Political/Economic Commercial Associate U.S. Mission in Uganda

The incumbent will handle a portfolio that includes political and economic reporting with a focus on the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH), Leahy Vetting, legal and current events reporting, Special Self Help Grants support, general commercial support and advocacy, and other tasks as assigned. The FMA works in a combined Political-Economic Section of six American officers, three Eligible Family Member employees, and four Locally Employed (LE) staff. They report to the Deputy Political and Economic Chief and through him/her to the Political and Economic Chief.

Major Duties and Responsibilities (Include % of time spent for each duty, percentage totals must equal 100%):
Research, Report, and Advise on Political and Economic Developments 50 %
The incumbent maintains reporting and research responsibilities, advisory and related services of broad scope, complexity and sensitivity in the fields of political and economic reporting. They prepare extensive spot and in-depth analytical reports on a wide range of sensitive political and economic issues, including tracking legislative and legal issues, in the context of national issues and articulates the implications for U.S. interests. They produce and/or contribute to a full range of written products, including cables, required political and economic annual reports, briefing memos, talking points, and other memoranda. Incumbent supports USG visitors and officers permanently assigned to the section and liaises frequently with other sections in the Mission.
• Develop and Maintain Contacts 15%
• The incumbent maintains a broad range of contacts in their portfolio. This includes government and political party contacts, ministers, legislature, legal and judiciary, media, academia, business, civil society, and religious institutions. To maintain and expand contacts, they attend civil society events, political party meetings, legislative sessions, court hearings, conferences, and seminars relevant to the portfolio. They will assist in drafting/maintaining extensive biographic files on senior political, economic, government and civil society leaders.

Travel Responsibilities 15%
• The incumbent may travel independently especially in Kampala and the surrounding districts and other parts of Uganda as the need arises, to keep up to date on political, economic, legal and legislative, and ESTH developments of importance to U.S. interests. The incumbent also frequently supports travel by Embassy officials, including recommending and developing schedules, making arrangements, accompanying officers on trips, and helping produce post-trip reporting.
• The incumbent also assists in the planning and organizing of visits by Department officials, Cabinet Secretaries, other
• Executive Branch officials and Congressional Delegations. Although this is done under the supervision of the Deputy Political/Economic Chief, Political/Economic Chief, and/or Front Office, the incumbent plays a role not only in logistical arrangements but also in suggesting site visits, tours and meetings with key Ugandan personalities. The incumbent arranges meetings with key political/economic contacts ensuring that officers and official visitors are able to gather comprehensive information and take full advantage of the visit. They recommend approaches to be taken by principals in the meetings and prepare background and biographic material. Incumbent assists Protocol and Front Office as required.

Commercial Advocacy 10%
• Supports the Political/Economic section with commercial advocacy. With direction from the Economic Officer, provides information to private companies seeking information and/or commercial assistance from the Embassy. Assists the Economic Unit to evaluate commercial inquiries and provide appropriate services.
• Research, Report, and Advise on Environment, Science, Technology, and Health 10%
• The incumbent is responsible for reporting and advising the Mission on matters related to the environment, science, technology and health. Climate change, a growing population that is primarily dependent on agriculture and dependence on fossil fuels have combined to exert growing pressure on Uganda’s environment and a key goal of the USG is to help the country manage its environment better. They are expected to report on key developments concerning the environment (including wildlife), science and technology and advise on appropriate strategies to address these issues. The incumbent also supports efforts to maximize the impact of the USG’s aid to Uganda’s health sector by reporting on key developments and advising on mechanisms to promote accountability and efficiency.
Note: This position description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by incumbent. They will be required to perform other duties as assigned by the agency.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Knowledge
Pre-hire (Operational)
• Must have a good understanding of Uganda’s political, legal, economic, commercial, health and social environments.

Post-hire (Organizational)
• Must have good knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and understanding of internal political reporting requirements.

Education
• Completion of two years of College/University Studies is required.

Licensing/Certifications/Training
• FSI courses such as Political/Economic Tradecraft (PG140), Commercial Tradecraft (PE-125), Global Health Diplomacy (PE152), and Promoting Human Rights and Democracy (PP530) are recommended for the incumbent.

Work Experience
• Nonsupervisory:
• At least two years of experience in political, economic or social analysis and report writing, in areas such as law, politics, economics, or journalism.
• Supervisory:

Language Proficiency – List English and other host country language(s) proficiency requirements by level (1-5) for speaking, reading, and writing.
English: Level 4 – Fluent; written/spoken, including the ability to translate
• Host-Country Language:
• Host-Country Language:
• Host-Country Language:
• Host-Country Language:

Pre-hire Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated interpersonal, analytical, communication, or planning and organizational skills is required. Ability to develop and maintain a range of contacts within the host-country government, local parties, security forces, local NGOs and civil society is required. Basic understanding of economic statistics and data in order to analyze political information.
• Must be proficient in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Internet.

Post-hire Skills and Abilities
• Hone ability to plan, organize, and execute complex research projects and prepare precise, accurate and factual analytical reports on sensitive topics that require a high degree of personal courage given the prevailing political circumstances in Uganda.