Duties
Basic Function of the Position:
The incumbent is the senior Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff) in the External Unit in the Africa Bureau’s largest Political Section. The incumbent supports the Section and the Front Office on the full range of political reporting, contact development, and other work needed to advance U.S. interests in Kenya and is the Embassy’s LE Staff expert on defense, security, and external affairs related political developments in Kenya.
The incumbent acts independently on instructions from Washington, advancing USG policy interests under general supervision of the External Unit Chief, coordinating his or her work as appropriate with the External Political Officer.
The incumbent further performs independent research and analysis, provides policy recommendations, and drafts substantive reports on political issues, with a particular focus on Kenya’s relationship with regional states, the People’s Republic of China, regional multilateral bodies, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue nations, and all strategically important external actors. In addition to responsibilities on the external affairs portfolio, the incumbent is also responsible for covering political-military issues, such as Kenya’s security posture, defense budget, and military activities.
The incumbent develops and maintains a wide range of contacts related to Section interests with both working level and senior officials. The incumbent backs up the Internal Unit senior LE Staffer as needed.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
EXPERIENCE:
Three years of progressively responsible experience in political analysis and research plus two years of experience with Kenyan politics and government is required
JOB KNOWLEDGE:
Working knowledge of Kenyan foreign affairs, regional issues, major actors, domestic and regional leaders, and trusted voices on external affairs and political-military issues.Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Journalism, History or Economics is required.
Evaluations:
LANGUAGE: Level IV English (Fluent, speaking/reading/writing (This may be tested). Kiswahili IV (Fluent, speaking/reading/writing is required.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Must have access to high-level contacts in Kenyan government. Solid writing skills, and the ability to synthesize information quickly in written form. Must have knowledge of PC and Internet-based software, especially word processing programs, MSOffice,
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:
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 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”), 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.
THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs ONLY:
1. Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible to apply.
2. 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.
3. The following may also be considered when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, etc.
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:
Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application:
- Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
- Residency and/or Work Permit
- DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- CV
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Journalism, History or Economics
- SF-50 Form (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.