Announcement Number: Kinshasa-2019-009-RR
Hiring Agency: Embassy Kinshasa
Position Title: Political Specialist - Open only to : Employees of the Mission/All agencies.
Open Period: 08/30/2019 - 09/13/2019 Format MM/DD/YYYY
Vacancy Time Zone: GMT
Series/Grade: LE - 1605 10
Salary: (USD) $0
Work Schedule: Full-time - .
Promotion Potential: LE-10

Duty Location(s): 1 in Kinshasa, CG
Telework Eligible: No
For More Info:  HR Section
 097-261-6179
 HRKinshasa@state.gov

Overview

Hiring Path:
• Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
All Interested Applicants / All Sources.
Security Clearance Required:
Public Trust - Background Investigation
Appointment Type
Permanent
Appointment Type Details:
Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period.
Marketing Statement:

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

Summary:

The U.S. Mission in Kinshasa is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Political Specialist (Translator/Interpreter).
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 (4 weeks) of receipt of agency clearances or their candidacy may end.

Supervisory Position: No
Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
Travel Required: Not Required

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Duties

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Develops and maintains personal working relationships with important Congolese at all levels. Informs and advises Political Section regarding current political developments. Independently attends or monitors politically significant meetings and events for analytical reporting purposes. Drawing from the incumbent’s personal knowledge of US Government (USG) interests and in response to specific requests, initiates reports, and identifies opportunities to advance USG interests or to deflect problems. Advises, escorts, and interprets for Embassy officials and visiting USG delegations; accompanies and assists political officers on travel throughout the country.

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Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE: Incumbent must have at least five years of related work experience in Kinshasa and have professional experience using English.  

JOB KNOWLEDGE: A thorough knowledge of the host country's political and social structure, institutions, political parties, historical development, and key political figures. A sound grasps of U.S. foreign policy objectives vis-à-vis the host country. A thorough understanding of internal political reporting requirements.

Education Requirements:

Possession of a collegiate degree in political sciences, international relations, history, or other related field, or equivalent experience is required.

Evaluations:

LANGUAGE: Level IV (fluency) in English and French is required. Level III (good working knowledge) in Lingala required. 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Incumbent must be able to type (Level I) for Bio files, text message, use email, and be proficient at Word and Excel. 

Qualifications:

All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications and complete a mandatory probationary period for LE Staff.

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, 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.

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Benefits and Other Info

Benefits:

Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), locally-resident EFMs and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Kinshasa 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:

(1) AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*

(2) AEFM / USEFM

(3) FS on LWOP and CS in 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 and CS in LWOP status with re-employment or reinstatement rights back to their agency or bureau.

What is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc? (https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/VA-Definitions-and-...)

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. The Mission may consider any of the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.

2. Current employees of the Mission who have not successfully completed their initial probationary periods are not eligible to apply. Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs

Improvement or Unsatisfactory or MBC score of 100 points or less, on their most recent Employee Performance Report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.

3. Current employees of the Mission hired on a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their

employment. This does not apply for employees on a PSA (Temp), or those are hired on a When Actually Employed (WAE) or intermittent work schedule.

4. Candidates who are EFMs, USEFMs, AEFMs, or MOHs must have at least one year remaining on their sponsor’s tour of duty to be considered eligible to apply for this position.

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How to Apply

How to Apply:

All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a security certification.

To apply for this position applicants must electronically submit the documents listed below to be considered for employment. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible and qualified, or

click the “Submit Application” button. For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site https://cd.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/.

Required Documents:

• DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)

• SF-50 (if applicable)

• List of references

Next Steps:

Applicants who are invited to take a language, skills, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.

Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Kinshasa.