Political Specialist

Overview

Announcement Number: Nairobi-2022-001

Hiring Agency: Embassy Nairobi

Position Title: Political Specialist - All Interested Applicants

Open Period: 11/09/2021 - 11/24/2021

The U.S. Mission in Nairobi is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Political Specialist.

Responsibilities

• The incumbent, a LE Staff member in the Internal Affairs Unit of the Political Section, serves as the policy advisor to the Political Section staff.
• The incumbent is a member of a four-person LE Staff team covering the full spectrum of political issues in Kenya and U.S.-Kenya relations.
• Within the four-person team, the incumbent is an advisor on domestic political issues.
• The incumbent serves as a liaison between the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political Section staff and leaders across the full range of Kenyan society.
• The incumbent maintains the Political Section’s contacts with senior Kenyan government officials at both the national, regional, and county level, including officials in the office of the president, deputy president, members of the cabinet, parliamentarians, political party leaders, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, religious organizations, multilateral organizations, and media houses.
• The incumbent engages with these Kenyan contacts in furtherance of U.S. foreign policy goals and advises the Political Section staff on optimal ways to undertake both private and public diplomacy outreach.
• In addition, the incumbent will have opportunities to brief visiting U.S. officials on the stability of the Kenyan government, attitudes toward the United States, and implications for U.S. policy objectives in the region.
• The incumbent reports directly to and receive supervision from the Senior LES Political Advisor (position C10006) and are reviewed by the Deputy Political Counselor.

Education

• BACHELORS DEGREE IN LAW
• bachelors degree in international relations

Additional education

• University Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, or Business Studies is required.

OR

• Completion of high school is required.
• The incumbent must have a thorough knowledge and deep understanding of Kenyan political institutions, electoral political systems, business climate, social and development issues, security and law enforcement institutions, and history.
• The incumbent must understand political trends and the operations of non-governmental organizations in the democracy and governance sector.
• The incumbent must also possess extensive knowledge and understanding of U.S. foreign policy objectives in Kenya and the region.

Experience

Additional experience

• A minimum of five years of work experience, including senior-level Kenyan government, public service, or journalism position working in multiple regions of Kenya that includes extensive knowledge of, access to, and familiarity with public security and political sector leadership.

OR

• A minimum of nine years of work experience, including senior-level Kenyan government, public service, or journalism position working in multiple regions of Kenya that includes extensive knowledge of, access to, and familiarity with public security and political sector leadership.
• Such experience must have involved sustained interaction with diverse social interests, the international diplomatic community, and non-governmental organizations.
• Close familiarity with issues and problems of democratization and governance in less developed countries and a demonstrated ability to analyze democracy and governance development issues is required.

Skills

• communication skills
• writing skills
• Sound Judgement

Additional skills

• The incumbent must have good communication skills and the ability to interact with people more senior in authority and status and of different backgrounds.
• Strong analytical and writing skills and the ability to work independently is essential.
• The incumbent must exercise initiative, sound judgment, and be able to interpret and apply U.S. government policy goals and regulations while interacting with senior Kenyan government officials, senior civil society leaders, and other U.S. mission personnel.
• The incumbent must be adept in Word, Outlook, Excel, and Contact Relations Management (CRM) and possess proficient keyboarding and numerical skills.
• The incumbent must have the ability to prepare analytic and spot reports of significant depth and complexity using precise and accurate language under tight deadlines.
• The incumbent must also be able to interpret and anticipate the needs of the Ambassador, DCM, and Political Section staff for coverage of political events.

Terms and conditions

Kindly note for this position the ideal candidate should either have:

Completion of high school is required. A minimum of nine years of work experience, including senior-level Kenyan government, public service, or journalism position working in multiple regions of Kenya that includes extensive knowledge of, access to, and familiarity with public security and political sector leadership.

OR

University Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, or Business Studies is required. A minimum of five years of work experience, including senior-level Kenyan government, public service, or journalism position working in multiple regions of Kenya that includes extensive knowledge of, access to, and familiarity with public security and political sector leadership.

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.

All applications to be submitted through the link before 24th November 2021 https://erajobs.state.gov/dos-era/vacancysearch/searchVacancies.hms?_ref=wgfqmdznpt0