SUBJECT:  ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:  14-010
OPEN TO:   All Interested Candidates
POSITION:   Political Specialist
FSN -11, FP-04
FSN-10, FP-5 trainee level may be established  
OPENING DATE:  February 11, 2014
CLOSING DATE:  February 25, 2014
WORK HOURS:  Full-time; 40 hours/week      
SALARY    *Ordinarily Resident: 11,041,502/9,461,487 CFA per annum (FSN-11/10 starting salary before benefits and allowances)
*Not-Ordinarily Resident: US$62,378/50,544 per year
ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is seeking an individual for the position of Political Specialist in the Embassy Political section.
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The incumbent will have regular contact with members of the government, cabinet level officials, and local non-governmental leaders.  He/she will interview these contacts and draft reports from these interviews.  The incumbent will inform supervisor of current events in Mali that can affect USG objectives and interests.   
A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available in the Human Resources Office. 
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.
Masters in Administration, Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Sociology, Finance or Law.
Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in social science, research and analysis, preferably in the field of politics, government, education, or reporting on political matters.
French Language level V and English Language level IV (English will be tested).
Thorough knowledge of the host country’s political, economic, and social structure, political relationships of key decision makers in Malian society and government, and must maintain an extensive range of high level contacts with Government of Mali representatives and important political and civil society actors.
Comprehensive understanding of U.S. foreign policy and assistance objectives and must be able to provide, inform political and economic reporting with detachment and objectivity and effectively communicate with contacts and Embassy leadership.
Basic computer skills (Windows and Excel)
SELECTION PROCESS:
When fully qualified, U.S. Citizens Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and U.S Veterans are given preference.  Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy. 
Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible to apply.
Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
TO APPLY
INTERESTED APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING OR THE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED:
Application for U.S. Federal Employment (DS-174) available onhttps://mali.usembassy.gov/job-opportunities.html; Applicant must specify on the third page of the Employment Forms (DS-174) part 24, their English knowledge level, PLUS;A Current resume or curriculum vitae, PLUS;
Any other documentation (e.g., driver’s license, copies of essays, certificates, awards, degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.  Candidates who claim conditional U.S. Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.
SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
HROBamako@state.gov
Subject: Political Specialist
POINT OF CONTACT
HRO: 2070- 2314/2316/2511 FAX: (223) 2070-2348
CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION:  FEBRUARY 25, 2014
The U.S. Mission in Bamako, Mali, 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.