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DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATION AGENCY |
8/9/2004 |
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MEMORANDUM FOR : SEE DISTRIBUTION SUBJECT : Implementation of Non-Military Departments (MILDEP) DoD International Affairs (IA) Certification Program (DSCA 04-29) I am pleased to implement the Non-MILDEP DoD IA Certification Program. The program, as enacted in the attached documentation particularly to the segment of the IA workforce positioned within DSCA and other DoD agencies. Each MILDEP has its own plan and all are reciprocally recognized. Most importantly, this program provides the methodology for systematically identifying personnel with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform IA duties effectively and efficiently. These KSAs apply to personnel in entry level, mid-management, and senior-leadership positions who perform IA duties under DSCA's purview. The program's specific courses or programs are appropriate for inclusion in employee Individual Development Plans (IDP) for all IA related disciplines. Additionally this package also provides guidelines for supervisors - a key responsibility in the process - for use of the program in related personnel activities. My overall point of contact for this program is Dr. Ron Reynolds, Commandant, DISAM, DSN 785-6538, commercial (937) 255-6538, Ronald.Reynolds@disam.dsca.mil. The DSCA HQ point of contact is Mr. David Rude, Deputy Director, DSCA/OPS-ADMIN. DSN 664-6569, commercial (703) 604-6569, david.rude@dsca.mil. Richard J. Millies ATTACHMENT : DISTRIBUTION :
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY CC :
DISAM |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
TABLES :
1.0 INTRODUCTION This document publishes the International Affairs Certification and Career Development Guidelines for Non-MILDEP DoD Personnel 1. Titles 10 and 22 of the U.S. Code define International Affairs (IA) program areas. Successful program execution under either section requires specific crosscutting, functional expertise. These areas include:
Specific national security activities that support these areas may include, but are not limited to, international programs; policy formulation and development; political/military analysis; weapons comparative analysis; country advocacy; international training programs; foreign disclosure determinations export license reviews and determinations; FMS; attaché affairs and Foreign Area and Security Assistance Officers. A variety of defense and national security organizations require personnel with specialized International Affairs expertise to successfully execute international affairs programs. Building on the November 7, 2001, Department of Defense International Affairs Certification Guidelines, this document provides the means of assuring certain levels or education, training, and experience in international affairs are achieved, through a recognized certification process. While certification is not required for employment, such certification of functional expertise can be a great aid to supervisors needing personnel with specialized skills to meet mission requirements. (See separate "Guidelines for Supervisors" document.) Therefore, personnel interested in advancing their careers in IA are encouraged to pursue professional development opportunities and receive recognition at the highest level of IA Certification tor which they are qualified. 1 MILDEP personnel performing IA duties within DoD should apply for certification through their MIDEP. 2.0 PURPOSE The certification implementation plan is for members of the IA workforce not employed by the Military Departments (MILDEPs). Each MILDEP has established certification programs and personnel working for those organizations are encouraged to contact their component for specifics on International Affairs Certification for MILDEP personnel. It is expected that practitioners within the International Affairs profession working for the Defense Agencies and various National Security organizations will find the information of certification and relater career development extremely helpful. As IA professionals advance through their careers and receive recognition through their participation in the certification process the government will benefit from their dedication and attention to their careers. Certification proves a means to recognize professional accomplishments and enables supervisors and program managers to employ the workforce commensurate with the demands of the IA Community. This document sets forth certification guidelines that provide a systematic methodology for identifying personnel with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform IS duties effectively and efficiently. These KSAs apply to the personnel in entry-level, mid-management, and senior-leadership positions who perform IA duties under DSCA's purview. The plan's specific course or programs are appropriate form inclusion in employee Individual Development Plans (IDP) for all IA related disciplines. 3.0 MULTI-TIERED CERTIFICATION Multi-tiered certification programs are the norm in career programs throughout DoD. These programs use training, education, and work experience to differentiate the certification levels. IA certification uses these same criteria. As noted in the introduction, certification is not used as a recruitment requirement, but it does assist management in the identification of individuals who possess competencies essential to successful performance. Table 1 is consistent with career path guidelines in Tables 3-7, Sections 6.1- 6.6; however, Civil Service grade or military rank is not a criterion for certification at any level Table 1 : International Affairs Certification Standards
4.0 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS The following general requirements mat be further refined within the grade-level guidelines contained later in this document. These general requirements are, however the minimum for the DSCA IA 'prime candidate population' to become certified at the respective level. 4.1 Level I Certification 4.1.1 Approved by the individual supervision and awarded by DISAM 4.1.2 Education (Desired); baccalaureate degree with a major appropriate to the career field. 4.1.3 Training:
4.1.4 Experience: 4.1.4.1 Required: One year in an assignment related to SA. 4.1.4.2 Desired: One additional year in a rotational assignment related to SA or an SA organization. 4.2 Level II Certification 4.2.1 Approved by the individual supervision and awarded by DISAM 4.2.2 Education (Desired):
4.2.3. Training:
4.2.4 Experience: 4.2.4.1 Required: Minimum 2 years total experience working with specialty in international affairs. 4.2.4.2 Desired: Additional 2 years working in any combination of rotational assignments, different responsibilities, or different organizations with IA responsibilities. 4.3 Level III Certification 4.3.1 Approved by DISAM Functional Council 4.3.2 Education (Desired); Master's degree with a relevant concentration for position held (such as GMAP II) 4.3.3 Training:
4.3.4 Experience: 4.3.4.1 Required: Four yeas' International Affairs experience, two of which have to be within the most recent three-year period. 4.3.4.2 Desired: Additional four years working in any combination of rotational assignments, different responsibilities, or different organization with IA responsibilities. 4.4 Continuing Education: 4.4.1 The purpose of this requirement is to encourage personnel performing international affairs duties to stay current in their respective technical and functional specialties, and t gain general business management knowledge. 4.4.2 Continuing education for levels 1 and 2 consists of courses required to reach tej next highest level of certification, i.e., those needed to go from Level I to II and from II to III. (See the appropriate tables for specific requirements.) 4.4.3 For those individuals certified at Level III, the courses are not as clearly defined. Level III personnel, in order to maintain their certifications, must complete a specific number of continuing education hours during each 2-year period. DISAM will publish the Level III continuing education requirements as an update to this plan, and will also be available on the DISAM website/Professional Development page. 2 Examples of qualitative and quantitative subject matter are contained in paragraph 7.0 Ancillary Issues. 5.0 DOD IA CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR NON-MILDEP PERSONNEL This process is established to proved those who are not attached to a MILDEP but are working in an International Affairs position under the cognizance of DSCA within an agency (i.e., DFAS, DLS, DCMA, etc) the opportunity to become a certified IA professional. 5.1. Position Identification 5.1.1 The implementing agencies identify International Affairs' (IA) positions, and these personnel serving in them, in order to optimize agency IA capabilities. The defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM) will document certification of these individuals, and track them by level of certification. 5.2. DSCA Certifications 5.2.1 Each organization is responsible for developing its own implementation plan DISAM, as the DSCA Executive Agent for this program, in conjunction with the submitting organization, will review all implementation plans to ensure compatibility among the services/agencies. Agencies, which feel their target population is insufficient for developing their own agency plan, may utilize the procedures in this plan for certification of their personnel. Ata a minimum, these plans will address:
5.3 Authority to Certify 5.3.1 The applicable defense agency or component will accomplish its own certification reviews for Levels I, II, and III. DISAM will approve and issue certificates based on the recommendations of the agencies other than those covered by the MILDEPs. 5.3.2 NOTE: Defense organizations are encouraged to employ current personnel tracking systems to the maximum extent practicable for administering their IA workforce, including certifications. 5.4 Applying for Certification 5.4.1 Individuals are responsible for meeting all requirements of the certification level for which they are applying. (See paragraph 4.0.) The individual's immediate supervisor must validate the information through review of personnel records or other available means. The individual will then complete the on line application form at http://www.personnelinitiatives.org/. A paper copy of the application form can be requested from:
