Political Specialist in the Political-Economic (Pol-Econ)

Description

• The U.S. Mission in Mozambique is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Political Specialist in the Political-Economic (Pol-Econ) office

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
• 40% of time: The incumbent draws on extensive and ever-expanding network of contacts across the full spectrum of Mozambican political life as well as the breadth of the country to provide researched advisory political reporting, frequently under limited time deadlines. Incumbent produces cables and reports to the Department of State on political and human rights, including the full range of legislative and governmental affairs as Mozambique rebuilds after decades of war. Incumbent research prepares drafts of required reports on human rights issues, narcotics, and trafficking in persons, and leads more junior LES team members in such. In this capacity, job holder is required to form and maintain an extensive network of contacts at the highest levels of political, governmental and civil society structures. Incumbent is expected to propose original projects which reflect long-term events (e.g. elections), as well as short-term, rapidly developing topics (civil unrest). Incumbent follows, analyzes and reports on activities of the Presidency, National Congress, District and local level governments, civil society, and all political parties with emphasis on elections, constitutional reform, political decision making and changes in leadership. Analyses are presented orally or in front-channel cable format and incorporated into post’s reporting plan. All of these activities are not normally undertaken by local staff – they are equivalent to the duties of U.S. direct hires
• 25% of time: The incumbent follows all major Mozambican media and civil society, and consults with the contact network, then conducts regular oral briefings to the Chief of Mission on incumbent-selected topics with an emphasis on political and social issues, providing analytical insights, placing the information into historical, political, and social context, and incorporating perspectives of civil society and government members. Incumbent follows regional issues as they relate to Mozambique and the United States. S/he also develops background material to help U.S. diplomats and official visitors better understand personalities and cultural nuances affecting U.S. policy towards Mozambique
• 15% of time: Incumbent acts as control officer for high-level U.S. government VIP visits. This significant responsibility entails planning all details of the visits, overseeing their implementation, accompanying the VIP to all meetings, and writing front-channel reports afterwards for dissemination to Washington. These activities are not/not normally undertaken by local staff – they are equivalent to the duties done by U.S. direct hires
• 10% of time: The incumbent mentors and develops the skills of more junior and less experienced political and economic assistants
• 10% of time: Interprets as needed for the Chief of Mission or USG visitors in meetings with high level government, political party and civil society representatives, not only in Maputo but in other regions of the country, traveling as needed. Translates official documents for the Political section when the mission’s protocol assistant and translator are not available. Note: This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the position; position will be required to perform other duties as assigned

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available at the following link: goo.gl/ZcPS42

How to Apply

• Send your Documentation for this link: https://erajobs.state.gov/dos-era/vacancy/viewVacancyDetail.hms?_ref=qmtknjdnpt0&returnToSearch=true&jnum=78818&orgId=20