The U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana is seeking an individual for the position of an EDUCATIONAL ADVISOR in the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy. POSITION NO: A00067

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

•   Under the supervision of the Cultural Affairs Officer, the incumbent provides services for students and scholars seeking information about educational opportunities in the U.S. at the Educational Advising Center in the Embassy, the satellite Advising Center at the University of Ghana, and supports the Educational Advising Center in Kumasi, Ghana. S/he plans, schedules and organizes comprehensive, current, unbiased information and counseling on educational opportunity in the U.S. at venues outside the Embassy by invitation or as outreach. S/he promotes services through advertising and outreach; communicates with host country government officials, admissions officers at U.S. institutions and Embassy Consular Officers. The incumbent provides comprehensive, current and unbiased information, advice and counseling on educational opportunities in the U.S., develops and maintains personal contact
with members of education-related institutions, organizations, ministries, including deputy and assistant Ministers, deans, school directors and principals, faculty members, admissions officials, international student directors, presidents and directors of non-governmental organizations, testing center supervisors and key education officials.

•   The incumbent plans, schedules, organizes and administers thematic programs such as seminars, orientations, workshops and school presentations for undergraduate and graduate study, distance education, cultural adjustment, predeparture and college admission counseling. S/he recommends and contacts target audience for inclusion in programs and advises on education-related topics. S/he responds to inquiries from U.S. higher education institutions, organizations, the State Department and electronic listserves regarding Ghana. S/he develops and coordinates schedules with Consular, RSO, Political and other Embassy offices to articulate programs.

•   The incumbent analyzes, advices and reports on changes and trends in the education systems of Ghana and the U.S. and incorporates finding into education briefings and other published EducationUSA Advising Center materials. S/he creates, maintains and updates EducationUSA Advising Center documents and resource materials such as education briefing, standardized testing information and
student handouts. S/he presents education briefings on Ghana to U.S. colleges, universities, visitors, Embassy staff and at the National NAFSA, NACAC and OACAC Conferences as well as invitational events. S/he consults on accreditation, authentication of U.S. Department of Education-recognized degrees, document translation and authentication services. S/he performs administrative tasks such as reporting, recording and maintaining accurate education-related data for reference purposes, media articles and websites.

•   The incumbent tracks desired fields of study and updates resources to meet the needs of students and scholars. S/he develops information packets on specific fields of study and areas of education, such as financial aid and the admission process. S/he continuously updates knowledge of new web-based information providers, other sources of information for students, and the use of social network, e.g. YouTube and Facebook. S/he develops and updates education page content for U.S. Embassy web site; compiles database of students who have studied in the U.S.; creates annual and monthly reports reflecting student contact, outreach and overall education office functions.

•   The incumbent develops and maintains a reference collection of educational information which includes standardized testing information, bulletins and catalogues from U.S. institutions, CD-ROMS, Peterson’s Guides and other reference materials. S/he organizes regularly scheduled informational group sessions on the admission process and other topics, including panel discussions by returned students and specific fields of study, and daily one-on-one counseling. S/he provides materials on testing, application
procedures, and educational opportunities at various schools; provides practice sessions and study materials for required examinations such as TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT, and assists student registration for such tests.

•   The incumbent manages Educational Advising budget, memberships and fees for services within the context of an educational advising program’s mandate to provide unbiased, comprehensive information on accredited institutions of U.S. higher education, recruits paying members for services as follows:

a) collects membership fees and deposits them with the Embassy Financial Management Office for recycling;
b) monitors administrative details of the advising recycling program, including receipt and use of the funds;
c) maintains a database on monies collected and other membership information including follow up information on members who eventually enroll in U.S. institutions of higher education;
d) develops the annual budget, which includes staff payroll, orders for reference section supplies and other expenses;
e) sends regular reports to ECA on recycling funds, averaging $ 5,000 per years, and manages its use;
f) manages the $15,000 Opportunity Scholarship Program, started in FY-2010;
g) applied for and received $5,000 funding from ECA in FY-2010 to purchase materials for the
Center.

Qualification Required & Experience

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

•   Bachelor’s degree from a recognized, accredited 4-year university or college is required. An undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States in the humanities, social sciences, sciences, applied sciences, and business is required.
•   A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in an educational field, with significant responsibility for verbal and written communication, academic resources, high level of interaction with students and professional staff as well as firsthand experience in both the Ghanaian and U.S. higher educational system is required. Experience as a university –level instructor is acceptable.
Level IV English fluency is required in speaking, reading and writing (Fluent. High degree of proficiency in both the written and spoken language, including the ability to translate. On occasion the job holder may need to act as an interpreter); Level III speaking ability in one of the following host country languages is required: Ga, Ewe, Twi, Fante (Good working knowledge of written and spoken language. 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 extensive knowledge of the U.S. secondary and post-secondary education systems: colleges, universities, technical training colleges, community colleges and other education institutions and programs; knowledge about education in the U.S. and Ghana, including testing and examinations, grading systems, classroom culture and admissions procedures; knowledge of information resources on educational systems, testing and requirements.
•   Must have good written and oral communications skills; excellent interviewing skills; ability to analyze the prospective student’s requirements, determine how best to satisfy them; search out and digest information from a variety of sources and provide to student; computer and Internet skills required; use of video technology; knowledge and use of social media, such as posting on YouTube, Face Book (if appropriate) required.; excellent public speaking skills required.

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¢42, 824 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: 02 September, 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.