DISAM/DR 5.4.2 DISAM/DR. as the DSCA Executive Agent for this program, will review the data, and upon concurrence. issue a certificate for the appropriate level. This data will also be maintained in the DSCA certification database. 5.4.3 Certifications for all personnel are awarded in accordance with the respective MILDEP/Agency certification procedures. These procedures can be found in each service or agency certification implementation plan. 5.4.4 Bach Defense Organization requesting certification for their employees will also provide the number of personnel eligible for certification (i.e. the number of IA related billets within the organization). 5.4.5 For levels (I, II, and III). all documentation is accomplished by the individual's organization and supervisory chain. For non-MILDEP Agencies, the resultant information is then forwarded to the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management, Director of Research (DISAM/DR), in the manner previously described, for maintenance in the appropriate database(s) and the award of the appropriate certification document. 6.0 CAREER DEVELOPMENT PATH GUIDELINES 6.1.1 The career path guidelines included here arc to help individuals and supervisors understand the relationship of the different certification levels and individuals' grades, 6.1.2 Certifications at these grades are not required; this is a voluntary program. We do believe, however, that meeting these requirements for certification at the suggested levels will help our IA workforce meet the challenges of today, and those on the horizon. Therefore, these suggested guidelines notwithstanding, all personnel are encouraged to become certified at the highest level for which they qualify. 6.2 GS-5/7/9 - Target Certification - Level(s) I and II Table 2: Career Development Path Guidelines: GS-5/7/9
6.3 GS-11 - Target Certification - Level(s) I and II Table 3: Career Development Path Guidelines: GS-11
6.4 GS-12 - Target Certification - Level(s) I and II and/or III Table 4: Career Development Path Guidelines: GS-12
6.5 GS-13 - Target Certification - Level(s) II and III Table 5: Career Development Path Guidelines: GS-13
6.6 GS-14 - Target Certification - Level(s) II and III Table 6: Career Development Path Guidelines: GS-14
6.6 GS-15 - Target Certification - Level III Table 6: Career Development Path Guidelines: GS-15
7.0 ANCILLARY ISSUES 7.1 Types of Training 7.1.1 Formal Training: DISAM, as the Executive Agent for DSCA regarding this matter, will review and approve funding. as available, to satisfy personnel training and educational needs for non-MILDEP DoD personnel on an IA billet within the FMS Admin Program Objective Memorandum Process. (PE20). The MILDEPs and DAs will program and budget for training of MILDEP/DA personnel in accordance with standard programming and budgeting processes. 7.1.1.1 Samples of Qualitative Subject Matter:
7.1.1.2 Samples of Quantitative Subject Matter:
7.1.2 Long-Term Training (LIT): Long-term training is defined as formal training or education that provides results in a certification or degree bestowment, or is an in-residence PME. Civilian nominees for LTT allocations should be processed and selected as appropriate and determined by the Defense Organizations utilizing their current in-place processes. Also, the nominations and budget process may vary for LIT. 7.2 Career Broadening Assignments 7.2.1 Each organization is responsible for identifying integral career broadening assignments to meet its professional development needs. The organization's host program will determine appropriate follow-on assignments, if any. The positions and exchanges listed below should be viewed as recommendations only, with each Defense Organization utilizing relevant titles and organizational exchange parity. 7.2.2 Potential International Affairs Positions:
7.3 Potential Qualifying Exchanges 7.3.1. An exchange is a temporary assignment at a location other than the employees reporting location. To qualify as a successful action, the employee must meet agreed-upon criteria. The length of this assignment may vary across defense organizations, and should be consistent with personnel standard operating procedures. The types of exchanges that are available include:
7.4 Tuition Assistance 7.4.1. Certification requires funding fur training and education commensurate with goals and objectives, with measurable data demonstrating effective usage of funds. Organizations have wide latitude in determining the appropriate usage of funds and in developing the process by which they are justified and approved. Training and education funding resourced from the FMS Administrative Fund will be programmed in accordance with current DSCA Programming Guidance and Program Decision Memorandum (PDM). 7.5 Professional Military Education 7.5.1 Listed below are some examples of professional military education, developmental leadership management training, and fellowship programs available. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list, but merely to be used as a starting point for professional development Note that many of these also provide the opportunity the student to earn a Master's Degree while completing PME.
