April 2020
The Foreign Service Journal covers foreign affairs from an insider’s perspective, providing thought-provoking articles on international issues, the practice of diplomacy and the U.S. Foreign Service. Including the AFSA News section, The Journal is published monthly (January-February and July-August issues combined) by the American Foreign Service Association.
The April issue focuses on career and performance management in the Foreign Service.
We always welcome short, focused letters about FSJ content; please send them to journal@afsa.org.
FOCUS ON CAREER AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Needs of the Service and Those of Our People: The New HR
The newly named Bureau of Global Talent Management is taking steps to better recruit, retain and empower a high-performing, diverse 21st-century workforce.
Evaluation Reform at State: A Work in Progress
The 2015 EER reforms are the building blocks from which State intends to establish a fully modernized performance management system.
Redesigning Foreign Service Performance and Promotion at USAID
USAID took the first bold step to modernize its performance management and promotion systems in 2014, asking FSOs to report honestly and in detail what they thought of these processes.
State’s New MSI Program: Preliminary Results Are In
Creating an MSI award process that is transparent, efficient and true to the intent of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 is a shared goal of AFSA and the State Department.
What’s Next for SNEA?
The special needs education allowance program had become almost impossible to navigate. Will the new SNEA policy make a difference?
Balancing Act’s Formula for Driving Institutional Change
A small group of working mothers pioneered putting work-life balance on the agenda at the State Department. Here’s their story.
FS HERITAGE
Discovering Our Consulate’s History, We Discovered Ourselves
Digging deep into his post’s history unearthed more than this FSO ever expected—including a passion for discovering and sharing knowledge to aid public diplomacy and boost morale.
FEATURE
RETIREMENT SUPPLEMENT
Retirement Planning 101
It may be years away, but the sooner you think about and plan for your retirement, the better it will be.
AFSA Membership in Retirement: What’s in It for You?
Besides camaraderie, there are paths to engagement and advocacy, access to unique practical information and assistance—and it’s a good deal!