Attorney-Advisor (General Law)

Closing Date: 23rd July, 2024

Description:

Summary:
Duties:

• Advise program staff on project structure, issues arising during project implementation, and project close-out;
• Participate in the preparation, review, and negotiation of grant agreements;
• Review contracts between project sponsors, grant recipients, and U.S. companies for the performance of USTDA-funded activities;
• Analyze and resolve issues arising under the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, annual appropriations acts, and other laws relevant to U.S. trade and foreign assistance programs, including advising on consequences of commencement and termination of assistance to individual countries in the region;
• Negotiate inter-agency agreements with representatives of other U.S. government agencies;
• Advise on the legal and policy implications of operational decisions related to furnishing grants in individual countries in the region;
• Review due diligence findings and advise on suitability of potential project sponsors, grant recipients, and U.S. companies for the performance of USTDA-funded activities;
• Perform legal research and render legal interpretations in connection with special projects as assigned by the General Counsel, including developing policies and guidelines for the Agency; and
• Participate in agency and inter-agency working groups and represent the agency in dealings with a variety of USTDA stakeholders.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

• US Citizenship is required.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation.
• Direct Deposit of pay is required.
• Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
• Background and security investigation for Top Secret Clearance.

Qualifications:
The Following Qualifications Are Required at All Grade Levels:
At the Gs-13 Level, You Must Meet the Following Qualification:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes but is not limited to:
• A minimum of three years post J.D./LL.B. legal experience in one or more of the following areas: corporate or commercial law; international transactions; project finance; and government contracts or grants;
• Skill in research and analysis of complex legal issues;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience drafting agreements for transactions, memoranda of law, regulatory documents, or corporate legal documents;
• Possession and application of strong negotiating, analytical, and interpersonal skills;
• Experience addressing legal and factual issues for which there are limited precedents and that require balancing of conflicting or competing interests;
• Experience performing routine legal assignments independently; and
• Experience independently managing caseloads and completing activities within established schedules.

At the GS-14 level, you must meet the following qualification:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• A minimum of four years post J.D./LL.B. legal experience in one or more of the following areas: corporate or commercial law; international transactions; project finance; and government contracts or grants;
• Skill in research and analysis of complex legal issues;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience drafting agreements for transactions, memoranda of law, regulatory documents, or corporate legal documents;
• Possession and application of strong negotiating, analytical, and interpersonal skills;
• Experience addressing legal and factual issues for which there are limited precedents and that require balancing of conflicting or competing interests;
• Experience performing routine legal assignments independently; and
• Experience independently managing caseloads and completing activities within established schedules.

You must be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state, a territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

You must be a U.S. citizen in order to qualify for this position.
*Note: If currently employed as an attorney in the federal government, you must have completed one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade level as the position to be filled.

Foreign Legal Education: Education completed in a foreign college or university may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof that the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to those gained in an ABA Accredited U.S. legal education program. U.S. citizenship is required for this position.

Applicants must carefully review the information in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for important information and instructions pertaining to the multi-hurdle assessment process for this position.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

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.

Education:
If qualifying based on EDUCATION you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Only education from institutions which are accredited or preaccredited/candidate for accreditation may be used to meet education requirements.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional Information:
Telework Suitability:
The duties of this position are suitable for occasional telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act.

• Selection for this term position may require serving a 1-year trial period.
• If selected, you will be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450).
• Applicants must be eligible to obtain and keep a security clearance. Appointment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Work Schedule:
This position allows for recurring telework with in-office days required.

Miscellaneous:
TDA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days.

If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.
Read more

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Veterans Preference:
TDA is not required to apply Veterans Preference in filling this Excepted Service position. However, the agency will follow the principles of Veterans Preference to the extent administratively feasible. Applicants eligible for Veterans Preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or

---