Regional English Language Assistant

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: September 5, 2013

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

The US Embassy is seeking for an individual for the position of Regional English Language Assistant in the Public Affairs Section.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Develops and participates in programs designed to advance the Post’s goals and initiatives through English language teaching; Organize, implement, and administer these programs when the RELO is traveling outside of Dar es Salaam or Tanzania; Provide any necessary administrative support, such as, but not limited to, assisting with general correspondence, cables, email, data collection, record keeping and the RELO web site, and social networking outreach.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

25%

1. Program Planning: Under the general guidance of the Regional English Language Officer (RELO), develops and supports Post’s English language programs, especially the English Access Micro-scholarship Program. Since the RELO is a regional position on temporary duty (TDY) approximately 50% of the time, the RELO Assistant is expected to carry out English Language Program projects, using his or her own judgment, experience, and knowledge of the English teaching profession and the situation of English teaching in Tanzania. Has primary responsibility for consulting with ministry officials, department heads, teacher trainers, ELT program administrators, ET related associations and teachers nationwide on English teaching in order to design programs which meet Post’s goals and the needs of the Tanzanian ELT community.
   5%
2. Exchanges: Contributes as necessary to those aspects of Post’s exchanges program which relate to English teaching as well as to American Studies at all levels, including Access teacher and student programs, E-Teacher, and IV or VOLVIS programs for English teachers. Exchange support includes, but is not limited to, visiting educational institutions to interview potential candidates for the various programs, corresponding with the candidates, processing applications, and consulting with the participants selected and offices in Washington to arrange programs which best fit the professional needs and interests of the participants. Prepares any required reports at the conclusion of an exchange program or grant as needed for follow-up activities.
   12%
3. English Language Fellows (ELF) : Identifies potential host institutions for a Fellow and negotiates a realistic project description for the Fellow as well as cost-sharing from the host institution for the program. Has primary responsibility for the logistical and administrative support for Fellows and the Fellows' activities in-country. Prepares any required reports or communication as needed regarding the evaluation or effectiveness of the Fellow or the Fellow program. Assists the RELO with supporting and aiding EL Fellows in the RELO region as needed and appropriate. For these purposes, the incumbent may be required to travel outside Das es Salaam or Tanzania as appropriate.
    20%
4. Seminars, Conferences, Workshops, and Meetings: Advises the RELO, PAO and CAO on types of event to hold and the audience to target. Works directly with Tanzanian educational officials at both high ministerial and local levels to prepare the event (approximately 3 per year). Prepares materials for these events. Prepares all grants for any English Language Specialists which ECA/A/L provides to assist with such programs, and arranges the Specialists’ in-country travel and accommodations. Throughout the events, handles the professional and administrative requirements of the Specialists. The RELO Assistant may present substantive workshops, lectures, or speeches as appropriate at such events. Prepares MAT reports evaluating the effectiveness of the events. Attends meetings with the RELO as requested and translates for the RELO as needed. For these purposes, the incumbent may be required to travel outside Tanzania as appropriate.
    5%
5. Materials: Ordering/distribution/promotion/marketing: Has responsibility for the ordering of ECA/A/L English language program materials and commercially published materials as needed. Supervises the distribution of all incoming and outgoing ELT materials. Deals directly with regional publishers on ELT book initiatives. Is responsible for distribution of the English Teaching Forum and other ECA/A/L/M materials as may be appropriate. Maintains the Forum database. Manages RELO presentation items. Has responsibility for the English Language Programs recycling program at Post when it is in effect including, but not limited to, promoting and negotiating the sale of the materials and handling the recycling account in coordination with the PA Program Officer responsible for the PA Budget, in compliance with the State recycling program regulations. Takes responsibility for the distribution of other materials created under grants from the RELO (State) for such development.
   5%
6. Internet: Assists RELO with aspects of designing, implementing, and maintaining a web site as well as other social networking outreach tools for the RELO as required. Advises the RELO on activities that could take place from the RELO web site. Helps to identify and solicit potential participants for online activities.
   15%
7. Professional Contacts: Maintains substantive contacts with Tanzania’s ELT community at the ministerial, university, and all school levels, as well as in the private and commercial sectors. Recommends entry of key contacts into Post’s Contact database and on guest lists as appropriate. For this purpose, meets ELT professionals both inside and outside the office, and may be required to travel outside Dar es Salaam as appropriate. Maintains an up-to-date database of RELO contacts.
   10%
8. Administrative/Budget responsibilities: In coordination with the RELO and the Financial Management Officer who handles the RELO budget, keeps track of the RELO budget. Keeps all required office records and files including databases, distribution lists, and guest lists. Updates the RELO calendar and adds RELO events to the PAS calendar. Drafts office correspondence in English, or Swahili as appropriate, including, but not limited to, cables, email messages, invitations, thank-you notes, event proposals, and evaluation reports.
    3%
9. RELO Regional Work: Assists the RELO with regional work as needed and appropriate. Assists in identifying or designing possible regional projects that will support Post’s MPP, the Tanzanian ELT community, and the RELO’s regional activities and goals. Assists the RELO with RELO activities in the region as needed and appropriate. For these purposes the incumbent may need to travel outside Dar es Salaam or Tanzania as needed and appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education: The incumbent must have a university Master’s degree or higher in Education with a focus on Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Applied Linguistics or a related field.
2. Prior Experience: The incumbent must have a minimum of four years experience teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) at the secondary or university level. The incumbent must have a minimum of two year’s experience in TEFL teacher training, including organizing and presenting workshops. The incumbent must have demonstrated experience in organizing TEFL teacher professional development programs at local, regional and national levels. The incumbent would have demonstrated experience in one or more specific areas of TEFL such as English for Specific Purposes (e.g., Business English, Legal English), content-based instruction, curriculum development, testing and assessment, and materials development or adaptation.
3. Language Proficiency: The incumbent would have a demonstrated fluency in English and Kiswahili Level IV (fluent) in (reading, writing and speaking) is required.
   The incumbent must be able to write complete, coherent text from the paragraph level to full report level with minimal errors in grammar, syntax, and spelling. The incumbent must demonstrate a working vocabulary relevant to the position being applied for. The incumbent must be able to translate between Swahili and English.
4. Knowledge: The incumbent must have a broad knowledge of the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language, including state-of-the-art techniques and methodology. The incumbent must have a broad knowledge of education in Tanzania at all levels, especially language education in both the public and private sectors. The incumbent must have a working knowledge of using the Internet and social networking tools. The incumbent would have a good general knowledge about U.S. society, culture and the U.S. education system. The incumbent must have knowledge of a specific area or more in TEFL such as English for Specific Purposes and Content-based instruction using such fields as civic education, environmental education or peace education.
5. Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must be able to develop and manage a project budget. The incumbent must be able to keyboard in English (30 words per minute) and Swahili. The incumbent must be computer literate. Must be able to use Microsoft Word at the advanced level. The incumbent must be able to use email. The incumbent must be able to use the Internet to research relevant information. The incumbent must be able to translate between Swahili and English for American specialists and visitors. The incumbent must be able to travel throughout Tanzania and in the region for professional programming. The incumbent must be able to organize, run and present in professional development programs such as workshops, seminars, digital-video conference, panel discussions and lectures.

SELECTION PROCESS

When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application. 

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174). A hard copy of the application form (DS-174) is also available at the American Embassy, gate 3; or


2. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or


3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus


4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.


5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE. 

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known) 
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number) 
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No) 
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide 
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type 
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location) 
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference 
P. Education 
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills 
S. Work Experience
T. References

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam

POINT OF CONTACT

Telephone: 229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2294726

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: September 5, 2013