Political Assistant (Position Based in Nuristan Province)
OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates
POSITION: Political Assistant (Position Based in Nuristan Province)
OPENING DATE: March 30, 2009
CLOSING DATE: April 12, 2009
WORK HOURS: Full-time, 40 hours/week
________________________________________
NOTE: ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul is seeking an individual for the position of Political Assistant with Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Office. The successful applicant will be assigned to the PRT located in Nuristan Province.
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:
The incumbent serves as a political assistant and public affairs assistant office manager for the Department of State (DOS) Representative at an International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). Incumbent serves as interpreter and coordinator for local political and press contacts. Duties also include office management, scheduling, maintenance of biographical information and keeping current a contact information database, tracking of local media, and note taking/reporting on events for the Department of State (DOS) Representative Preferred candidate will have current drivers license to act as a driver and courier as required.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.
Education: Completion of Secondary (High) School is required.
Experience: Two years experience with National or international organizations, foreign affairs offices, or as an official English language interpreter/translator for US or Afghan government offices is required.
Language: level IV (fluent) speaking/reading in English and Dari; level III (good working knowledge) speaking/reading in Pashto language is required.
Knowledge: Should have general knowledge of Afghan government organization and functions; a working knowledge of international reconstruction and development efforts in Afghanistan and the ability to convey that knowledge to local government officials is required.
Abilities and Skills: Ability to communicate at a professional level, familiarity with political and military terminology. Ability to interact with a wide network of Afghan contacts to track events and issues. Ability to draft spot reporting on political and reconstruction issues. Ability to prioritize work assignments and projects. Ability to write reports in English, and good knowledge of Microsoft Office suite is required.
SELECTION PROCESS
When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and U.S. 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.
2. Current Employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3. Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary rating of needs improvements or unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible to apply.
4. Currently Employed US 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.
5. Currently employed NORs hired under a personal Service Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their work schedule.
TO APPLY
Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered:
1. Application for U.S. Federal Employment (SF-171 or OF-612); or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an OF-612; plus
2. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
Human Resources Office, U.S. Embassy Kabul
Attention: Vacancy Announcement 09-21
Or through e-mail to this address: kabuljobs@state.gov
Subject line must be: (Political Assistant, Nuristan VA 21) or your application may not be received
DEFINITIONS
1. US Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) – For purposes of receiving a preference in hiring for a qualified position, an EFM who meets the following criteria:
• US 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.
2. EFM: An individual related to a US Government employee in one of the following ways:
• Spouse;
• 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.
3. 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 US Citizen.
4. 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 US Social Security Number (SSN).
NOR employees are compensated under a GS or FS salary schedule, not under the LCP.
5. Ordinarily Resident (OR) – A Foreign National or US 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 US Social Security Numbers are also OR. All OR employees, including US citizens, are compensated in accordance with the LCP.
CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: April 12, 2009
The US Mission in Afghanistan 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 Equal Employment Opportunity (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.