Political Specialist - U.S. Embassy

The Political Section has an opening for the position of Political Specialist. The position will be available immediately.

The closing date for this position is April 13, 2012.

Minimum Requirements

à A university degree in political science, or social sciences is required. ◊ A minimum of ten (10) years of work experience, including senior-level GOK or Kenyan public service position working in multiple regions of Kenya; and, At least seven (7) years of responsible experience in aspects of social science research/analysis, preferably in the field of politics, political or economic development, or a closely related field. 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. à Level IV English and Level IV Kiswahili ability is required. à Must have thorough knowledge and a deep understanding of Kenyan political institutions, personalities, business leaders, social and development issues, and history. Must understand political trends and the operations of NGOs in the democracy and governance sector. An extensive knowledge and understanding of U.S. foreign policy objectives vis-à-vis Kenya is required. à Proficiency in MS-Office applications in word, excel and outlook. Must have strong analytical and writing skills.

Job Specification

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Incumbent serves as Senior Advisor to the Political section staff, and as appropriate the Front Office, on political affairs and issues of democracy and governance. Incumbent serves as a principle local link between the Political Section, as appropriate the Front Office and the highest levels of the Government of Kenya and civil society organizations. Influences and negotiates with these contacts in furtherance of U.S. policy goals. The incumbent further advises the Political section staff, et al and facilitates U.S.G. democracy and governance activities targeting the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government as well as civil society. Gathers information, maintains and expands contacts with government officials, politicians, and leaders of non-governmental organizations that influence Kenyan politics.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES % OF TIME

Briefings and Advice: For the Political section staff on political, social, economic, and development issues in Kenya with specific emphasis on Civil Society, Gender, Devolution and Land Reform issues. Participates in political section discussions of Kenyan politics and current events and occasionally organizes and facilitates roundtables of outside experts, government, civil society, business leaders, and U.S. officials on political topics of interest to and for the benefit of the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political section. Briefs and participates in briefings of visiting officials and assists them in arranging appointments. Provides forecasts of likely future political developments and trends.-- 50 percent

Information Gathering and Analysis -- Through research and high-level contacts in Kenyan media, political structures (executive, legislative, and judicial branches), business, and civil society gather information and develop analyses for the purpose of preparing written reports and providing frequent and regular verbal briefings to the Political section, and the Front Office as appropriate, on the full range of political issues, reform agenda including human rights. -- 25 percent

Contact Development -- Guide and advise the Political section on the development and maintenance of contacts with government officials, political players, and civil society leaders. Prepare in-depth and detailed biographic reports on political figures using published sources, personal knowledge, and consultation with others, including Embassy Officers. -- 10 percent

Field Work -- Plan for and execute field trips for the purpose of information gathering, analysis, and reporting on political, social developments, and County issues. Advises and guides the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and key staff on the design and execution of in-country travel in the furtherance of USG policy. -- 10 percent

Liaison – Serves as the key liaison with USAID regarding the issues of civil society, gender, devolution and land reform issues and reporting weekly to the Political Section on developments in these sections. To facilitate greater Political Section attendance and participation at locally held civil society, gender, devolution and land reform topics, provides advance notice to the Political section on local meetings, symposiums and fora conducted by GOK and/or civil society on these issues. -- 5 percent

Selection Process:

WHEN EQUALLY QUALIFIED, U.S. CITIZEN ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBER (USEFMs) AND U.S. VETERANS WILL BE GIVEN PREFERENCE. THEREFORE, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE CANDIDATES SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS ABOVE IN THE APPLICATION.


Additional Selection Criteria:

à Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
à Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
à Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their
most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible to apply.
à Currently employed U.S. Citizen EFMs who hold a Family Member Appointment (FMA) are ineligible to apply for
advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.
à Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised
positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually
Employed (WAE) work schedule.
à Applicants must be available for an interview and for proficiency testing as required by the selecting official.

Selection Process:

WHEN EQUALLY QUALIFIED, U.S. CITIZEN ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBER (USEFMs) AND U.S. VETERANS WILL BE GIVEN PREFERENCE. THEREFORE, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE CANDIDATES SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS ABOVE IN THE APPLICATION.

Additional Selection Criteria:

à Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining
successful candidacy.
à Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
à Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or
Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible to apply.
à Currently employed U.S. Citizen EFMs who hold a Family Member Appointment (FMA) are ineligible to
apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.
à Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for
advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment unless currently hired into a
position with a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
à Applicants must be available for an interview and for proficiency testing as required by the selecting official.

The U.S. Mission in Nairobi 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. 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.

DEFINITIONS

1. Eligible Family Member (EFM): An individual related to a U.S. Government employee in one of the following ways:

• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610);
• Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support. The term shall include, in addition to natural offspring, stepchildren and adopted children and those under legal guardianship of the employee or the spouse when such children are expected to be under such legal guardianship until they reach 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian;
• Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of the employee or of the spouse, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support;
• Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, or of the spouse, 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.

2. U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): For purposes of receiving a preference in hiring for a qualified position, an EFM who meets the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizen; and,
• EFM (see above) at least 18 years old; and,
• Listed on the travel orders of a direct-hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service member assigned to or stationed abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and either:

• 1. Resides at the sponsoring employee's or uniformed service member's post of assignment abroad or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or
  2. Resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2.

3. Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM): EFM (see above) eligible for a Family Member Appointment for purposes of Mission employment:

· Is a U.S. citizen; and

· Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) or a child of the sponsoring employee
who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and

· Is listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126, Foreign Service Residence and
Dependency Report, 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 at a U.S. mission, or at
an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and who is under chief of mission authority; and

· Is residing at the sponsoring employee's post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, office of the
American Institute in Taiwan.

· Does not receive a Foreign Service or Civil Service annuity

4. Member of Household (MOH): An individual who accompanies a direct-hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service member permanently assigned or stationed at a U.S. Foreign Service post or establishment abroad, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan. An MOH is:

• Not an EFM; and,
• Not on the travel orders of the sponsoring employee; and,
• Has been officially declared by the sponsoring USG employee to the COM as part of his/her household.

A MOH is under COM authority and may include a parent, unmarried partner, other relative or adult child who falls outside the Department’s current legal and statutory definition of family member. A MOH does not have to be a U.S. Citizen.

5. Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who:

• Is not a citizen of the host country; and,
• Does not ordinarily reside (OR, see below) in the host country; and,
• Is not subject to host country employment and tax laws; and,
• Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN).

NOR employees are compensated under a GS or FS salary schedule, not under the LCP.

6. Ordinarily Resident (OR) – A Foreign National or U.S. citizen who:

• Is locally resident; and,
• Has legal, permanent resident status within the host country; and,
• Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.

EFMs without U.S. Social Security Numbers are also OR. All OR employees, including U.S. citizens, are compensated in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

When applying for this position, kindly email us with the additional documents as specifically required for the position (e.g. licenses, certificates, diplomas, degrees) to nairobidocs@state.gov. Kindly set the subject of the email in the following format: Job ref/Job title/Your Full Name/ID

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