Research Financial Analyst SME (Program Analyst – SME)

Location: Pentagon (Onsite)

Clearance: TS/SCI

Education: MA/MS (or a BA/BS plus an additional 8 years of work experience, of which 4 must be work-related)

Outcomes:

The successful candidate is expected to accomplish the following outcomes during the first year in the position:

• Formally track all tasks, to include: assigned by, suspense, status, and comments on all assigned tasks through completion and be prepared to brief upon request.
• Develop digital continuity folders and files that include standard operating procedures, workflows and POC lists to accomplish all tasks.
• Create 2-3 products beyond the client’s requirements that positively impact the client to either increase efficiency, effectiveness, or innovation.
• Master position tasks within 60 days and exceed requirements within 90 days.

Responsibilities:

On 06 April 2026, the Deputy Secretary of War officially established the Economic Defense Unit. The EDU Director is the principal advisor to the Deputy Secretary of War for Economic Competition across the Department. The EDU will lead, advise, coordinate, synchronize, analyze and assess economic competition across the DoW.

The Research Financial Analyst SME supports the Office of the Secretary of War / Economic Defense Unit (OSW/ EDU providing subject matter expertise (SME) level financial analysis and support. Per PWS section 1.3.3 Resource Planning, Programming, Execution and Analysis, specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide task definition and planning, data research, collection and analysis, review, presentation, and documentation in support of Full Operational Capability (FOC).
• Formulate inputs for the annual POM/Future Year Defense Program (FYDP), President’s Budget (PB), and Budget Estimate Submissions (BES) processes, and analyze their potential effects on program budgets and cost estimates.
• Provide expertise in the DoW PPBE process, DoD appropriations, fiscal laws, DoD Financial Management Regulations(FMR).
• Create and deliver briefings to all levels of leadership in support of the program, supported by data visualization and cogent messaging.
• Perform advanced research across DoW and its stakeholders on various topics and programs, to include Congress and interagency partners.

Qualifications:

The candidate must have the following qualifications:

• Minimum fifteen (15) years of work-related experience.
• Of those 15 years, at least ten (10) years of work-related experience within the Department of War (DoW) which shows the ability to perform duties supporting the spectrum of the Department of War (DoW) PPBE process.
• Minimum of five years of experience with task definition and planning, data research, collection and analysis, review, presentation, and documentation.
• Minimum five years of experience formulating inputs for the annual POM/FYDP, PB, and BES processes and analyses of their potential effects on program budgets and cost estimates with the Department of War (DoW).

The following qualifications are preferred:

• One or more of the following certifications: DAWIA Business-Financial Management Level 2 or equivalent (Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Defense Financial Manager - (CDFM)) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Experience with the Programming, Budget & Execution System (PBES).
• Experience with Task Management Systems (i.e. TMT or ETMS2)
• Knowledgeable and skilled at applying Generative AI.

Travel: Minimum travel expected, <10%