employment opportunities

Political Specialist
Sensitive

OPEN TO:           All Interested U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members 
                         (AEFMs only)

POSITION TITLE: Political Specialist

OPENING DATE:   November 17, 2008

CLOSING DATE:  December 8, 2008 (Applications received in HR after the 
                              closing date will not be considered)

WORK HOURS:    Full-time, 40 hours per week

GRADE:                 FP-05 (USD 41,122)
                        Final grade and salary will be determined by Washington

NOTE: Must have at least 18 months remaining at post by the closing date of this vacancy announcement in order to be considered for this position, or have a current/active Top Secret security clearance with at least 12 months remaining at post by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

NOTE: ONLY U.S. CITIZEN ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS (AEFMS) OF U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO THE MISSION UNDER CHIEF OF MISSION AUTHORITY, AS DEFINED BELOW, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. A U.S. CITIZEN EFM DOES NOT HAVE TO BE RESIDING IN COUNTRY TO BE CONSIDERED, BUT THE SPONSORING OFFICER UNDER COM AUTHORITY DOES HAVE TO BE OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED TO POST.

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing is seeking an Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) for employment as a Political Specialist in the Political Section.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

The successful candidate will require advanced writing, analytical and Chinese language skills, as well as considerable experience in China and deep knowledge of the Chinese political structure. The incumbent will support the Political Section’s ongoing efforts to monitor and report on complex political and social developments in China as well as significant events concerning China’s domestic politics and foreign relations. He/she will keep the Political Section, and by extension the Ambassador and DCM, apprised of political and social issues of interest to Washington by monitoring the Chinese-language Internet, chat rooms, popular magazines, academic journals and other sources of information more comprehensively than officers are able to do, and analyze these data for Washington. The incumbent will establish contacts among officials, journalists and academics and help arrange meetings and roundtables between them and U.S. officials. The jobholder will also develop his own sources of information to draft thoughtful analytical cables that are either tasked directly to him or judged by him to be significant to U.S. interests. He/she will assist in logistical and other arrangements for visiting U.S. officials, including trips outside Beijing, attend MFA and other agency press briefings and keep the POL Section library organized and updated with pertinent newspapers and periodicals. Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.

A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available in the Human Resources Office. Contact 8531-4500.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Applicants who fail to provide detailed information supporting each requirement will not be considered for this position.

• Education: Successful completion of a B.A. program at an accredited undergraduate institution in History, International Relations Regional Studies (Asian, African, Latin American, European, etc.), English and any Asian language, Religion, Business, Political Science, Anthropology, Ethnology, Journalism, Law, Economics, Geography, or Public Policy is required.
• Prior Work Experience: At least three years of related experience in economics, law or international relations, with at least one year of intensive China-related experience, excluding language study is required. This could comprise of time spent on employment with a Chinese, American or international organization directly dealing with China issues, or academic research or fellowship program primarily focused on China.
• Post-Entry Training: On-the-job instruction. Formal training opportunities may be offered as need arises, but are not required to attain full job performance
• Language Proficiency: English level IV (Fluent reading/writing/speaking) is required. Mandarin Level IV (Fluent reading/writing/speaking) is required.
• Knowledge: A good working knowledge of the Chinese political system and insight into the procedures and protocol of Chinese Government agencies; awareness of Mission and Political Section reporting objectives; familiarity with current events and trends in Chinese domestic politics and foreign relations, especially U.S.-China relations; knowledge of key sources of information, including scholars, community representatives, journalists and various publications; understanding of USG procedures and Chinese protocol standards.
• Skills and Abilities: Must be fully capable of drawing complex information from a wide range of English and Chinese language sources, including the Internet, scholarly publications, magazines and newspapers. The incumbent must be skilled at quickly absorbing new material and translating and interpreting for Embassy officers. He/she must be adept at accurately and fully recording the content of official and academic meetings and drafting thorough and well-written reports. Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS Security Clearance.

SELECTION CRITERIA

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

NOTE:

--All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Applicants who fail to provide detailed information supporting each requirement will not be considered for this position.

--Applications received after the closing date will not/not be considered.

--When applicable, Members of Household (MOH) are strongly encouraged to mention MOH status in their cover application letter.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

• Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
• Where applicable, current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
• EFMs who currently hold a FMA appointment are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of that appointment.
• All applications received by the closing date will be reviewed by HR to determine which applicants meet the advertised position’s required qualifications. When appropriate, the HR Office will administer necessary skill testing, such as typing, to confirm an applicant’s qualifications. Those who do not meet the position’s required qualifications will not be considered for the position.
• Applicants without a U.S. social security number will be paid according to the Local Compensation Plan and in local currency (RMB). There are no exceptions to this regulation.
• The candidate must be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position should submit the following:

1. Application for Federal Employment (OF-612 or SF-171);
2. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
3. Current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an OF-612; plus
4. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above. 

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

Human Resources Office
American Embassy Beijing China
No.55 An Jia Lou, Beijing 100600
Email: USEmbassyBJHR@state.gov
(Please specify the position title in the subject line.)
Fax: 86-10-8531-4545
Website: www.usembassy-china.org.cn

DEFINITIONS OF CATEGORIES OF LOCALLY EMPLOYED (LE) STAFF:

1. AEFM: A type of EFM that is eligible for direct hire employment on either a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or Temporary Appointment (TEMP) provided s/he meets all of the following criteria:

• US citizen;
• Spouse or dependent who is at least age 18;
• Listed on the travel orders of a Foreign or Civil Service or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority;
• Is resident at the sponsoring employee’s or uniform service member’s post of assignment abroad, approved safehaven abroad, or alternate safehaven abroad; and
• Does not receive a USG annuity or pension based on a career in the US Civil, Foreign, or uniform services.

2. EFM: Family Members at least age 18 listed on the travel orders of a Foreign of Civil Service or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed to a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority who do not meet the definition of AEFM above.

3. Member of Household: A MOH is a person who: 1) Has accompanied, but is not/not on the travel orders of a U.S. citizen Foreign or Civil Service employee or uniform service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a U.S. Foreign service post or establishment abroad; 2) Has been declared by the sponsoring employee to the Chief of Mission as part of his/her household; and 3) Resides at post with the sponsoring employee.

4. 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 permits for employment in country.

5. Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): Typically NORs are AEFMs and EFMs of FS, GS, and uniform service members who are on the travel orders and under Chief of Mission authority, or other personnel having diplomatic privileges and immunities.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: December 8, 2008

The US Mission in Beijing 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.