REFUGEE PROGRAM SPECIALIST

The U.S. Mission in Geneva is seeking an individual for the position of Refugee Program Specialist for the Humanitarian Affairs Office.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The incumbent will provide substantive and technical advice/support on humanitarian protection issues, including efforts countering SGBV, for the Office of Humanitarian Affairs (HA). This work includes providing technical guidance and monitoring major international partners’ (UNHCR, ICRC, IOM) work on protection issues; representing U.S. positions in formal and informal gatherings and position the United States as the lead donor in advancing protection issues; writing briefing memos and analytical reports. The incumbent will take the lead in covering U.S. relationship with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and back up on institutional issues with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The major duties and responsibilities for the position will be:

• Support HA’s contributions to the Mission-wide initiative on women and adolescent girls. • Develop deep relationships with key interlocutors on humanitarian issues, with a focus on protection, including SGBV and the protection and advancement of women and adolescent girls. • Monitor and provide technical feedback to major international partners (UNHCR, ICRC, IOM) on their work, particularly with regard their protection activities, including SGBV and child protection. • Formulate and deliver talking points and speeches at meetings and conferences on United States priorities regarding humanitarian protection issues. • Attend working level meetings and conferences on United States’ policies and priorities, including humanitarian protection. • Act as the substantive lead on IFRC institutional issues and back up on ICRC institutional issues. • Write briefing memos and draft analytical reports on meetings/briefings and related developments.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. If you do not address these qualifications in your application you will be considered “unqualified.” You may attach an additional narrative statement if needed.

1. Master degree in international development, humanitarian affairs, political science, other social science, or law is required
2. Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a non-governmental organization, international organization, or humanitarian assistance are required.
3. Level IV (fluent) speaking/reading/writing in English and Level III (good working knowledge) speaking/reading/writing in French are required.
4. Job knowledge: An understanding of how the US Government and international organizations function and interact. Substantive knowledge of US policies on humanitarian affairs, particularly in regards to humanitarian protection. Understanding of refugee or humanitarian relief operations and architecture
5. Strong interpersonal skills. The office is fast-paced and teamwork is essential. Strong leadership skills will be required. Technical expertise in protection and gender-based violence are needed. Ability to work under pressure and to respond to tasking from multiple sources. Ability to mediate conflicting or differing priorities among international partners and US funding. Good public speaking and communication skills. Strong analytical and writing skills. Ability to work autonomously and independently when required. Self-confidence to take initiative to deal with unexpected issues.

NOTE: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens in order to obtain/maintain a secret security clearance.

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.

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.
6. Must be able to obtain/maintain a secret security clearance. .

HOW TO APPLY:

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

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) for Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) found or eForms (for current employees), by double clicking the icon below or by contacting HR for a copy; OR,
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see Appendix B); or
3. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; 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 U.S. Veterans 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.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO Human Resources Office Insert Address: GenevaHR@state.gov. POINT OF CONTACT Name: Laurence Zulian Telephone: 022 749 44 27 CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: September 30, 2015

The U.S. Mission in Geneva provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

Appendix A DEFINITIONS

1. Eligible Family Member (EFM): An individual related to a U.S. Government employee in one of the following ways:

• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); • Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support. The term shall include, in addition to natural offspring, stepchildren and adopted children and those under legal guardianship of the employee or the spouse when such children are expected to be under such legal guardianship until they reach 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian; • Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of the employee or of the spouse, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; • Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, or of the spouse, when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support.

1. U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): For purposes of receiving a preference in hiring for a qualified position, an EFM who meets the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizen; and, • EFM (see above) at least 18 years old; and, • Listed on the travel orders of a direct-hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service member assigned to or stationed abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and either:

1. Resides at the sponsoring employee's or uniformed service member's post of assignment abroad or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or
2. Resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2.
3. Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM): EFM (see above) eligible for a Family Member Appointment for purposes of Mission employment:
   • Is a U.S. citizen; and • Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) or a child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and • Is listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126, Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report, of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad at a U.S. mission, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and who is under chief of mission authority; and • Is residing at the sponsoring employee's post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, office of the American Institute in Taiwan. • Does not receive a Foreign Service or Civil Service annuity
4. Member of Household (MOH): An individual who accompanies a direct-hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service member permanently assigned or stationed at a U.S. Foreign Service post or establishment abroad, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan. An MOH is:

• Not an EFM; and, • Not on the travel orders of the sponsoring employee; and, • Has been officially declared by the sponsoring USG employee to the COM as part of his/her household.

A MOH is under COM authority and may include a parent, unmarried partner, other relative or adult child who falls outside the Department’s current legal and statutory definition of family member. A MOH does not have to be a U.S. Citizen.

1. Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who:

• Is not a citizen of the host country; and, • Does not ordinarily reside (OR, see below) in the host country; and, • Is not subject to host country employment and tax laws; and, • Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN).

NOR employees are compensated under a GS or FS salary schedule, not under the LCP.

1. Ordinarily Resident (OR) – A Foreign National or U.S. citizen who:

• Is locally resident; and, • Has legal, permanent resident status within the host country; and, • Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.

EFMs without U.S. Social Security Numbers are also OR. All OR employees, including U.S. citizens, are compensated in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

Appendix B If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the Application for Employment. 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. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers G. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes
or No; if yes, provide number) H. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number I. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No) J. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide (Yes or No; if yes, provide explanation) K. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle,
Driver’s License Class / Type
L. Days available to work M. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S.
Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location) N. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference O. Education P. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition Q. Language Skills R. Work Experience S. References