The Week That Will Be

Event Announcements (More details on the Events Calendar)

Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 10:00 a.m.: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace will host a conversation with Randall Schriver, the assistant defense secretary for Asian and Pacific security affairs, on “The U.S.-India 2+2.” Ashley Tellis will join Schriver in conversation. Register to attend or watch the event live.

Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 12:00 p.m.: The Hudson Institute will host a panel discussion on “Syria: Obstacles to Reconstruction and Stability.” Discussants will include Michael Pregent, Bassam Barabandi, Charles Lister, Matthew R.J. Brodsky, and Randa Slim. Register to attend.

Thursday, Aug. 30 at 10:00 a.m.: The Stimson Center will host Ping-kuei Chen for a discussion about “Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy: Signaling Foreign Policy Restraint.” Brian Eyler will join Chen in discussion; Yuki Tatsumi will moderate. RSVP to attend or watch the event live.

Employment Announcements (More details on the Job Board)

The following are job announcements of potential interest to Lawfare readers. If you have an announcement to add to the page, email us.

Attorney, Central Intelligence Agency

The Central Intelligence Agency is seeking highly qualified candidates to join CIA’s Office of General Counsel. We are actively recruiting exceptional attorneys with a wide variety of backgrounds and experience levels. We seek attorneys with experience in areas including government contracts, technology and cyber-related law, national security law, employment, ethics, privacy, litigation, and federal appropriations law, among others. Prior national security experience is welcome but not required. If this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please visit our website for additional information and application instructions.

GW Congressional Nuclear Security Fellowship

About the NSWG: The NSWG works behind-the-scenes to promote bipartisan consensus on nuclear issues and provide policymakers and the NGO community with the expertise it needs to make informed decisions on issues ranging from U.S.-Russia nuclear cooperation to Iran’s nuclear program. The NSWG’s leadership is comprised of foreign policy experts from the Executive and Legislative branches of government, as well as active and retired military officials and leading scholars in the field of nuclear security.

Website: http://nuclearsecurityworkinggroup.org/

Overview

The Congressional Nuclear Security Fellowship provides highly qualified up-and-coming national security professionals with an opportunity to spend a year in the Congress working to promote bipartisan dialogue on nuclear issues.

Responsibilities

Nuclear Security Fellows serve full-time in a House or Senate office, typically joining at the start of the legislative session. Fellows are treated as a member of the staff and are assigned responsibilities and duties based on the needs of the office. Typical Fellow responsibilities include preparing senior staff and Members/Senators for hearings, meetings, and briefings; advising office staff on a range of national security issues, including nuclear issues; answering constituent inquiries; and contributing to the legislative and policy priorities of their Members/Senators, under the direction of senior office staffers.

Fellows are also expected to encourage greater bipartisan discourse on nuclear issues by organizing briefings and events on timely nuclear policy issues, engaging their colleagues from both sides of the aisle and deepening their professional relationships with the Nuclear Security Working Group and the broader policy community.

Eligibility

• Fellows are selected through a competitive process on the basis of their professional experience, interpersonal and communications skills, specialized knowledge and professional references.
• While Fellows do not need extensive experience in nuclear policy, qualified applicants will have a strong record of professional achievement in national security roles in government, the military, academia or the private sector.
• Ideal candidates will also have an advanced degree in a relevant field, including international affairs, economics, defense planning, military operations or an area of the physical sciences with policy relevance.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time the Fellowship begins.
• If applicants apply while enrolled in an academic program, they must have completed their studies by the time the fellowship begins.
• Applicants may not be concurrent employees of the Federal government or Federal contractors at the time the fellowship begins.

Fellowship Award

Fellows are awarded a stipend of up to $85,000, based on past experience. Fellows also receive an annual travel allowance to facilitate travel to professional meetings and their Member’s district or state. Fellows receive their stipends as independent contractors, are not eligible for benefits and are not considered employees of the George Washington University or the Congress.

