review of various types of international agreements and offer concrete recommendations for advancing American workforce development through integrated combined operations among apprenticeship programs, American domestic industrial base industries, vocational training and academic institutions, and capital investors.
Serve as a subject matter expert on international trade policies and procedures and provide technical advice regarding but not limited to provisions and enforcement of forced and child labor in the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), or Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Withold Release Orders, or Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Provide critical and time sensitive information regarding economic, cultural, or social circumstances which can affect a country’s capacity to adhere to international labor and trade standards. These duties necessitate the ability to obtain and broadly share information on major U.S. government trade programs and operations.
Review and evaluate international programs, operations, and initiatives to deliver outcomes using a market systems approach for maximum impact in achieving ILAB objectives related to forced and trafficked labor, child labor, and illicit trade practices.
Participate in meetings, conferences, or committees to promote ILAB goals and objectives.
Cultivate international and domestic contacts, liaisons, and relations at all levels of the private sector, other U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, foreign organizations, and research entities to promote U.S. employment, wage, and trade policy.
Required Qualifications
Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience and a graduate degree relevant to fields involving international law, international trade & finance, or international labor affairs.
Demonstrated expertise in international trade across the whole of U.S. government, with a focus on trade agreements, enforcement, and implementation related to combating child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking within global supply chains such as working with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), or Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), or Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), or U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or the U.S. Department of State.
Expertise in trade policy and ability to assist the various offices within ILAB to maximize direct economic benefits for American workers through international engagement advancing fair trade, the elimination of abusive labor practices, and upholding international agreements.
Security Clearance: Ability to obtain low-level security clearance (U.S. citizenship, having resided in the U.S. for the past 2 years, and ability to perform the work of this position from a location within the United States)
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated design and adoption of Enterprise Risk Management approaches to promote innovation, achieve efficiency, foster accountability, and risk mitigation.
Demonstrated ability to build collaboration through multiple instruments among American industrial and manufacturing businesses, vocational training programs, and international entities.
Professional Skills
Superb writing skills, including economic policy brief writing with an ability to tailor the tone, content and form of written output to different audiences and to suit a variety of formats; ability to synthesize information and communicate in an accurate and coherent manner
Humility to receive feedback, revise deliverables, and accept directions from others.
Ability to think strategically, creatively and to find innovative ways to respond to emerging organizational and project needs
Detail-oriented and deadline-driven with strong organizational skills with an ability to work remotely
Ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing requirements and priorities
Strong cross-cultural, interpersonal, management, and collaboration skills in highly complex structures involving multiple teams and stakeholders
Critical thinking, sound problem solving, and decision-making skills
Highly self-motivated and able to work independently as well as in team settings
Working at ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
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At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.
However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.
The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$98,187.00 - $166,919.00DC Client Office (DC88)