Protocol Assistant at 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: Protocol Assistant

Announcement Number: Abuja-2023-041
Location: Abuja
Series/Grade: LE - 0120 8
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Promotion Potential: LE-4
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.
  • All Interested Applicants / All Sources
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period

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.
• Supervisory Position: Yes
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No

Duties

• As the Senior Protocol Assistant, the incumbent supervises one Protocol Administrative Clerk (SN-07) in the Protocol Office and is a key advisor to the Ambassador (Chief of Mission), Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), and other Mission staff on all aspects of protocol, etiquette, precedence, local customs, and communication practices. 
• Working closely with the Ambassador’s Office Manager, they organize logistics for representational events and other activities hosted by the Ambassador and DCM. 
• The incumbent liaises with the offices of Government of Nigeria officials of all ranks (Presidency, State Governors, Ministers, Traditional rulers), including cabinet members, members of Congress, heads of diplomatic missions, ranking military personnel, and protocol officials.
• They obtain appointments and courtesy visits for the Ambassador, DCM, and high-level USG visitors.  The incumbent follows up on diplomatic notes and other correspondence requiring action on the part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other ministries.  
• They serve as site officer, as needed, for VIP visitors and assists with logistics for the Ambassador's and DCM’s meetings with GON officials.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration or Public Relations is required.

Experience:  

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in protocol, executive level office management, business, political, or external relations in a service-oriented environment is required. 
• Experience in organizing high-level events/meetings in an international setting is required. One year of supervisory experience is required.

Job Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of U.S. Government practices and policies is required.

Evaluations:

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

Language:  

• Good Working Knowledge speaking/reading/writing English is required.
• Good Working Knowledge in speaking Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa is required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must have solid supervisory skills to include managing employee workloads and schedules.
• Must have exceptional organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Must be detail oriented and have excellent inter-personal skills to deal with people at all levels of organizations.
• Demonstrated computer skills with Microsoft applications including Teams, Excel basic numerical/spreadsheet skills, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook is required. Must be able to adapt to different leadership styles. Must be able to cultivate and maintain key government and diplomatic contacts. 

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.

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.

Other Information:

• For the current COVID-19 Requirements please visit the following link.

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”), Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability dated within the past six months, 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.

Marketing Statement:

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

Salary
NGN9,688,215 / USD45,290 per Annum.

Application Closing Date
21st April, 2023.