Political Assistant

This is a full performance position in the Belarus Affairs Unit (BAU) in Vilnius, Lithuania, responsible for supporting the BAU Chief/Embassy Minsk Chargé d’Affaires and the BAU team in program and protocol aspects. The incumbent serves as the main official interpreter/translator and protocol advisor to the BAU, using expert command of both English and Russian to translate all forms of communication in both directions on demand. S/he is responsible for developing and maintaining extensive contacts of BAU interest, including representatives of the Belarusian democratic movement, civil society members, and NGOs. A significant portion of the duties involve planning and executing official events, programs, and site visits for BAU leadership and visiting USG officials. Additionally, the incumbent keeps abreast of political, economic, and social events, and monitors mass media to provide analysis of POL/ECON developments. To advance BAU priorities and U.S. foreign policy objectives, the incumbent prepares concise background information, drafts briefing inputs, serves as a note-taker, and provides insights to the reporting officers. The incumbent reports directly to the POL/ECON Officer.

Requirements:

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:

• security certificate;

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.

Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (4 weeks) upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s/University degree in international relations, economics/international economics, political science, public administration/public policy, or international development is required.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement. 

You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.

You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed.  If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications:

Experience:

At least three years of experience in translation/interpretation, political and economic research/analysis, protocol/event management, public policy, or international affairs/diplomacy is required.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Language: 

Fluent (speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate) knowledge of English and Russian is required.

Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.

The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees:

• 22 days of annual leave;
• 5 days of family care leave;
• 10 additional days off per year during U.S. holidays;
• reimbursement of medical expenses;
• meal allowance;
• yearly bonus;
• eligible for scholarship opportunities at American International School in Vilnius.

For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.