Political - Military 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: Political - Military Assistant - U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2022-112
Location: Abuja
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Series/Grade: FP - 1605 6
Promotion Potential: FP-6
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
  • For USEFM - FP is 06.  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) - All Agencies
• Security Clearance Required: Top Secret Clearance
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Definite not to Exceed (5 years)

Summary

• The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 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.
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required: Not Required

Duties
Basic Functions:

• Incumbent is the Mission’s Political-Military Affairs Assistant. The position is one of nine in the Political section and is supervised by the Political-Military Affairs Officer.  Incumbent is responsible for coordinating Leahy Vetting at Post.
• Job holder is responsible for backup reporting on the region's multinational organization , ECOWAS, has some action and reporting on Nigeria's Political-Military developments, and for maintaining Post's biography database.
• This position works in close coordination with Consular Section, the Defense Attaché Office and the Office of Security Cooperation at Post, as well as with the various offices responsible for Leahy vetting in Washington DC.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, International Relations or other Liberal Arts.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in an office environment with a strong focus on writing and analytical skills development is required

Job Knowledge: 

• Must be familiar with the work of U.S Embassies abroad, as well as the work of the Political Section of U.S Embassies. Must be able to acquire a solid grasp of U.S. and Nigeria military structures and bilateral cooperative programs through on-the-job training and self-guided study; as well as learn how Leahy Vetting impacts security assistance and cooperation between the U.S and Nigeria. 

Evaluations:

• This may be tested. Please specify your level of proficiency in the language listed. 

Language: 

• Fluent speaking/reading/writing in English is required.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Good Computer skills including the use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel to perform basic writing and office communication tasks. Must be able to maintain, manage and work in databases.

Equal Employment and 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.

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.

Marketing Statement:

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

Remuneration
USD 43,507 Annually.

Benefits
Agency 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.

Application Closing Date
30th September, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information

• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Secret clearance. 
• To apply for this position click the "APPLY TO THIS VACANCY” button at the top of the page. Click on the “Submit Application” button to complete your application process. 

Required Documents:

• To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement.
• Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.

The Required Documents are:

• Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Residency and/or Work Permit
• Degree with transcript
• 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.