Timeline

• The 2019 fellowship application opens in June
• Applications are due August 31, 2018
• Multiple interviews are conducted through November
• Hosting offices make selections in late November/early December
• Fellows begin placements in January

Application and Placement Process

• Interested candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can apply online
• The application consists of
  • A complete application questionnaire
  • A resume
  • A one-page statement of interest
  • A letter of recommendation from a colleague with first-hand knowledge of the individual’s professional experience and qualifications
  • (Please note, the application asks applicants to submit information for three professional references, one of whom may also contribute a letter.)
• NSWG staff conduct initial interviews to assess an applicant’s fit and qualifications.
• Hosting offices interview finalists and extend offers.
• Individuals who accept a fellowship must agree to serve for a full year.
• Direct all application materials to nswg@email.gwu.edu

Task Force on Extremism in Fragile States, U.S. Institute of Peace

The United States Institute of Peace has been charged by Congress with developing a “comprehensive plan to prevent the underlying causes of extremism in fragile states in the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Near East.” To fulfill this mandate, the USIP has convened the Task Force on Extremism in Fragile States, co-chaired by Gov. Tom Kean and Rep. Hamilton and including, among others, Sec. Madeleine Albright, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Amb. Bill Burns, and Steve Hadley.

USIP is seeking experts in terrorism, extremism, state fragility, and/or U.S. policies dealing with these issues in the relevant areas to conduct research and draft briefing documents in support of the Task Force’s final report. In particular, the Task Force seeks experts who can help produce research papers dealing with three main topics: the presence, strategy, and future evolution of extremist presence in the designated regions; the root causes and drivers of extremism, particularly in fragile states, and their relation to fragility; USG policy and programs relating to countering extremism or providing stabilization assistance in the target countries. The ideal candidates will have a proven ability to conduct and publish original policy analysis on terrorism, extremism, and/or state fragility and will have significant knowledge of related topics, including U.S. national security strategy, conflict prevention, and global development strategy and policy.

The work of the Task Force will run from May through December 2018. Short-term, part, and full-time positions will be considered for qualified candidates. For more information, contact the Task Force’s Executive Director, Blaise Misztal: bmisztal@usip.org.

Associate General Counsel, Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Summary

Position Information

This is an opportunity for:

• An internal or external candidate to fill a GS-15 cadre position.
• A Federal Government employee to serve on a two-year reimbursable detail assignment in the ODNI. The detail assignment may be extended an additional year if all parties agree.

Who May Apply

Current GS employees at the same grade or one grade lower than the advertised position grade may apply.

Former members of the Peace Corps may be considered for ODNI employment only if five full years have elapsed since separation from the Peace Corps.

• For a cadre assignment:
  • Current ODNI permanent cadre.
  • Current ODNI Staff Reserve Employees. (A staff reserve employee who currently occupies this position may not apply.)
  • Current Federal Government employees. (Current GS employees at the same grade or one grade lower than the advertised position grade may apply. )
  • Candidates outside the Federal Government.
• For a detailee assignment:
  • Current Federal Government employees. (Current GS employees at the same grade or one grade lower than the advertised position grade may apply. )

Salary Determination

• The ODNI uses a rank-in-person system in which rank is attached to the individual. A selected ODNI candidate or other Federal Government candidate will be assigned to the position at the employee's current GS grade and salary.
• For a selected non-Federal Government candidate, salary will be established within the salary range listed above, based on education and experience.
• A current Federal Government employee, selected for a detail, will be assigned to the position at his or her current grade and salary.

Component Mission

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) provides legal advice and counsel to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and other ODNI officials on a wide range of legal issues to include intelligence and national security law; procurement and acquisition law; personnel law; government ethics, budget, and fiscal law; general administrative law; legislative support; government information practices (Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act); and intellectual property law.

Responsibilities

Major Duties and Responsibilities (MDRs)

• THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL SEEKS ATTORNEYS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
• Acquisitions and Appropriations: Applicants should have in-depth knowledge and experience with both federal budget and execution and research and development programs. Preferred qualifications include a demonstrated expertise in the following areas: (a) National Intelligence Program budget and execution; (b) general acquisition and procurement law and policy, including major system acquisitions, source selections, and contract disputes and (c) intellectual property law, including patents, copyright and trademarks.
• Employment Law: Applicants should have demonstrated experience providing expert legal advice on EEO matters, human resources issues, and general employment related matters. Preferred qualifications include demonstrated experience appearing in litigation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on matters arising under federal statutes, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other laws administered by the EEOC; including preparing pleadings, conducting and defending depositions, engaging in discovery, and representing the agency in court proceedings.
• Please Note:
• Attorneys in ODNI OGC rotate portfolios on a regular basis to provide legal support and guidance on unique and complex issues. Accordingly, attorneys are expected to provide expert legal counsel, advice and support across a wide range of legal issues, to include intelligence and national security law, FISA, litigation, privacy and civil liberties, international law, procurement and acquisition law, personnel law, government ethics, appropriations and fiscal law, administrative law, legislative issues, government information practices (Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act), and intellectual property. To that end, ODNI OGC is looking for attorneys who are well-rounded, have broad legal experience, and with an interest in a wide array of practice areas relevant to the intelligence community. Potentially one or more candidates will be selected from this advertisement.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Provide expert legal advice and guidance to senior Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) leadership on complex areas of law affecting ODNI's duties and responsibilities under the National Security Act, Presidential directives, Executive Orders, and other related laws and policies.
• Provide expert legal counsel to support the development, review, and preparation of United States (US) Government-wide and IC-wide policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, and standards.
• Counsel clients, including senior ODNI leaders, on complex legal issues and provide innovative and highly effective guidance on possible courses of action; expertly prepare complex, high profile, and persuasive legal documents on complex legal issues for a variety of internal and external recipients.
• Expertly conduct or direct legal research and analysis on extremely complex or sensitive legal issues as well as on laws, regulations, and policies that have a significant impact on ODNI and IC interests and brief ODNI leadership on issues and findings.
• Provide timely reviews of planned ODNI and IC activities for compliance with the Constitution and laws of the US, Executive Orders, and other applicable regulations and policies affecting ODNI and the IC and brief ODNI leaders on potential legal and policy issues, and develop solutions to address difficult legal problems having potential high-level or large-scale impact on the ODNI's or the IC missions or activities.
• Expertly analyze statutes, bills, reports, and Congressional materials, as well as proposed Executive Branch orders, directives, regulations, and policies, to determine their effect on the ODNI and the IC; provide expert advice and counsel to senior management on legislative proposals, Congressional testimony, and related documents.
• Provide expert briefings and advocate for ODNI and IC views on particular matters to Executive Branch entities, Congress, and private sector entities; cogently brief senior ODNI leaders on legal issues that relate to or effect ODNI and IC activities.
• Maintain productive working relationships with ODNI elements, IC colleagues, executive agencies, congressional personnel and members, congressional committees, and use these relationships to advocate ODNI and IC positions, support a continuing dialog, and provide insight into ongoing and planned ODNI and IC activities.

Qualifications

Mandatory and Educational Requirements

• Superior multi-disciplinary legal skills and experience dealing with complex legal issues, as well as an expert ability to interpret laws, regulations, judicial decisions, Executive Orders, and statutes involving complex concepts and issues.
• Superior research abilities, including the ability to quickly integrate and synthesize the facts and law to make legally sound decisions, and recommendations pertaining to the most complex situations, or in the context of ambiguous or ill-defined situations.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex legal problems, to think creatively to solve complex and novel legal issues, and to gain consensus among disparate organizations on legal and national security issues of common concern.
• Superior ability to routinely communicate, orally and in writing, the most complex concepts and issues in a manner well matched to the audience being addressed, and to consistently make sound, timely decisions in complex, ambiguous or ill-defined situations.
• Superior interpersonal, organizational, and problem solving skills, including the ability to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative environment and superior creative problem solving skills.
• Expert legal knowledge obtained through the completion of a Doctorate of Jurisprudence or Bachelor of Laws degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school, and active membership of the Bar of the highest court of a US State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

The ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: The ODNI provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities. IF YOU NEED A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Intelligence Community Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Office Representative by classified email at DNI-EEOD-RA-ACF@exchange.cia.ic.gov, by unclassified email at DNI-EEOD@dni.gov, by telephone at 703-874-8360, by TTY at 703-874-8554, or by FAX at 703-874-8651. Your request for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE EEOD EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS EMAIL IS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION VIA THE EMAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED IN THE 'HOW TO APPLY' SECTION BELOW.

JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL: Candidates from outside the Washington, D.C., area may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview. If selected for an in-person interview, the ODNI hiring office will pay for travel by commercial carrier (economy class) or reimburse for privately owned vehicle (POV) mileage. If applicable, the candidate also will be reimbursed at a flat rate for commercial lodging and per diem.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the position description and required KSAs and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. The description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the work performed. Applicants will also be evaluated on their narrative responses to the KSAs. The best qualified applicants will be further evaluated through an interview process.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance

Top Secret/SCI

Required Documents

All Applicants:

APPLICATION PACKAGES MUST CONTAIN ALL ITEMS LISTED ABOVE. AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE WILL BE INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

Your application MUST be received by midnight on the closing date of this announcement. Applications received after the closing date will NOT be eligible for consideration. To verify receipt of your application package ONLY, you may call or email at Phone: 703-275-3799; Email: Recruitment_TeamA@dni.gov.

