About
Announcement Number:Nairobi-2022-105Hiring Agency:Embassy NairobiPosition Title:Political Specialist – All Interested ApplicantsOpen Period:12/15/2022 – 01/17/2023Format MM/DD/YYYYVacancy Time Zone:GMT+3Series/Grade:LE – 1605 11Salary:Not SpecifiedWork Schedule:Full-time – 40 hour work weekPromotion Potential:LE-11Duty Location(s):
1
in
Nairobi, KETelework Eligible:NoFor More Info: HR Section
020-363-6000
NairobiRecruitment@state.gov
Overview
Hiring Path:• Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:For USEFM – FP is FS. Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
• All Interested Applicants / All Sources
Security Clearance Required:Public Trust – Background InvestigationAppointment TypePermanentAppointment Type Details:• Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary periodMarketing Statement:
We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.Summary:
The work schedule for this position is Full Time (40 hours per week)
Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (4 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.Supervisory Position:YesRelocation Expenses Reimbursed:No
Duties
The incumbent, the senior LE Staff member in the Political Section, serves as the senior policy advisor to the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political Section staff. The incumbent leads a four-person LE Staff team covering the full spectrum of political issues in Kenya and U.S.-Kenya relations. Within the four-person team, the incumbent is the line supervisor with rating responsibility for one person. The incumbent serves as the primary liaison between the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political Section staff and senior leaders across the full range of Kenyan society. The incumbent maintains the Political Section’s contacts with senior Kenyan government officials at both the national, regional, and county level, including officials in the office of the president, deputy president, members of the cabinet, parliamentarians, political party leaders, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, religious organizations, multilateral organizations, and media houses. The incumbent influences and negotiates with these Kenyan contacts in furtherance of U.S. foreign policy goals and further advises the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political Section staff on optimal ways to undertake both private and public diplomacy outreach. In addition, the incumbent briefs visiting U.S. officials on the stability of the Kenyan government, attitudes toward the United States, and implications for U.S. policy objectives in the region. The incumbent possesses significant analytical writing skills, including the ability to adhere to stringent State Department writing guidelines, and produces written work that is often passed on to Washington and which requires minimal edits and supervision. The incumbent reports directly to and receives supervision from the Deputy Political Counselor. The incumbent directly supervises one LE Staff member (Political Assistant) and is responsible for that individual’s evaluation, training, and professional development.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
EXPERIENCE:
A minimum of five to seven years of work experience, including senior-level Kenyan government, public service, or journalism position working in multiple regions of Kenya that includes extensive knowledge of, access to, and familiarity with public security and political sector leadership. Such experience must have involved sustained interaction with diverse social interests, the international diplomatic community, and non-governmental organizations. A close familiarity with issues and problems of democratization and governance in less developed countries and a demonstrated ability to analyze democracy and governance development issues is required.
JOB KNOWLEDGE:
The incumbent must have a thorough knowledge and deep understanding of Kenyan political institutions, electoral political systems, business climate, social and development issues, security and law enforcement institutions, and history. The incumbent must understand political trends and the operations of non-governmental organizations in the democracy and governance sector. The incumbent must also possess extensive knowledge and understanding of U.S. foreign policy objectives in Kenya and the region.Education Requirements:
University Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, or Business Studies is required.
Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:
Level IV English (Fluent, reading/writing/speaking) is required. (This may be tested) and Kiswahili Level IV (Fluent, reading/writing/speaking) is required.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The incumbent must have good communication skills and the ability to interact with people more senior in authority and status and of different backgrounds. Strong analytical and writing skills and the ability to work independently is essential. The incumbent must exercise initiative, sound judgment, and be able to interpret and apply U.S. government while interacting with senior Kenyan government officials, senior business leaders, and other U.S. mission personnel. The incumbent must be adept in Word, Outlook, Excel, and Contact Relations Management (CRM) and possess proficient keyboarding and numerical skills. The incumbent must have the ability to prepare analytic and spot reports of significant depth and complexity using precise and accurate language under tight deadlines. The incumbent must also be able to interpret and anticipate the needs of the Ambassador, DCM, and Political Section staff for coverage of political events.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.Qualifications:
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits:Agency Benefits:
Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Nairobi, Kenya may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.Other Information:
For the current COVID-19 Requirements please visit the following link.
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
1. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability dated within the past six months, equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.
How to Apply
How to Apply:
All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance.
To apply for this position click the “Submit Application” button. For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.Required Documents:
To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.
All Applicants:
• Residency and/or Work Permit
• University Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, or Business Studies
• Curriculum-Vitae (cv)
Eligible Family Member Applicants:
• Copy of Sponsor’s Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Passport copy
• DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)Next Steps:
Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
For further information – the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Nairobi, Kenya.
