DHS Attache to Mexico

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Secretary, Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), Office of International Affairs (OIA), in the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico. PLCY provides policy development and coordination, strategy, planning and analysis to the DHS Secretary and other Departmental leaders to facilitate decision making and other critical matters that arise in a dynamic homeland security environment. There is no educational requirement for this position. The DHS Attaché to Mexico works in full cooperation with the U.S. Ambassador, other senior Embassy officials, and counterparts from the Government of Mexico (GOM) and provides on-site representation and expert and authoritative advice on all aspects of policies and programs that relate to the complete range of the Department of Homeland Security’s mission-the prevention and deterrence of terrorist attacks on the United States, smart and tough enforcement of existing laws, the maintenance of safe and secure borders, and the efficient and secure flow of commerce-and represents the Secretary’s priorities to the Embassy.

As a member of the Embassy’s “country team,” the DHS Attaché to Mexico works closely with and advises the U.S. Ambassador and mission staff on new and potentially adverse information pertaining to U.S. national and economic security interests; and will be the official liaison/point of contact for DHS and the Embassy on all DHS-related matters.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Serves as the representative of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to the Government of Mexico and within the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates in Mexico.
• Under Chief of Mission authority, advises the Ambassador and the U.S. Mission to Mexico on homeland security issues, which includes making recommendations on policy and operational issues affecting homeland security, including preventing terrorist attacks, narcotics trafficking, alien smuggling and trafficking, and other threats.
• Initiates professional relationships and works closely with mission representatives from other U.S. Government agencies on issues of mutual concern.
• Works closely with DHS component counterparts at Post and is responsible for the coordination and oversight of all DHS activities in-country.
• Promotes DHS objectives and proposals, including developing and completing information sharing agreements, growing and deepening consensus on homeland security related efforts, expanding cooperation and collaboration, organizing and/or coordinating DHS participation in meetings and conferences, and leading and/or coordinating DHS participation in negotiations with the GOM in areas affecting DHS mission and responsibilities.
• Reports to the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, through the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs (Western Hemisphere) and in coordination with OIA’s regional teams in Washington, DC, any information derived from host government interaction which may be of interest.
• Identifies issues of concern to DHS. Makes recommendations and develops background material for use in briefings for the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, and other senior DHS officials. Assists and, as necessary, accompanies senior DHS officials on visits to Mexico.
• Serves as principal advisor and a key decision-maker for the Department regarding DHS engagement with Mexico, especially in situations involving multiple DHS components including on issues relating to policy as well as operational planning and implementation.
• Leads and coordinates the provision of assistance from DHS, including training, technical assistance, and expert advice, to GOM as Mexico enhances its law enforcement and customs/immigration management institutions.
• Assists in establishing coordinated operations among Mexican and U.S. counterparts, which involves criminal investigation, and interdiction activities, and information sharing programs.
• Organizes and coordinates DHS participation, including developing recommendations and proposals in U.S. foreign assistance programs to the GOM, with border management strategies and techniques, and monitoring, tracking, and interdicting illicit border activity.
• Interacts with the GOM on behalf of DHS and works with appropriate officials throughout DHS to resolve issues/difficulties that arise in matters such as the investigation of immigration and customs violations (e.g., detention and removal operations, extradition issues, etc.), and that may arise from activities involving U.S. and Mexican interests.

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. As such, your resume should demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill responsibilities inherent in most SES positions such as:

• Directing the work of an organizational unit;
• Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects;
• Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance;
• Supervising the work of employees; and
• Exercising important policymaking, policy determining, or other executive functions.

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-BASED Method. The applicant must address the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) within their resume. Resumes must not exceed five (5) pages.

We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the position. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):
YOUR RESUME MUST CLEARLY DOCUMENT AND DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs) EVIDENCE WITHIN YOUR RESUME NOT TO EXCEED FIVE PAGES:

ECQ 1 – LEADING CHANGE. This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity & Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision.

ECQ 2 – LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building.

ECQ 3 – RESULTS DRIVEN. This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility.

ECQ 4 – BUSINESS ACUMEN. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management.

ECQ 5 – BUILDING COALITIONS. This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating.

Detailed information on each ECQ, the underlying and fundamental competencies, sample narratives and a tips sheet for writing effective ECQs are available in the “Guide To Senior Executive Service Qualifications” Senior Executive Service Executive Core Qualifications and Senior Executive Service Qualifications & Fundamental-Competencies.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (TQ)s:

IN ADDITON, YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your responses to the TQs should be embedded/addressed within your resume not to exceed five pages.

TQ 1. Demonstrated leadership engaging partner nations and institutions to improve international cooperation on homeland security matters, such as interagency coordination across the U.S. Departments of State, Homeland Security, Justice and Defense, as well as the National Security Council and the Intelligence Community; development of national strategies within Mexico or Central and/or South America that address counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, and counter-proliferation; exchange and control of intelligence and law enforcement sensitive information and development of protocols and control measures to protect that information; coordination of unilateral and bilateral action against threats to U.S. national security including the development and implementation of necessary vetting procedures for host nation implementing partners; coordination of unilateral and bilateral policy related to aviation security, border security, cybersecurity, or cargo security.

TQ 2. Demonstrated experience in Mexican or other Latin American governance, cultures, and institutions to develop relationships that affect the formulation and implementation of national and homeland security policy.

NOTE: Your demonstrated leadership ability and the evidence of the ECQs and TQs must be clearly shown in your resume. A separate narrative statement will not be accepted.

A sample 5-page resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 29 – 37) http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf.

YOU WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION IF YOU FAIL TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH MANDATORY EXECUTIVE CORE AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS AND IF YOUR RESUME EXCEEDS FIVE (5) PAGES.

Veteran’s Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employees in the Executive Branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee, please indicate this in your resume. Serving in a Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES appointment WILL NOT eliminate you from consideration.