Political/Economic Assistant

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:  09-24

NOTE:  All applicants who are not the Family Members of USG employees officially assigned to post and under Chief of Mission Authority must have the required work and/or residency permits to be eligible for consideration.

 OPEN TO:       
1.  Eligible Family Members (EFMs) - All Agencies Current

2. Ordinarily Resident and Not Ordinarily Resident U.S. Citizens and Foreign National Employees - All Agencies

3.  Ordinarily Resident and Not Ordinarily Resident U.S. Citizens and Foreign Nationals

POSITION:    POLITICAL/ECONOMIC ASSISTANT   

TEMPORARY POSITION TO REPLACE EMPLOYEE ON MATERNITY LEAVE - APPROXIMATELLY 12 MONTHS                             

OPENING DATE:  October 26, 2009

CLOSING DATE:  November 08, 2009

WORK HOURS:    Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY:              *Ordinarily Resident: Position Grade: FSN-9

                             (LES 9/step 1 gross annual salary EUR 26,089)    

*EFM/MOH/NOR: Position Grade: FP-05 to be confirmed by Washington (USD 42,314)

The U.S. Embassy in Podgorica is seeking an individual for employment in country for the temporary position of Political/Economic Assistant.

 BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Position supports the advancement of US Government foreign and economic policy objectives, and monitors, analyzes, and reports on the political and economic situation in Montenegro.  The incumbent also serves as a protocol assistant and interpreter/translator. 

Monitor press and media, and prepare daily press briefings (incumbent is expected to work flexible hours, including over weekends).

Act as Protocol Assistant, arranging meetings for Ambassador and DCM.  Also arrange meetings for Pol/Econ officers, other Embassy officers, and Washington visitors, as needed.

Advise American officers and prepare factual and analytical reports on political and economic issues and developments in Montenegro, drawing on professional training, expertise, and information obtained from open sources and personal contacts. 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

NOTE:  All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Bachelors Degree or equivalent in international relations, political science, economics, history, law, social sciences, finance, international trade, or similar field is required.

2. At least two years of work experience in related work, in the field of politics, journalism, education, international affairs, economic/business development, or other closely related field.

3. Must have strong written and oral proficiency in English (4/4 - fluent) and language of Montenegro (4/4 - fluent). Incumbent must be able to communicate effectively and accurately both orally and in writing in both languages, and prepare reports, correspondence, and documents in a professional and competent manner requiring little or no editorial changes (in English). The incumbent must also have the ability to interpret in meetings.

4. A comprehensive knowledge of Montenegro's political, economic, business, and social structures, as well as institutions, political parties, historical development, and key political figures is required.

5. Must have a thorough knowledge of computers, and have training and experience in using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and in use of internet as a research tool.

SELECTION PROCESS

When equally qualified, Eligible Family Members and U.S. Veterans will be given preference.  Therefore, it is essential that all candidates address the required qualifications above in the application. 

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and visa status in determining successful candidacy.

2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position should submit the following:

Either:

A. Application for Federal Employment (OF-612); or

B. A current resume.

And:

C. Documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that address the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

Via e-mail:   podgoricajobs@state.gov

Via fax:       +385-1-661-2371; 

Via mail:      American Embassy Zagreb

Human Resources Office - Job Application (Pol/Econ Assistant)

T. Jefferson 2,

10010 Zagreb, Croatia

DEFINITIONS

1.   EFM:  US Citizen spouse or US citizen child as referred to in 6 FAM 111.3, paragraph R, (1) who is at least age 18, and who, in either case, is on the travel orders of a US citizen Foreign or Civil service employee or military service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad and under Chief of Mission authority.

2. Member of Household (MOH): Foreign born spouses, dependent children, unmarried partners of the same and opposite sex, parents, other relatives or adult children who fall outside the Department's current legal and statutory definition of EFM.

3. Ordinarily Resident (OR): A citizen of the host country or a citizen of another country who has shifted the main residency focus to the host country and has the required work and/or residency permit for employment in country.

4. Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): A non-host country citizen (U.S. citizen or foreign national) who, although legally resident in a host country, is not permanently resident. US citizen EFMs and Members of Household of FS, GS, and Military Personnel officially assigned to post are generally the only individuals who are NOR and are eligible to work under host country law.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION:  November 08, 2009

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The US Mission in Croatia 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 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.