National Security Policy Analyst

SAIC - Arlington, VA

Full-time - Entry Level

Arlington, VA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

SAIC is hiring a National Security Policy Analyst to support the Organizational Management and Policy Directorate (O&MP) in the Office of the DoD Performance Improvement Officer / Director, Administration and Management (PIO/DA&M) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). This position is critical in providing robust policy analysis on a wide range of defense-related organizational topics. The ideal candidate will possess a demonstrated ability to research, organize, write, and edit staff packages effectively. A thorough understanding of the responsibilities, functions, and operations of DoD organizations is essential, along with the ability to communicate and collaborate with senior executives across the DoD. The role demands superior verbal and written communication skills at the highest levels of government and the capacity to thrive in fast-paced environments with evolving directives. The National Security Policy Analyst will support a portfolio of major departmental activities that assess strategic initiatives and documents, implement organizational adjustments, and institutionalize DoD organizations and management reforms. This position is located in Arlington, VA, at the Pentagon, and involves presenting information and serving as the primary author for official written documents, including DoD issuances, memos, and papers, in accordance with the DoD Manual for Written Correspondence. The analyst will utilize broad experience and technical knowledge to propose solutions to complex DoD organizational problems and conduct high-level integrated analyses of various complex factors. Additionally, the analyst will interact and build relationships with various DoD components to gather information on the status of strategic initiatives, compile and analyze data, author technical papers, support briefings and task development, and prepare reports for senior leadership. The role also includes assisting in preparing briefing materials for senior leadership on organizational matters, synthesizing and summarizing complex information for decision-making, and conducting ad-hoc research and analysis of mission-related issues.

Responsibilities

• Presenting information and serving as the primary author for official written documents (DoD issuances, memos, papers, etc.) in accordance with the DoD Manual for Written Correspondence.
• Using broad experience and technical knowledge to propose solutions to complex DoD organizational problems.
• Conducting high level integrated analysis of a very broad range of complex factors, including accurate assessments of the institutional environment in which policy alternatives will be considered, selected, and implemented into the decision-making process.
• Interacting and building relationships with various DoD Components to gather information on the status of strategic initiatives; compiling and analyzing data; authoring of technical papers; supporting briefings and task development; and preparing reports for senior leadership.
• Assisting with preparing briefing material for senior leadership on organizational matters.
• Synthesizing and summarizing complex information for senior leader decision making.
• Conducting ad-hoc research and analyzing mission-related issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, National Security Affairs, International Relations, International Economics, or a related field and ten (10) years or more of related experience; Master's degree and eight (8) years or more experience; PhD or equivalent terminal degree and five (5) years related experience.
• Thorough understanding of DoD and OSD objectives coupled with well-developed interpersonal skills sufficient to craft and successfully negotiate consensus positions for highly controversial and contentious issues.
• Familiarity with DoD/OSD organization, strategy, policies, and decision-making because of previous government, military and/or private sector assignments.
• Familiarity with the DoD Manual for Written Correspondence and the DoD staff coordination process or the equivalent written and staffing skills from other national security related agencies.
• The ability to work in fluid environments with evolving direction.
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of data and identify common threads and connections.
• Ability to produce high quality analysis with limited oversight from senior management.
• The ability to turn complex information into succinct analysis for senior leader decision-making and policy development.
• Excellent research skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of Applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and common office software applications.
• Background and training or experience in the application of various knowledge management and collaborative tools including the use of MS SharePoint.