Political/Economic Management Assistant

U.S. Mission                           Uganda
Announcement Number:       Kampala-2023-032
Position Title:                         Political/Economic Management Assistant
Opening Period:                   5/23/2023 – 6/6/2023
Series/Grade:                         FP-08
Salary:                                     USD 36,195 (Actual FS salary determined by Washington D.C.)
For More Info:                        KampalaHREFMServices@state.gov
Who May Apply:                     Current Employees of the Mission – All Agencies and/or U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs); Eligible Family Members (EFMs); or declared Members of Household (MOHs); dependents of U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) who are assigned under COM – All Agencies
Security Clearance Required: Secret security clearance.
Duration Appointment:          FMA not to exceed 5 years.

Marketing Statement:  We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply (https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Eight-Qualities-of-Overseas-Employees.pdf )

Summary: The U.S. Mission in Uganda is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Political/Economic Management Assistant.

The work schedule for this position is: Full time, 40 hours per week.

Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time following receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Supervisory Position: No

Duties: The Political/Economic Management Assistant is a key member of the 12-person POL/ECON Section. The position’s direct supervisor is the Deputy Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs. The position is primarily responsible for supporting the POL/ECON Counselor and Deputy Counselor, but also assists the other officers in the section as requested and time permits.  S/he performs a full range of office management, administrative, records, logistics and protocol duties. The incumbent backs up the Human Rights Officer on overseeing all Leahy vetting functions in his/her absence.

Download: Detailed Position Description | Pol-Econ Management Assistant

Qualifications and Evaluations

Education: Completion of Secondary School is required.

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE: Three years of clerical, administrative, office support, event or travel management in an office setting is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: The incumbent must become aware of pertinent U.S. government regulations and Embassy policies, understanding and correctly applying them.  The incumbent must also quickly grasp the basics of the section’s substantive work enough to provide needed support for those functions.  Must understand how businesses/restaurants arrangements are made and confirmed in Uganda, and how to set up events in Uganda.

Evaluations:

LANGUAGE:  Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing of English is required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  Excellent analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy are required.  The incumbent should also possess good managerial skills, and a personality that inspires confidence in Locally Employed Staff and permits the maintenance of effective working relationships with employees and supervisors.  The following are required:  ability to forecast needs for resources, and to plan and assess problems and develop realistic solutions; anticipate all scheduling and logistical needs for the Counselor and the Deputy Counselor to ensure the smooth functioning of their schedules;  ability to tactfully and efficiently work with American officers and Locally Employed Staff so that the Pol/Econ section provides the highest quality support to the Mission;  ability to tactfully manage other section’s contributions to the Leahy Vetting process in order to process requests in a timely fashion;  able to work constructively with Washington-based administrators of the Leahy Vetting process in order to gain the maximum amount of leeway and receptivity for Mission’s nominees in the most timely fashion; and the ability to create and maintain a good working climate in order to ensure maximum productivity in a service-oriented fashion.  Basic typing skills required.  Must be able to use Microsoft Office Suites.  Numerical skills required. Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Qualifications:  All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

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.

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:

(1)        AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
(2)        AEFM / USEFM
(3)        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: https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/VA-Definitions-and-Additional-Employment-Considerations.pdf

FURTHER, 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.
4. If selected, EFMs are expected to serve in the position for at least one year from the date of hire, and their sponsor’s tour of duty must allow sufficient time for this.

How to Apply:  All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Secret security clearance.

All applications must be submitted online. Applicants shall be required to register under the careers page for U.S. Embassy Kampala following instructions on the link below.

https://ug.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/

1. For further assistance call 0414-306001
2. You will receive confirmation of registration and proceed to apply.
3. On completion of this process, you will receive an auto response via your email.

Required Documents:  Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application:

• DS-174
• High school diploma/certificate
• DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

What to Expect Next:  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 Uganda.