Political Specialist

Description

• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust
• Duration of Appointment: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period
• Marketing Statement: We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply
• 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
• Summary: The U.S. Mission in Mozambique is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Political Specialist position in the Political-Economic (Pol-Econ) section
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No

Duties

• The incumbent serves as the principal political affairs specialist for the Embassy, primarily advising the Chief of Mission and the Political/Economic Section. The incumbent is responsible for sensitive, time-critical, and complex analytical reporting and information-gathering on political and social issues and gives a daily briefing to the Chief of Mission on these issues. The incumbent proposes and oversees the implementation of high-level VIP visits. All these responsibilities are equal to those of a U.S. direct hire. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Political and Economic Counselor and is reviewed by the Counselor

Requisites

• All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:
• Security certificate; or
• Public Trust security clearance. All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a preemployment medical exam. Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end. Education Requirements: See the requirements section below for the education requirements
• Evaluations:
• You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement. You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test
• You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position
• Qualifications:
• EXPERIENCE: Five years progressively responsible experience in a Mozambican legal, political, economic, or journalism related field where political research and analysis are a main feature of the work required
• EDUCATION: University degree in political science, international relations, journalism, history, or international law is required
• Language:
• English – Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate
• Portuguese - Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate

Benefits

• The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees.  For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.

Hiring Preference Selection Process

• A hiring preference is extended to eligible and qualified applicants in the order listed below.  It is essential you accurately describe your status in your application, failure to do so may result in a determination that you are not eligible for a hiring preference

Hiring Preference Order

• Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
• AEFM / USEFM
• Foreign Service (FS) on Leave without Pay (LWOP) and Civil Service (CS) with reemployment rights
• IMPORTANT:  US citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) 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”) preferably Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability, 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 FS employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau

The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only

• Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible. This does not apply when the hiring mechanism is TEMP or the work schedule is intermittent or irregular
• Candidates with a hiring preference who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing
• The following apply to Locally Employed (LE) staff only:
• Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible
• Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible
• How You will be Evaluated:
• You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement
• You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test
• You must complete the application form and provide the required documents
• Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position
• Required Documents:
• Please upload all applicable documents to your application. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position
• All Applicants:
• ID/Passport and/or Work Permit
• University Transcript (Certificado de cadeiras feitas for positions requiring university studies or a degree)
• In addition, Eligible Family Member (EFM) Applicants must submit:
• 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)
• Agency Benefits:
• The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees.
• For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• The HR Office will contact successful applicants.  For more information on applying for jobs or employment with us, please visit the U.S. Mission website https://mz.usembassy.gov/jobs
• Please address all relevant experience, education, language skills (including English), and job-related skills or requirements in your application
• You may edit your application any time before the vacancy closing date. If you fail to submit a complete application by the vacancy closing date of this vacancy, then your application may be disqualified for this position
• For a copy of the complete position description, please contact the HR Office
• To request reasonable accommodation, please contact the HR Office
• Please note that CDC and the U.S. Government NEVER require payment of any money in connection with a job application

How to Apply

• Send your Documentation for this link: https://erajobs.state.gov/dos-era/vacancy/viewVacancyDetail.hms?_ref=udlvuznnpt0&returnToSearch=true&jnum=75901&orgId=20