International Relations Specialist (Africa) - Office of the Secretary of the Interior

Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/28/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified. Applicants must be able to read, speak, and write in one applicable local language, such as Swahili or Pulaar, in order to qualify. The position will require these foreign language skills in certain instances, particularly when working in these countries. The position will also occasionally require drafting briefing materials or otherwise representing the office's work in one of these languages. Work will include communication with counterparts from foreign governments or other organizations in African countries. Familiarity with the cultural practices, language, and natural resource issues of the region will be critical for success. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following: A. 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. You must submit transcripts. -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in one or more of the social sciences, or in the humanities, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -OR- C. 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 -AND- To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Communicating effectively and working in at least one foreign language of the region, for example Swahili or Pulaar. Providing on-the-ground technical, policy, or natural resource support in sub-Saharan African countries relevant to DOI equities (e.g., Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC, or Kenya). Managing international technical cooperation projects focused on water, mineral, or other natural resource-based topics, including commercial opportunities, in Africa. Communicating amongst technical experts, non-government organizations, and non-expert government representatives on natural and cultural resource issues of mutual interest within DOI's mission areas (e.g. water, geospatial, natural resource, and cultural heritage issues). Independently overseeing the planning and logistics for international technical exchanges, workshops and/or field activities with foreign partners, technical specialists, and government representatives, providing remote and on-the-ground coordination as needed You must include hours per week worked. Volunteer Experience: 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. Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Strategic Planning: Contribute to development of short- an