7.6 Developmental Leadership and Management Training
7.7 Fellowships
7.8 Professional Certifications 7.8.1 A variety of professional certifications exist in both the public and private sectors. Although no formal requirement exist to obtain professional certifications, individuals are encouraged to take the opportunity, as available, for personal career development. 7.9 International Affairs Certification and Career Development (IAC&CD) Council 7.9.1 An International Affairs Certification & Career Development Council provides senior DoD leadership the vehicle for coordinating effective and efficient International Affairs Certification and Career Development to meet DoD education, training, and career development goals and objectives. The Deputy Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency shall serve as Council Chair. Council members will include:
DISAM will serve as the executive agent for the IAC & CD Council. 7.10 Organizational Functional Councils 7.10.1 Each Organization is responsible for the management and oversight of their career development and certification implementation guidelines. Defense Organizations are encouraged to establish a council to provide functional oversight. This council's duties should include the establishment and continuous review of long-term and short-term career development and certification goals and objectives. The Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM) will provide the Board with advice and counsel on matters related to education and training as required. These guidelines assume that defense organization executives are viable candidates for membership and may be permanently assigned to the council, as determined by the MILDEP or Defense Agency. DISAM will serve as the Functional Council for non-MILDEP DoD Agencies that choose not to establish their own councils. |
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8.0 PREFERRED COURSE LIST 8.1 In addition to the courses listed in Table 8, each M1IDEP has an appendix to its Implementation plan that lists functional course offerings. Non-MILDEP DoD IA personnel will receive the same level of credit for completing MILDEP functional training as they receive from their own non-MILDEP training. i.e., if it's a mid-level (Level II) type functional or PME course in the MILDEP appendix, it will be treated as a mid-level course in the DISAM/DSCA certification plan. Since the DoD non-MILDEP agencies have a wide variety of functional specialties, the individual supervisor has the authority to determine which functional courses within his agency's available training courses will qualify as "basic," "intermediate," and "advanced" courses for purposes of International Affairs certification. 8.2 Courses Required for Training Certification 8.2.1 The following listing of preferred courses is provided to assist IA Workforce Certification candidates in fulfilling their training requirements, as identified in paragraph 4.0. Certification candidates and their supervisors need to exercise rational judgment in deciding that a particular course currently listed in this appendix is compatible with the intended requirements for the certified position. A substitution criterion requires the minimum number of training days at each certification level (i.e. Level I-27 days, Level II-19 days, and Level III-19 days). Days are cumulative such that Level III requires (27+19+19) 65 days total, and Level II requires 46 days. Courses listed have a minimum of 3 days duration, However, an accumulation of 1 and 2 day courses may be acceptable in fulfillment of an "IA job related requirement" provided the minimum combined total number of days in the classroom is 3. Table 8: Alternative Courses for Training Certification
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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND PERSONNEL SYSTEM IMPLICATIONS - GUIDELINES FOR SUPERVISORS BACKGROUND Provision for certifying personnel in International Affairs (IA) duties is contained in the DOD IA Certification and Career Development Guidelines of 7 November 2001. The Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM) has developed an implementation plan for certifying personnel in non-MILDEP DoD Agencies who desire and meet the criteria of the applied-for level (I, II, or III). PURPOSE It is expected that practitioners within the International Affairs profession working for the DoD will find the information on certification and related career development extremely helpful. As International Affairs professionals advance throughout their careers and receive recognition through participation in the certification process, the government will benefit from their dedication and attention to their careers. Certification provides a means to recognize professional accomplishments and enables supervisors to employ the workforce in ways commensurate with the demands of the IA Community. The program is geared to provide workforce shaping, personnel career development. It also provides an avenue for meaningful training and experiences for both participants and their supervisors. GUIDELINES The most important fact to remember is that this program is voluntary. Because of this, if may not be used as a qualifying factor in the hiring process. This means that it cannot be stated in the Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) as a mandatory qualification criterion. Certification in this program can be stated on the JOA as a desirable factor. Additional guidance follows:
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