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Acting Section Head, Evaluation and Assessment Capability Section (EAC)

Office: Integrative Activities (OD/OIA)
Directorate: Office of the Director (OD)
Job Type:
Senior Executive/Leadership
This job is open to NSF employees only

Application timeline

Date Posted:
Closing date:

Position Summary

The Office of Integrative Activities is offering a detail opportunity to serve as the Acting Section Head, Evaluation and Assessment Capability Section (EAC). This detail is open to all qualified permanent NSF employees and will not exceed one year, in 120-day increments. For pay and benefits, the selectee will continue to encumber the position from which detailed. The individual selected will be required to file an “Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report” (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 at the beginning and completion of the detail assignment.

Position Description

  • Serves as a member of the OIA senior leadership team.  Serves as OIA representative to meetings regarding collection and analysis of data used for evidence-building.
  • Provides leadership for the agency on the management and independent collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of program/thematic evaluation data for decision making to help determine the strategic direction of the agency.
  • Maintains the agency-wide evaluation policy.  Works with senior leadership in the Foundation to establish the agency learning agenda and annual evaluation plan that, together, guide the gathering of timely information on important questions. Develops strategies for using data to inform decision making.
  • Provides intellectual leadership for designing and/or supporting efficient longitudinal studies and using innovative evaluation designs in assessing progress and benefits of the scientific research investment.
  • Coordinates a wide range of analytic activities using agency evaluation staff with an emphasis on quality and objectivity.
  • Directs multi-year external formative and summative evaluations of policy trends and new programs/initiatives, ensuring high quality designs and appropriate data collection for the purpose and use of the evaluations.

Professional/Technical Requirements: Demonstrated expertise in the management of teams of evaluators and in the management of evaluation contracts. Familiarity with federal planning and programming processes, grants and contracts management, human capital management, fiscal management, and budget preparation. Demonstrated ability to work collegially, be an effective communicator, and act as a mentor to continuously develop the diversity of talent and skills of colleagues at all levels.  Familiarity with NSF’s programmatic and organizational structure. At least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-14 or AD-4 level or higher in the Federal service at NSF. Examples of specialized experience for this position include leading strategic planning efforts, determining funding requirements, justifying budget estimates, balancing program needs, overseeing the evaluation of contract proposals and making recommendations for contract awards, and representing NSF to relevant external groups both inside and outside the Federal government. 

Evaluation:

Your application will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience relevant to the duties of the position. We strongly encourage you to address the Quality Ranking Factors below, especially:

  • Leading Change
  • Leading People
  • Results Driven
  • Business Acumen
  • Building Coalitions

Interested applicants must submit a resume and a narrative statement addressing their background regarding the qualification requirements. Applications must be received by 11:59 P.M. on the closing date. Applications may be submitted electronically to execsrch@nsf.gov.

Contact Information:

Isis Thomas, 703-292-4541, email ithomas@nsf.gov.

 

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