​Cybersecurity and National Security Policy Advisor, Third Way

Title: Policy Advisor

Report to: National Security Program Director

Location: Washington, D.C.

About Third Way: Third Way is a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas. Our agenda is built on the bedrock belief that for political movements to succeed in our political system, they must relentlessly reimagine their policies, strategies, and coalitions. We are fighting for opportunity, so everyone has the chance to earn a good life; progress on social issues, so all have the freedom to live the lives they choose; and security, so we are protected from the global threats of the 21st century.

About the Position: Third Way is seeking a Policy Advisor for the National Security Program to analyze cyber security and national security issues and make policy recommendations. Reporting to the Program Director, this position is part of Third Way’s National Security team. Primary responsibilities include researching, developing and writing policy and message documents on major national security issues before Congress and the Administration with a particular focus in cyber security, national security law, and international treaties and organizations. The policy advisor also represents Third Way at external meetings with policymakers and advocacy organizations. A detailed knowledge of national security issues, very strong research and writing skills, good sense of humor and the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment are required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and draft policy products
• Conduct in-depth research and distill complex issues into succinct and accessible formats, such as policy memos, idea briefs and opinion pieces.
• Draft memos, talking points, Q&A documents, prepare infographics and other presentation and briefing materials on National Security Program products.
• Monitor and analyze current events and developments on national security issues.
• Research and analyze legislative debates and political developments on such topics as cybersecurity, privacy & surveillance, international technology policy and international agreements.
• Monitor online databases, traditional and social media outlets, and reports from government, academia, and advocacy communities to stay abreast of relevant developments.
• Represent Third Way and work closely with Congress, the administration, advocacy organizations and other progressive leaders on national security issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, graduate or law degree preferred but not required.
• A minimum of two years of congressional, federal, journalism, advocacy or other relevant experience.
• Demonstrated strength in clear, concise, and persuasive writing especially op-eds and/or policy memos.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Congressional processes and foreign policy tools.
• Work experience in a team environment with minimal supervision, demonstrating an ability to prioritize and take appropriate action.
• Exercise diplomacy in communications with external contacts and staff.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects within specified time frames and multi-task various assignments.
• Discretion handling confidential information.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer and MS Office Suite skills.
• Ability to solve problems creatively.

Skills, Traits, and Beliefs:

• Self-starting: Third Way seeks people who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.
• Collaborative: Third Way works in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.
• Creative: Third Way fosters divergent thinking that isn’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.
• Results-oriented: Third Way functions with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.

Unpaid Law Student Volunteer, Appellate Staff of the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice

Title: Law Student Volunteer

Division: Appellate Staff of the Civil Division

Term: Academic year

Weeks/Hours: Full- or part-time. At a minimum, interns must work at least 20 hours per week for at least 10 weeks.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Job Description: Interns typically perform legal research, write memoranda, and prepare initial drafts of appellate briefs. In addition to case law and treatise research, assignments often entail searching legislative history to aid in statutory interpretation issues. Interns also participate as judges in moot courts with staff attorneys and are encouraged to attend oral arguments in the District of Columbia and Federal Circuits.

Qualifications: Candidates must be current law students who will have completed at least one year of law school by the start of the internship. Candidates must have excellent writing skills and high academic standing. Candidates must also be U.S. citizens or nationals, must have resided at least three of the past five years in the United States, and must successfully complete a background investigation.

Salary: Academic or work-study credit possible. Transit subsidies are available.

Travel: N/A

Application Process: All applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and law school transcript (unofficial versions accepted). Applicants who are currently 1Ls are also required to submit an undergraduate transcript (unofficial versions accepted). An undergraduate transcript is optional for 2L and 3L applicants. Applications should be sent by email to Sonia Carson, Melissa Patterson, and Ben Shultz at civapp.internjobs@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).

Application Deadline: Applications for fall- or spring-semester positions are accepted on a rolling basis, and positions are typically filled several months in advance. For the fall semester, applicants are encouraged to apply by April 1; for the spring semester, applicants are encouraged to apply by October 15. Please indicate the semester for which you are applying in the subject line of your email.

Relocation Expenses: N/A

Number of Positions: 3 to 5 per semester