The U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana is seeking an individual for the position of REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM ASSISTANT in the Regional Environmental Office Section of the Embassy. POSITION NO: A20101

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The Regional Environment Office (REO’s) Environmental Program Assistant maintains working level contacts with a wide range of officials of local government, private, academic and Non-governmental organizations. The incumbent performs research as needed by utilizing published, personal, multi-media press and academic sources. The incumbent uses general environmental knowledge as knowledge of African culture, governments and social systems in conjunction with personal/professional contacts to advise the REO and other embassy officers on environmental policy and strategy issues to aid in the advance of the U.S. environmental interest in west and Central Africa. The incumbent may travel within West and Central Africa when requested, representing the REO to U.S. Government (USG), regional, and foreign officials.

The incumbent develops and maintains personal contacts with a wide range of government officials, academics, and staff in non-governmental organizations and businesses in the country portfolio (25 West and Central African countries) and with USG agencies in Washington as well. S/he uses those contacts to stimulate communication and cooperation among organizations interested in environmental issues, to gather information to address major environmental challenges, and to promote the REO’s four environmental themes and other initiatives. The incumbent researches and reports (written and/or verbally) on relevant environmental issues of interest to the U.S. government. S/he develops and published the REO’s newsletter and other reports and maintains an equipment/supplies inventory for the section. The incumbent assists the REO with developing, reviewing and submitting grant proposals for approval, funding and implementation. S/he maximizes the utility of visitors’ programs by reporting, serving as a French-English interpreter, and translating documents (French to English and English to French) and maintains cooperative relations with other sections of the embassy.

Qualification Required & Experience

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

•   A university degree relating to development, environment, science, or health (e.g. development, natural science, engineering, natural resources management, public health, environmental policy, law, para-legal or environmental law is required.
•   A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the field of development, environment, science, health, or natural resources management is required.
•   Must have Level III (Good working knowledge) in English and French. Good working knowledge of the written and spoken language. Job Holder will be able to read and understand, for example, regulations, instructions and related material concerning the field of work, and to prepare correspondence and standardized reports. Job Holder will be able to communicate effectively with staff and members of the public in the language. Language proficiency will be tested.
•   Must have an in depth knowledge of all various function and activities in area of responsibility. Must know the roles and responsibilities of key Mission offices and personnel; USG and Mission priorities in areas of environment, science, and health policy, basic administrative policies and procedures. With regard to the countries involved in environment, science, and health policy; policy-making framework/process (how policy is developed and implementation carried out in the various contexts); familiarity with regional environmental issues (e.g. illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, fisheries management and trans-boundary conservation, scientific research, climate change/variability, etc.) Independent knowledge includes general familiarity with international environment, science, and health policy issues (e.g. current threats/challenges, major international conventions, accepted concepts in environmental management); familiarity with principal international institutions: USG agencies, UN agencies and international NGO.
•   Must have basic computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, databases, desktop publishing/presentations and internet/research. Must also have research and reporting skills (e.g. perform topic research and /or attend meetings and provide verbal and or written summary of subject matter and requirements). Computer skills will be tested.

SELECTION PROCESS

When equally qualified, US Citizen 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.

ADDITIONAL 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 US Citizen EFMs who hold FMA appointment are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.
•   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.

Starting Salary: GH¢23, 369 p.a.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) as a locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174): or
2. A combination of both: i.e. Section 1-24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or
3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information): plus
4. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form
DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veteran preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.
5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
6. A telephone number, post office box and/or e-mail address where we can contact you to schedule an interview.
3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE.

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known)
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number)
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No)
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location)
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference
P. Education
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills
S. Work Experience
T. References

NOTE:

1. All applications must have the Position Number and Position Title identified.
2. All “Hard Copy”/printed applications must be submitted to the Mail Room at the
Chancery. Hard Copy Applications submitted through any other office will not be accepted. You may apply on-line using the email address.:-

AccraHRO@state.gov

This is the preferred means of applying for a position with the American Embassy.

3. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE FOR AN OPEN/ADVERTIZED POSITION. APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED FOR A JOB WILL NOT BE HELD/CONSIDERED FOR FUTURE JOBS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, YOU MUST RE-APPLY.  

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:

Human Resources Office
Through the Mailroom, Chancery
American Embassy, Accra
P.O. Box GP194, Accra

POINT OF CONTACT:

Telephone: 0302-741000
Fax: 0302-741389
E-mail: AccraHRO@state.gov

Closing Date: 26 August, 2014

NOTE: ALL U.S. AND NON-GHANAIAN CITIZENS, WHO ARE NOT FAMILY MEMBERS OF USG EMPLOYEES OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED TO POST AND UNDER CHIEF OF MISSION AUTHORITY, MUST ATTACH COPIES OF THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. NO RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE PROVIDED TO THE JOB LOCATION: ACCRA, GHANA. IF TRANSPORTATION TO ACCRA IS REQUIRED, IT WILL BE THE EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSIBILITY.