shall be compensated at a rate equivalent to level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5, United States Code. (f) Personnel management authority (1) Staffing (A) In general Without regard to any provision of title 5, United States Code, governing the appointment of employees in the civil service, the Deputy Chief may appoint— (i) such individuals as necessary to provide not fewer than 2 staff members from the Unit to each Americas partner country