Cultural Affairs Assistant at the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria comprises of the Embassy in Abuja, FCT, and the Consulate General in Lagos. U.S. Consulate General Lagos is the Mission’s representative to the Nigerian people in the southern region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Cultural Affairs Assistant - Employees of the Mission-All /or USEFMs EFMs or MOHs

Announcement Number: Abuja-2020-055
Location: Abuja
Series / Grade: LE - 6005 8
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week
Promotion Potential: LE-8
Telework Eligible: No

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required: Not Required

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

• For USEFM - FP is 06.  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
• Current Employees of the Mission - This includes U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs); Eligible Family Members (EFMs); Declared Members of Household (MOHs), dependents of U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) who are assigned under COM - All Agencies

Marketing Statement:

• We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Summary - 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 (6 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Duties

• Under the Supervision of the Cultural Affairs Officer (CAO), the incumbent serves as Public Affairs Section (PAS) Abuja's Program Control Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff) and liaison with U.S. Government-Nigeria Alumni Associations, especially in northern Nigeria (regions covered by PAS Abuja).  
• S/he is also the principal point of contact and coordinator for post programming connected with certain Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)-related initiatives. Plans and leads PAS Abuja special outreach programs targeting youth, women, interfaith leaders, and conflict resolution activists.
• Incumbent will serve as both an advisor and counselor to Nigeria exchange grantees and public affair / diplomacy staff members in all matters related to alumni outreach programs, alumni grant possibilities and proposals, target of opportunity projects and exchanges.

Requirements

• Education: University degree in Communication, English and Literature Studies, International Studies and/or Education is required.
• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience in progressively responsible people-to-people program outreach and program/project administration; work and involvement in cultural activities, public affairs, or teaching is highly required.
• Job Knowledge: Working knowledge of Nigeria political, economic, social, and educational structure; institutions, political parties, and history is required.

Evaluations - This may be tested. Please specify your level of proficiency in the language listed:

• Language: Fluent in speaking/reading/writing of English is required. Good working knowledge in speaking Hausa Language is required.
• Skills and Abilities: Ability to communicate effectively with the public - orally and in writing, electronically and/or through social and traditional media. Ability to draft cables, memo, evaluate reports and correspondence, as well as the ability to type more than 50 words per minute is required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites and the ability to manage information on proprietary software and databases is required.
• 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.

Qualifications:

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

Benefits

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria 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:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• 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.

Salary

• NGN 8,664,538
• USD $42,149

Application Closing Date
11th December, 2020.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Required Documents:

• In order to qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested diploma and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this position:
  • Residency and/or Work Permit
  • Degree (not transcript)
  • NYSC Certificate
• For EFMs, in addition to the above;
  • Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
  • DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
  • SF-50 (if applicable)

Next Steps:

• 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 Abuja, Nigeria.

Note: All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance.

For More Info: HR Section 09-461-4000 HRNigeria@state.gov