Political Specialist - All Interested Applicants at U.S. Embassy to Kenya

Duties

Basic Function of the Position:

• The incumbent is the senior Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff) in the External Unit in the Africa Bureau’s largest Political Section. The incumbent supports the Section and the Front Office on the full range of political reporting, contact development, and other work needed to advance U.S. interests in Kenya and is the Embassy’s LE Staff expert on defense, security, and external affairs related political developments in Kenya.
• The incumbent acts independently on instructions from Washington, advancing USG policy interests under general supervision of the External Unit Chief, coordinating his or her work as appropriate with the External Political Officer.
• The incumbent further performs independent research and analysis, provides policy recommendations, and drafts substantive reports on political issues, with a particular focus on Kenya’s relationship with regional states, the People’s Republic of China, regional multilateral bodies, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue nations, and all strategically important external actors. In addition to responsibilities on the external affairs portfolio, the incumbent is also responsible for covering political-military issues, such as Kenya’s security posture, defense budget, and military activities.
• The incumbent develops and maintains a wide range of contacts related to Section interests with both working level and senior officials. The incumbent backs up the Internal Unit senior LE Staffer as needed.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE:  

• Three years of progressively responsible experience in political analysis and research plus two years of experience with Kenyan politics and government is required

JOB KNOWLEDGE:  

• Working knowledge of Kenyan foreign affairs, regional issues, major actors, domestic and regional leaders, and trusted voices on external affairs and political-military issues.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Journalism, History or Economics is required

Evaluations:

• LANGUAGE:  Level IV English (Fluent, speaking/reading/writing (This may be tested). Kiswahili IV (Fluent, speaking/reading/writing is required. 
• SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  Must have access to high-level contacts in Kenyan government. Solid writing skills, and the ability to synthesize information quickly in written form. Must have knowledge of PC and Internet-based software, especially word processing programs, MSOffice,
• 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.