Political Assistant

Vacancy Announcement Number: 16/236

OPEN TO:      All Interested Applicants/ All sources

OPENING DATE: October 24, 2016

WORK HOURS:   Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR):  FSN- 9; (Step 1- TZS 36,733,555 through Step 13- 55,100,335 per annum)

Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 5 (steps 1 through 4)

**Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Political Assistant in the Political/Economic Section.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Inform Political/Economic Officers of current political situation, providing historical perspective and potential future impact. Analyze events and trends and their impact on the political situation. Provide access to the best sources of information by developing and maintain key contacts in government, non-government organizations and the private sector. Facilitate communication between Political/Economic Officers and key sources of information. Enable the section to receive the maximum amount of information and contact development by representing the Embassy at political meetings and events and reporting analysis thereof.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Report, analyze, report and advise: 55%

Advise political/economic officers on, and provide legal analysis of, pending legislation, political events and legal issues.

Analyze the political situation in the country and inform the Deputy Chief of Mission and political/economic officers as requested.

Monitor local media, follow current developments and seek information from Embassy contacts in government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.  Report regularly to political/economic officers on significant developments in political issues and current affairs.

Research issues of interest for the political/economic section, with particular focus on data needed for mandatory reports.  Compile data, write assigned sections and assist with preparation of annual reports.  Respond to any additional questions from Washington regarding mandatory reports.

Analyze events and trends regarding trafficking in persons and labor issues.  Develop host government and NGO contacts related to these issues and provide updates for annual reports and periodic cables.

Monitor research and maintain files on narcotics issues and events, political-military issues and events, and refugee issues and events.  Analyze events and trends regarding on the issues identified above and update periodic reports as needed.

Monitor research and maintain files on international organizations issues and events.  Analyze events and trends regarding international organizations issues.  Update periodic reports on international organizations issues.

Research and prepare biographic data of government officials in consultation with Biographic Information Coordinator.

Update political sections of country reports and guides.

Facilitate access and communication: 30%

Arrange for meetings with relevant officials and attend with supervisor as requested.  Note take at demarches as requested.

Develop and maintain contacts with government officials to facilitate meetings and ensure that political/economic officers have current information and access to key officials.

Prepare diplomatic notes.

Arrange for permits from the Ministry of Home Affairs for regional refugee coordinator and other United States Government officials to visit refugee camps.

Interpret government proceedings for political/economic officers.  Interpret for official visitors, including congressional delegations.  Translate political documents for political/economic officers.

Support visiting United States government officials by identifying appropriate local contacts, organizing meeting schedules, facilitating logistics and accompanying visiting officials, as requested.

Maintain list of political contacts for official functions.  Greet official visitors and guests at Embassy events for the political/economic section.



Represent and report: 15%

Attend and represent the Embassy at judicial review functions and report on them, including relevance of function to current affairs and trends.

Attend conferences, party congresses, sessions of Parliament and other political events, analyze current state of affairs in light of events at such conferences, congresses and sessions and report thereon.

Serve as back-up for other local hire members of the Pol/Econ section.                                                                                                  

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

a.      Education:

University degree in Law, Political Science, Sociology, History, Economics or in related field is required.

b.      Experience:

Minimum four years of professional work experience in law and International Affairs is required.

c.      Language:

Level IV (Fluent) in English and Kiswahili Level is required. (This will be tested)

d.      Skills and Abilities:

Good interpersonal skills, use of prudence and good judgement in discussion with high-level officials.Rapid translation skills ability to summarize large quantities of information.  Effective use of computer skills for word processing, email and other office tasks.  Strong writing skills in English is required. (This will be tested).

e.      Job Knowledge:

 In-depth knowledge of the function of the Tanzanian government key       NGOs and International Organizations; and ability to develop an extensive network of contacts is required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The complete position description listing all of the duties and responsibilities can be obtained on our website and/or by contacting the Human Resources Office DarRecruitment@state.gov.



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:

AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
AEFM / USEFM
FS on LWOP**
* IMPORTANT:  Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.  If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process.  Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.



ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.


HOW TO APPLY:  Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered.  Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources.  (See “For Further Information” above);        
Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
Copy of University Degree.
For Tanzanian Nationals:  Copy of Passport, or National ID, or Voters ID
5.    For Other Nationals: please attach current Resident/Work Permit and copy of valid Passport.


WHERE TO APPLY:  Effective immediately only online applications will be accepted via DarRecruitment@state.gov

Applicants MUST follow instructions in the notice on the website.

When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.



EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: 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(below compulsory retirement age), disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

Appendix A - DEFINITIONS

Eligible Family Member (EFM): An EFM for employment purposes is defined an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or not a U.S. Citizen; and
Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); or
 Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support. The term “child” shall include, in addition to natural offspring, stepchild, adopted child, and a child under legal guardianship of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such child is expected to be under legal guardianship until 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian; or
Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; or
 Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support; and
 Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
 Is under chief of mission authority.
 U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): A USEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen; and
Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
 Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
 Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and resides at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and is under chief of mission authority; or
 resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2; or
 Currently receives a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.
 Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM): An AEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen; and
 Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
 Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
 Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and
 Is under chief of mission authority; and
 Is residing at the sponsoring employee's post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
Does NOT currently receive a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.
Member of Household (MOH): A MOH is an individual who meets all of the following criteria.

A MOH is someone who accompanies or joins a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
 A MOH must be officially declared to the COM by the sponsoring employee as part of his/her household; and
 A MOH is under COM authority;
 A MOH may include a parent, unmarried partner, other relative, or adult child;
 A MOH may or may not be a U.S. Citizen;
 A MOH is not an EFM;
 A MOH is not listed on the travel orders or approved Form F-126 of a sponsoring employee.
Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:An EFM, USEFM or AEFM of a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned or stationed abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or

Has diplomatic privileges and immunities; and
 Is eligible for compensation under the FS or GS salary schedule; and
 Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN); and
 Is not a citizen of the host country; and
Does not ordinarily reside in the host country; and
is not subject to host country employment and tax laws.
Ordinarily Resident (OR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:

A citizen of the host country; or
 A non-citizen of the host country (including a U.S. citizen or a third-country national) who is locally resident and has legal and/or permanent resident status within the host country and/or who is a holder of a non-diplomatic visa/work and/or residency permit; and/or
 Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.

CLOSING DATE: November 7, 2016.