Analyst Foreign Affairs

This position is located in the Congressional Research Service (CRS), in the Middle East and Africa Section of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division (FDT).

The position description number for this position is 421679.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance.

Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

The Middle East and Africa Section (ME) of FDT covers the Middle East and Africa – to include Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and North Africa – and U.S. bilateral political, security, and economic relations in the region and multilateral affairs. The ideal candidate will have formal education, training, and/or experience conducting research on Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and security issues. The ideal candidate is expected to possess and enhance over time the skills necessary to provide legislative analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff through increasingly sophisticated levels. The analyst may support research undertaken throughout CRS.

CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS is a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill.

CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation’s best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.

CRS is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that ensures the Service is well positioned to anticipate and meet the information and analytical research needs of a 21st-century Congress.

Prepares a variety of analytical, descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and written materials on subjects or public policy issues within the employee’s designated areas of responsibility to support congressional decision-making.

Through personal consultation, assists committees, Members, and staff with consideration of legislative issues by providing information and analysis, and applying professional subject-area knowledge.

Participates in CRS seminars, workshops, and/or outreach programs for committees, Members, and staff. Locates and provides information requested by Members and committees of Congress or their staff.

Applicants should have experience conducting sophisticated analysis of Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and security issues; knowledge of the U.S. legislative branch and its operations; and the ability to work as part of a collaborative team. The work can require rapid response to emerging policy issues during active legislative processes. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with region, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and security issues, and the ability to apply such knowledge in a legislative context. Professional experience analyzing or implementing policy and legislation is preferred. Strong research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills are essential, and applicants with an advanced degree in regional studies, international relations, national security policy, history, economics, foreign languages, or similar disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.  Applicants with Farsi and/or Arabic language skills are encouraged to apply.

The analyst will prepare authoritative, objective, and nonpartisan analytical studies and descriptive and background reports and other products that analyze Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region; provide personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region throughout the legislative process; and participate in team research projects and seminars.

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

• Knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and security issues **
• Ability to analyze public policy issues**
• Ability to write in a public policy context**
• Ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations
• Ability to lead collaborative research tasks
• Ability to exercise objectivity in all phases of analysis and consultation
• Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing