The U.S. Embassy to Kenya opened in 1964. Through sixteen Ambassadors since then, the Embassy has enriched the ties between the American and Kenyan people and served the needs of Americans in and around this East African hub. Chief among the U.S. Mission’s goals are fostering the development of a sound Kenyan economy, strengthening the institutions of Keny...

Responsibilities or duties

Protocol Liaison and Contact Development 60%

The incumbent serves as an expert in navigating protocol issues with the Kenyan government and other diplomatic entities. The incumbent develops an extensive range of contacts and manages meetings with key officials from the Government of Kenya, international organizations resident in Kenya and managing staff from private companies and non-governmental organizations.

Uses these contacts to provide information, analysis, and advice to the Executive Office. Serves as the Ambassador’s principal liaison with the Kenyan government and Protocol Offices within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President. Establishes a good working relationship with various ministries. Develops the necessary networks to acquire documents and information as needed by the Mission. Given the relationship-based nature of dealings in Kenya, combined with the size of the Mission, the incumbent should be versatile and skilled at communicating and building relationships across Kenya. The incumbent should be knowledgeable about and able to identify and advise on key decision-makers and influential people in Kenya. The incumbent participates in the Mission’s strategic planning, policy development, and operations for the Protocol Office.

Independently keeps abreast of issues requiring outreach to key contacts. Makes suggestions of meetings and contacts to reach out to, based current events. In coordination with Embassy political, economic, and public affairs counterparts, proactively advises the Ambassador and DCM on protocol and related government matters.

Event Management 30%

Oversees the event preparation logistical support by the three Protocol Assistants, assuming event lead for certain events.

The incumbent is required to make suggestion for events, in planning them as well as providing input and guidance on the expected pattern of official functions. Is responsible for supervising the preparation of guest lists, issuance and distribution of invitation cards, and seating arrangements for official and social functions hosted by the Ambassador. Follows up on invitations and coordinates with the Residence Manager and the Executive Office Managers on representational events at the official residences. Instructs Residence Manager on best practices for maintaining representational wine stocks. Analyses event staffing levels and budgets and oversees Protocol’s preparation of financial claims for Executive Office approval.

Attends key diplomatic functions, including on some evenings and weekends to supervise Protocol staff and give counsel to the Ambassador and DCM. Personally identifies, meets, greets, escorts and introduces VIP guests to the Ambassador during representational events and meetings. Directs the Protocol staff’s coordination with the Regional Security Office informing and requesting access for VIP and regular visitors to the Ambassador’s Residence and Chancery. Gives feedback after events.

Correspondence and Communication 10%

Advises the Ambassador and DCM on strategic written communication with Kenyan officials as well as appropriate internal messaging to local Embassy employees. Follows up, formally and informally, with relevant Kenyan government offices to ensure that Embassy meeting requests and other important inquiries are addressed. Participates in senior staff discussions related to the Ambassador’s travel and outreach. Prepares culturally and situationally appropriate remarks for the Ambassador and DCM at ceremonial events.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a security clearance.

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 upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, International Relations, Political Science, Liberal Arts, Public Relations, or related 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:

Three years of progressively responsible experience in protocol, executive level office management, business, political, or external relations is required. Experience in organizing high-level events/meetings in an international setting is required. In addition, two years of supervisory experience is also required.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Note: This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by incumbent. The incumbent will be required to perform other duties as assigned by the agency.

• Serves as an expert in navigating protocol issues with the Kenyan government and other diplomatic entities.
• Develops an extensive range of contacts and manages meetings with key officials from the Government of Kenya, international organizations resident in Kenya and managing staff from private companies and non-governmental organizations.
• Provides information, analysis, and advice to the Executive Office.
• Serves as the Ambassador’s principal liaison with the Kenyan government and Protocol Offices within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President.
• Establishes a good working relationship with various ministries.
• Develops the necessary networks to acquire documents and information as needed by the Mission.
• Participates in the Mission’s strategic planning, policy development, and operations for the Protocol Office.
• Keeps abreast of issues requiring outreach to key contacts.
• Makes suggestions of meetings and contacts to reach out to, based current events.
• Proactively advises the Ambassador and DCM on protocol and related government matters.
• Oversees the event preparation logistical support by the three Protocol Assistants, assuming event lead for certain events.
• Makes suggestions for events and provides input and guidance on the expected pattern of official functions.
• Supervises the preparation of guest lists, issuance and distribution of invitation cards, and seating arrangements for official and social functions hosted by the Ambassador.
• Follows up on invitations and coordinates with the Residence Manager and the Executive Office Managers on representational events at the official residences.
• Instructs Residence Manager on best practices for maintaining representational wine stocks.
• Analyses event staffing levels and budgets and oversees Protocol’s preparation of financial claims for Executive Office approval.
• Attends key diplomatic functions, including on some evenings and weekends to supervise Protocol staff and give counsel to the Ambassador and DCM.
• Personally identifies, meets, greets, escorts and introduces VIP guests to the Ambassador during representational events and meetings.
• Directs the Protocol staff’s coordination with the Regional Security Office informing and requesting access for VIP and regular visitors to the Ambassador’s Residence and Chancery.
• Gives feedback after events.
• Advises the Ambassador and DCM on strategic written communication with Kenyan officials as well as appropriate internal messaging to local Embassy employees.
• Follows up, formally and informally, with relevant Kenyan government offices to ensure that Embassy meeting requests and other important inquiries are addressed.
• Participates in senior staff discussions related to the Ambassador’s travel and outreach.
• Prepares culturally and situationally appropriate remarks for the Ambassador and DCM at ceremonial events.

• Navigating protocol issues
• Contact development and management
• Meeting management
• Liaison with government and diplomatic entities
• Relationship building
• Communication (verbal and written)
• Strategic planning
• Policy development
• Event management
• Supervisory skills
• Budget analysis
• Cultural awareness

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, International Relations, Political Science, Liberal Arts, Public Relations, or related is required.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in protocol, executive level office management, business, political, or external relations is required.
• Experience in organizing high-level events/meetings in an international setting is required.
• Two years of supervisory experience is also required.
• Ability to obtain and hold a security clearance.
• Ability to begin working within a reasonable period of time upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications.