Career Opportunities
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Office of Inspector General
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 09-01PG
POSITION: Foreign Service Auditor - FP-0511-07/03
Salary Range: 41,629.00 - 116,506.00 USD per year
Opening Date: Friday, January 16, 2009
CLOSING DATE: Thursday, December 31, 2009
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: Position has promotion potential to the FP-01 grade level
POSITION INFORMATION: Full-Time Permanent
LOCATION: many vacancies - Washington DC Metro Area, DC
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Applications will be accepted from US Citizens, from current and former
competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities.
Job Summary:
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of Inspector General is seeking entry
level auditors to serve at Regional Inspector General posts worldwide, which currently include: Baghdad,
Cairo, Dakar, Manila, Pretoria, and San Salvador. Candidates must agree not only to serve at any of the
overseas posts, but also in Washington, D.C., according to the needs of the Foreign Service. The Foreign
Service is more than a job - it's a career. As a member of an overseas team, you will not only help to
accomplish the mission of the Agency but also will be a representative of your country to the people of
other nations. A Foreign Service career involves uncommon commitments and occasional hardships, as well
as unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to enter this career must involve unusual motivation and
a firm dedication to public service. The Foreign Service strives to maintain diversity in the representation
of gender, geographic region, race and ethnicity.
RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.
Major Duties:
Foreign Service Auditors are required to perform audits of Agency programs in accordance with generally
accepted government auditing standards. The purpose of these audits is to determine whether the programs
are being carried out in compliance with laws, regulations and agreements; are being administered efficiently
and economically; and are achieving the desired results or benefits. This work requires the development of
audit programs and procedures necessary to conduct audits; the ability to write clear, concise audit reports;
and the coordination of audit matters with USAID and with other U.S. and foreign government agencies.
Successful applicants must be self-starters capable of doing independent audit work in developing countries,
at times under hardship conditions.
Qualifications:
All applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: In order to be considered for this position, you must meet the basic requirement described below.
A. Degree - accounting; or a degree in a related field, such as business administration, finance, or public
administration, that includes or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours
of credit in business law. (The term 'accounting' means 'accounting and/or auditing' in this standard. Similarly, 'accountant'
should be interpreted, generally, as 'accountant and/or auditor.')
OR
B. Combination of education and experience - at least four (4) years of experience in accounting, or an
equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. The applicant's
background must also include one of the following:
1. Twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to
six (6) hours in business law;
2. A certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
3. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15
semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24- semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that:
(a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field,
e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining;
(b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has
demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement
that is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and
(c) except for literal non conformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education,
training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.
In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements, applicants must have specialized experience an/or directly related education
in the amounts shown below.
To qualify for the FP 7/GS 7 level, applicants must have 1 full year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement
OR 1 year of work experience equivalent to at least GS-5.
*Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
1. Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university,
or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
2. Grade point average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
a. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed
based on 4 years of education, or as computed on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
b. 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed
in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society - Applicants can be considered eligible based on
membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. The honor societies are listed in the Association of College Honor Societies:
Booklet of Information (1992-95) and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (1991). Membership in a freshman honor society
cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.
To qualify for the FP-06/GS-09 level, applicants must have 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education
or Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 1 year of work experience equivalent to at least GS-07.
Highly desirable are applicants who possess college degrees to include classes in finance, accounting, or law. CPA certificates or law
degrees are extremely beneficial, as in a foreign-language proficiency, particularly in French or Spanish.
To qualify for the FP 5/GS 11 level, applicants must have 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education
or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR1 year of work experience equivalent to at least GS-9;
To qualify for the FP 4/GS 12 level, applicants must have 1 year of work experience equivalent to at least the GS-11;
To qualify for the FP 3/GS 13 level, applicants must have 1 year of work experience equivalent to at least the GS-12;
Additional related finance/accounting experience, a CPA, working knowledge of consumer software (Microsoft, Word Perfect, Quattro Pro etc...)
and foreign language proficiency - particularly French or Spanish - is highly desirable. The ability to communicate both orally and in writing
is essential for all candidates under consideration.
Note:Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.
How You Will Be Evaluated:
Candidates will be evaluated on the extent to which they possess the required qualifications.
Benefits:
The USAID/OIG offers excellent benefits programs some of which may include:
- Comprehensive health and life insurance
- Competitive salaries
- Generous retirement programs
- Paid holidays, annual and sick leave
- Flexible work environment and alternate work schedules
- Paid employment related training and education
- Subsidized transportation (Metro check)
- Payment of licenses, certification, and academic degree, as applicable
- Incentives and awards, as appropriate
- Telecommuting, as appropriate
- Long Term Care Insurance is offered
- Flexible Spending Account is offered
- Thrift Savings Plan (401 K Plan)
Other Advantages:
We are located in the beautifully designed Ronald Reagan Building (RRB) and International Trade Center (ITC), which is within walking
distance of the White House, the Capitol, Smithsonian Museums, and much more! The RRB is easily accessible to the Federal Triangle metro
station (blue/orange line), has an on-site fitness center and day care center, a DC Visitor and Information Center, food court, and
underground parking garage.
BASIC BENEFITS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE
1. Travel at Government expense of employees and their authorized dependents to and from posts of assignment
in the United States and abroad.
2. Basic orientation at time of entrance on duty and subsequent in-service professional training before
the first overseas assignment.
3. Group life insurance and health benefits programs.
4. Accrual of annual leave ranging from 13 to 26 working days a year, depending on length of service.
5. Accrual of sick leave at thirteen working days per year.
6. Locality pay authorized under certain circumstances.
7. Generous pension and Thrift Savings Plan similar to 401K benefits.
BENEFITS WHEN ASSIGNED OVERSEAS:
1. Travel expenses of employee and their authorized dependents to and
from posts abroad, including shipment of personal effects.
2. Government quarters or housing allowance.
3. Cost of living allowance at posts where the cost of living is substantially
higher than in Washington, D.C.
4. Salary differential, which is taxable, ranging from 5 percent to 20 percent
of base pay at posts where there are unusual hardships.
5. Accrual of home leave at a rate of fifteen working days per year served abroad.
6. Paid round-trip transportation to a rest and recuperation area for employees and authorized dependents
who are assigned to designated hardship posts.
7. Educational allowance for dependents under certain circumstances.
8. Limited coverage for emergency medical expenses of employees and authorized
dependents.
Other Information:
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil
service.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE:
1. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.
2. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of
appointment. In accordance with Agency regulation, all career candidates must be
appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month in which they reach age 59.
3. Applicants must submit to and receive a negative drug test
result before being appointed to the position.
4. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be
registered under the Military Selective Service Act.
5. Applicants must be willing to travel to a variety of overseas
posts, some of which are classified as hardship posts.
6. Applicants must meet medical fitness standards which are more
rigorous than those of most other professions. They must pass a thorough pre-employment
medical examination, which for some applicants may include a cardiovascular stress test.
7. Applicants must undergo a thorough background investigation to
determine eligibility for a "TOP SECRET" security clearance, as well as suitability for
appointment into the Foreign Service.
8. Applicants must be capable of attaining a certain level of
foreign language proficiency. This can be demonstrated by either language aptitude scores
or evidence of existing proficiency in a foreign language.
9. Applicants must be available for and willing to accept
assignments throughout the world, including assignments to Washington, D.C. They must also
be willing to travel frequently on short notice. In cases where both husband and wife are
foreign affairs agency employees, both are expected to be willing to accept assignments to
a post other than that of the tandem spouse in order to meet the needs of the Service.
APPOINTMENT:
In order to be eligible to receive a conditional offer of employment, applicants must have
successfully completed the application assessment stages and have been placed on a rank-ordered
list of eligible candidates. A final offer of employment is contingent upon the candidate
successfully completing the medical, security, and suitability stages. Candidates who are
offered employment are given probationary appointments as Foreign Service career candidates
for a period not to exceed five years.
A. Medical Clearance:
Foreign Service pre-employment hiring policy requires that candidates be medically cleared
for worldwide assignment according to the needs of the Service. Family members are not
required to obtain medical clearances prior to a candidate's entry on duty. However,
family members must be medically cleared before they can travel at U.S. Government
expense to the assigned overseas post. Family members who, for medical reasons, are
unable to accompany the employee on an overseas assignment, may be eligible for a separate
maintenance allowance. Medical examinations may be performed by a family doctor, in which
case USAID will reimburse the candidate. Alternatively, the examination may be conducted
at the Agency's medical facility in Washington, D.C.
B. Background Investigation:
Eligible candidates will be asked to submit forms required for a security clearance and
suitability determination for appointment to the Foreign Service. The clearance process
considers such factors as registration for the Selective Service, failure to repay a U.S.
Government-guaranteed student loan, past problems with credit or bankruptcy, failure to
meet tax obligations, unsatisfactory employment records, violations of the law, drug or
alcohol abuse, or a less then honorable discharge from the armed forces. Investigations,
which usually take several months, include current and previous contacts, supervisors
and co-workers. These investigations are conducted by OIG Security personnel in cooperation
with other federal, state and local agencies.
III. TENURE:
Foreign Service career candidates will be considered for tenure by a Tenuring Board after
they have acquired a minimum of two years' overseas experience in the Service. Each career
candidate is afforded two opportunities to receive tenure based on the Board's review of the
employee's written performance evaluations which are prepared by a supervisor at least once
a year. A career candidate who fails to perform satisfactorily may be separated at any
time during their probationary period. Any employee who remains untenured after two
reviews will be separated from the Agency at the end of the five-year probationary appointment.
The appointment status of a career candidate who receives tenure will be changed from
probationary to career.
The sole criteria for a positive tenure recommendation shall be the candidate's demonstrated
potential, assuming normal growth and career development, to serve effectively as an FS
officer over a normal career span, with potential for promotion to class FS-1. Serving
effectively as an FS officer with USAID requires demonstrated knowledge and abilities in four
broad skill sets, which includes technical and analytical skills (development
assistance knowledge; information gathering, analysis, and problem solving; and written
communication skills); resource management skills (managing human resources,
reliability, and planning use of financial resources); teamwork and professionalism skills
(cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity, adaptability and flexibility; and communication);
and leadership skills (direction and vision, motivation, and professional development).
FOREIGN SERVICE AUDITOR CAREER:
Foreign Service employees will first be stationed in Washington, DC. Each year, employees
will be given the opportunity to bid for available positions overseas. The OIG will try to
accommodate employees' personal preferences, however, program needs of the OIG, individual
career development needs, and the need for assignment continuity will also be determining
factors in making assignments overseas.
Salaries within the starting ranges for new employees will be determined at the time of a
permanent offer of employment. The entry level salary for Federal Civil Service candidates
appointed to the Foreign Service without a break in service will be at the rate, within the
Foreign Service grade to which they are appointed, that is nearest to the base salary rate
of their previous grade.
Performance is evaluated in writing annually by a supervisor. After one year in grade,
the auditor is eligible to compete annually for promotion with other auditors at the same grade.
Due to the limited number of yearly promotions available, panels select candidates based on
published criteria and quality performance. In general, persons with good performance will
receive a within-grade increase annually up through step 10 and biennially from step 10
through step 14 if they have not received an equivalent increase during that period.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is a participant of E-verify.
E-verify provides an automated link to Federal database to help employers determine
employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their social security numbers.
How To Apply:
Mail your applications so it will be postmarked by closing date and received within
five (5) working days of that date. If hand delivered, be sure your application is
received by closing date.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure that his/her application
is complete. The personnel office will not be responsible for soliciting additional
information from applicants. Candidates who fail to submit all of the foregoing documents
cannot be evaluated for further consideration.
1. Please submit one of the following:
A. Resume OR OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment,
which can be obtained at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of612.pdf
which contains the following information:
Vacancy announcement number; title and grade(s) of the job for which they are applying;
Full name, social security number, day and evening phone numbers, mailing address, country of
citizenship. If applicable, reinstatement eligibility to Federal service and highest Federal civilian
grade ever held on a permanent basis.
Name, city and state of high school and colleges/universities attended with date(s) of diploma.
For college include major and type and date of degree(s).
Job titles, salaries, employer's name and addresses, supervisor's name and phone number
(indicate if we may contact your current and former supervisors), starting and ending dates, hours
per week and any unpaid or non-paid work experience that relates to this vacancy.
Job-related training courses, special skills, certificates and licenses, honors, awards
and publications.
2. All applicants must submit an OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment Form. This form may be
downloaded from the OPM website at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf.
3. A two-to-three page, typed (double-spaced) narrative autobiography which
discusses your: (1) personal background; (2) personal interests, hobbies and travel; (3) professional
experience which was not included in the employment application; and (4) motivation for applying for
a Foreign Service Auditor career.
4. If a particular level of education/certification is required or you are asking us to qualify you based on
education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript. Credit for college education will be given if it was obtained through an
accredited university.
5. Status candidates and reinstatement eligibles (current or former government employees) must provide a
copy of the last or most recent SF-50, 'Notice of Personnel Action' which indicates proof of competitive status (reflecting career,
career-conditional or reinstatement eligibility.
6. Candidates eligible for other non-competitive appointments must present appropriate documentation
reflecting their eligibility.
7. All current Federal employees should provide a copy of their current performance appraisal (must be
within 18 months from the closing date of the announcement).
8. If you are a federal employee seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof you meet
the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330-704 for ICTAP. In addition to your application/resume, you must
include a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating and a copy of your most recent SF-50 noting
current position, grade level, and duty location. You must clearly annotate your application package to reflect that you are
applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
9. Applications mailed using government postage or through an internal federal government mail
system will not be considered.
10. Handicapped applicants, disabled veterans, and VRA's or any others eligible for a noncompetitive
appointment under special appointing authorities must clearly specify this eligibility on their application and attach
documentation.
11. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans'
preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans'
preference, you must attach an SF-15, 'Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference' plus the proof required by that form.
12. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the
Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible
for appointment.
Contact Information:
Keyonna Washington
Phone: (202)712-4189
Fax: (202)216-3392
Email: recruitmentoig@usaid.gov
Or write:
U.S. Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Room 8.07A
Washington, DC 20523-8700
US
Fax: (202)216-3392
What To Expect Next:
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking.
The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview,
every 30-45 days until the closing date of the announcement
EEO Policy Statement
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization,
or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants
requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency
directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans Information
Please Note:
Veterans' preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service, and may not apply to other excepted
service appointing authorities. If you have questions about the applicability of veterans' preference for a particular
vacancy please contact the agency posting the announcement.
Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions may
be eligible for veterans' preference. For service beginning after
October 15, 1976, the veteran must have served the required length of time and have a Campaign Badge, Expeditionary
Medal, a service-connected disability, or have served in the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and January 2, 1992.
The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) gives veterans access to
job vacancies that might otherwise be closed to them. The law allows eligible veterans to compete for vacancies advertised
under agency's promotion procedures when the agency is seeking applications from outside of its own workforce.
To claim veterans' preference, veterans should be ready to provide a copy of their DD-214, Certificate of Release or
Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof. Veterans with service connected disability and others claiming 10 point preference
will need to submit Form SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference.
For more specifics on all veterans employment issues such as Veterans preference or special appointing authorities see
the VetGuide.
Legal and Regulatory Guidance
Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive
Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law
or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks,
and others who may know you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials, will result in
your application not being processed
Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine
qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the
information in your application.
False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be
hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
Selective Service - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that
you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
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