Consulting and StrategyFull-TimeSenior-level(6+ yrs)
Job Description
Role Overview
The Senior Political Specialist serves as the senior Locally Employed (LE) Staff member in the Political Section and acts as the senior policy advisor to the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political Section staff. The incumbent leads a three-person team covering political issues in Kenya and U.S.-Kenya relations, monitors the political landscape, and serves as a key liaison with senior Kenyan government and civil society leaders.
Duties and Responsibilities
Policy Advisory: Serve as the senior policy advisor to the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political Section staff.
Leadership and Supervision: Lead a three-person LE Staff team covering the full spectrum of political issues in Kenya and U.S.-Kenya relations, including line supervision and rating responsibility for one staff member.
Liaison and Networking: Serve as the primary liaison with senior leaders across Kenyan society, maintaining contacts with national, regional, and county-level government officials, members of the cabinet, parliamentarians, political party leaders, trade unions, NGOs, and academic institutions.
Strategic Diplomacy: Influence and negotiate with Kenyan contacts to advance U.S. foreign policy goals and advise mission leadership on optimal private and public diplomacy outreach.
Political Analysis: Regularly monitor and analyze the Kenyan political and security landscape to advise on ways to advance U.S. interests, often obtaining non-public information to assess against known biases.
Briefing and Reporting: Produce high-level analytical reports following stringent State Department guidelines. Brief visiting U.S. officials on government stability and regional policy implications.
Facilitation: Facilitate roundtable discussions on political topics and arrange high-level meetings between U.S. and Kenyan counterparts.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education: A University Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, Business Studies, or a related field is required.
Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) English and Kiswahili proficiency is mandatory.
Technical Skills: Significant analytical writing skills with the ability to produce work requiring minimal edits under stringent guidelines.
Knowledge: Specialized knowledge of Kenyan government structures (national and county) and the broader civil society landscape.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through the official U.S. Embassy portal: U.S. Embassy to Kenya on erajobs.state.gov. Applicants must ensure their application addresses all position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, and language skills.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply via the U.S. Embassy's official portal by following this link: U.S. Embassy to Kenya on erajobs.state.gov. Please ensure you complete the application form and provide all required documents, addressing all position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, and language skills.
