Political Specialist - US Embassy

The Political Specialist is the expert on internal Kuwaiti politics and the relationship
between the government and parliament. He/she is responsible for providing in-depth
analyses on events in the country through research, reporting and arranging meetings
for political officers with relevant, high-level Kuwaiti interlocutors. The Political Specialist
advises the Ambassador, the Deputy Chief of Mission, and political officers on a wide
array of complex topics, and is alert to sensitivities in political reporting in the country.

Duties Include:
 Analyzes political trends in local politics and forecasts future directions in Kuwait internal
politics (such as parliamentary dissolutions and elections, cabinet reshuffles and
protests) based on these analyses. Prepares analytical reports and briefings on political
issues for the Executive Office and Political Section.
 Develops and maintains extensive high-level contacts with host government officials in
the National Assembly, cabinet agencies, court systems, and professional association
offices. Acts as protocol advisor to the Executive Office and Political Section.
 Briefs visiting officials on the current Kuwaiti political landscape, arranges appointments
for them and accompanies them to meetings with GOK officials and political leaders.
 Attends and supports American officers’ attendance at parliamentary sessions, election
rallies, condolence calls and other social events, raising the American profile at social,
cultural, and political venues and ensuring proper protocol is followed. I
 Reviews daily the Arabic print and televised media sources. Regularly reviews social
media feeds for unofficial trends. Selects and summarizes items of significance from
these sources for political analysis and reporting.
 Translates diplomatic correspondence from English into Arabic or vice versa, as
required, for the Executive office, the Political Section, and other Embassy offices.
 Mentors and provides guidance to American and LE staff on political matters.

(NOTE: 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.
1. Possession of a university degree in Political Science, International Relations,
Law, Journalism. Education may be substituted with experience in accordance
with Department policy.
2. Three years of progressively responsible experience in political research and
analysis, newspaper reporting of political developments.
1. Level IV (Fluent) Reading/Writing/Speaking English and Arabic. Ability to type in both
languages. Language skills will be tested.
2. A thorough knowledge of Kuwait's political, economic, and social structure, institutions,
political associations, historical developments, and key political figures. A thorough
understanding of international politics.
3. Ability to advise senior American officers on sensitive political issues and related
matters. Ability to develop and maintain a range of high-level contacts. Ability to plan
and execute complex research projects. Ability to synthesize information from a wide
range of sources and assess source credibility. Strong analytical skills, strong
presentation and speaking skills are absolutely necessary.
4. Skill in the use of computer programs such as MS Word, MS Excel and Outlook.

SELECTION PROCESS
When fully qualified, U.S. Citizen 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.
NOTE: Only qualified applicants will be called for a test/interview.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA
1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget and residency
status in determining successful candidacy.
2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3. 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.
4. Currently employed U.S. Citizen EFMs who hold a Family Member Appointment
(FMA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar
days of their employment.
5. 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 for consideration
of the application:
1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) as a Locally Employed Staff or
Family Member (DS-174), which is available on the Embassy’s websites:
http://nea.p.state.sbu/sites/kuwait ; http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/ OR
2. A current résumé or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found
on the UAE (DS-174) (see Appendix B); OR
3. A combination of both (i.e., Sections 1-24 of the UAE along with the listing of
the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; AND
4. Copy of high school certificate/university degree (per the qualification
requirement above); AND
5. Copy of the Civil ID and passport (including the residence permit page);
PLUS
6. 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 (BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE) TO:
Human Resources Office
U.S. Embassy Kuwait
Bayan, Block 13, Al-Aqsa Mosque Street
OR
Email the application to: HROKuwait@state.gov

NOTE: Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
POINT OF CONTACT
Human Resources Office
Telephone: 2259-1001

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: COB February 11, 2014