Rotational Opportunities


U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Middle East and North African Affairs Team

Location: Washington, D.C.
Position: Foreign Affairs Officer
Timeframe: Immediately preferred, but flexible
Duration: 3 - 6 months
Clearance required: Secret; Top Secret Preferred

BACKGROUND:

DRL’s Middle East team is seeking two Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) to be responsible for promoting democratic reform, rule of law, good governance, and respect for universal human rights as part of U.S. policy in the Middle East and North Africa, including Iran. The positions have concrete and significant policy and programmatic responsibility. We are committed to maximizing the career development opportunities of these rotations for the PMFs.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) leads U.S. efforts to promote democracy, protect human rights and international religious freedom, and advance labor rights globally. DRL is leading the effort to integrate foreign assistance programming with priority foreign policy objectives. The Office of Near East and South/Central Asian Affairs (DRL/NESCA) contributes to the development and implementation of foreign policy and programs to promote democracy and human rights in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, and South Asia. The office is responsible for the annual distribution of more than $300 million of democracy and human rights foreign assistance throughout the region. This Office is responsible for analysis, final editing, and completion of 33 of the nearly 200 “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices” and 29 of the 103 “Advancing Human Rights and Democracy” reports mandated by and annually submitted to Congress.

MAJOR DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:

The PMF will be responsible for the following duties: drafting and clearing memoranda for Bureau and Department principles related to the promotion of democracy and human rights in the broader Middle East; representing the Bureau and Department in meetings, including developing and strengthening relations with U.S. and international NGOs and members of civil society; drafting and negotiating press guidance; preparing congressional correspondence and testimony for senior staff; overseeing extensive democracy and human rights programming; editing annual reports (Human Rights Report and/or Advancing Human Rights and Democracy reports); and drafting comments in response to asylum claims referred by the Department of Homeland Security. The incumbent would cover countries of strategic importance to the USG and have the opportunity to work with top State Department officials.

Requirements: Knowledge of foreign policy issues (e.g. political, economic, public diplomacy), principles, concepts, and methods is essential. The job requires sound judgment, strong interpersonal, organizational, analytical and written/oral communication skills, and a willingness to work as a team player in a fast-paced environment. Experience on the region is helpful, but is not a prerequisite.

POINT OF CONTACT:

Interested candidates should contact Deputy Director Kari Johnstone at (202) 647-1473 or JohnstoneKA@state.gov.

MOU:

If you are selected for this rotation, a Memo of Understanding (MOU) must be completed and signed by all involved parties prior to the start of the assignment. Please coordinate with the DOS' PMF Program Coordinator at the number/email below:

Alison Barg
Presidential Management Fellows Program Coordinator
HR/CSHRM/CD, SA-1, H-1104
Washington, DC 20522
Phone: (202)663-2142
Fax: (202)663-2261
Email: BargAM@state.gov