Jobs at AFSA

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Employment at AFSA

The Foreign Service Act of 1980, the legal foundation for the Foreign Service, opens by declaring that “a career Foreign Service, characterized by excellence and professionalism, is essential in the national interest.” AFSA speaks for its members individually, ensuring that the law is upheld and due process followed, but also, crucially, for the long-term health and vigor of the Foreign Service as an institution, certain in the conviction that a career Foreign Service, characterized by excellence and professionalism, is in America’s national interest.

AFSA’s membership include active-duty and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists at the Department of State, as well as members of the Foreign Service from the U.S. Agency for International Development, Foreign Agricultural Service, Foreign Commercial Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Broadcasting Board of Governors. AFSA exists to support the United States Foreign Service, which deploys worldwide to protect and serve America’s people, interests and values. The Foreign Service is the only U.S. government entity that is globally deployed with an enduring physical presence in almost every country in the world, creating an enormous competitive advantage for America and for Americans from all walks of life. AFSA’s members are career professionals who spend roughly two thirds of their careers abroad representing America to the people and leaders of other countries. Members of the Foreign Service are posted to more than 270 U.S. embassies, consulates and other missions around the globe—most in difficult and many in dangerous environments.

Our AFSA staff are hired from across the Foreign Service and international affairs communities. If you are interested in supporting the Foreign Service mission and working for AFSA, please keep an eye on our website below for available jobs. In the meantime, we have posted our Employee Handbook here for your information.

Advertising and Circulation Manager

The American Foreign Service Association seeks an advertising professional to serve as Advertising and Circulation Manager for its flagship publication, The Foreign Service Journal. This is a full-time position based at AFSA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Applications will be accepted until July 26, 2019.

The Organization

The American Foreign Service Association, established in 1924, is the professional association and exclusive representative for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s 16,800 members include active and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists from the Department of State as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

The Foreign Service Journal, currently celebrating its centennial year, is published 10 times a year in print and digital formats. The Advertising and Circulation Manager is part of the Publications team and works closely with the Finance Department.

Duties Will Include

Overview: Exercise primary responsibility for advertising sales and renewals for The Foreign Service Journal, the AFSA website and related publications. Manage and grow advertising for Journal.

  • Create and implement marketing plans aiming to increase advertising revenue for AFSA by securing new clients and ensuring that current clients renew.
  • Negotiate and finalize contracts with advertisers, liaising with advertisers to ensure the integrity and prompt delivery of all related files and payments.
  • Respond to client needs, providing superior customer service.
  • Coordinate with editorial team to maximize opportunities for special advertising supplements and develop special marketing campaigns to bring in new advertisers.
  • Design, produce and revise all advertising/marketing materials including the Media Kit, rate cards and campaign materials.
  • Manage the contracting and invoicing process. This includes entering contract data int. CRM, and, in coordination with Accounting, processing and mailing invoices, and pursuing overdue payments.
  • According to the production schedule, prepare ad space and placement requirements for each month’s issue, serving as liaison with advertisers and ensuring that correctly formatted ad files are provided in time.
  • Manage and track all ads through the Journal production process, coordinating closely with the editorial team.
  • Devise and manage marketing campaigns to grow the base of non-member subscribers. Increase student and gift subscriptions.
  • Track circulation and respond to member and outside subscriber inquiries.

Applicant Must Have

  • At least five years of experience with advertising sales and marketing for a publication, with documented record of closing sales.
  • Strong skills in organization, communication and business writing.
  • Ability to work with internal teams and external clients in a deadline-driven environment.

Desired

  • Understanding of the Foreign Service and an interest in diplomacy.
  • Experience with InDesign and Photoshop.

To Apply

Please e-mail your resume and a detailed cover letter that explains why you are interested in and qualified for this position to jobs@afsa.org. Compensation is based on salary plus commission. AFSA offers an excellent benefits package and collegial working environment. No calls please.

Applications will be accepted through July 26, 2019.

AFSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Awards and Scholarships Coordinator

The American Foreign Service Association is hiring for a full-time position at its headquarters in Foggy Bottom (2101 E St NW) to coordinate the association’s scholarships and awards program.

Applications will be accepted until July 26, 2019.

The Organization

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), created in 1924, is the professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s 16,800 members include active and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists primarily at the Department of State as well as at the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

For more information about AFSA, please go to www.AFSA.org.

The Position and Its Principal Responsibilities

The awards coordinator is the primary staff lead on four major AFSA programs: scholarships, awards, the AFSA memorial wall, and the National High School Essay Contest.

  • Scholarships: An annual program that includes a financial aid as well as a merit component. Coordinator sets the schedule for each year’s competition, arranges judging panels, takes lead on the online software used to manage the program, liaises with applicants and winners, organizes part of the annual FS community scholarship ceremony, and is main POC for the association’s scholarships committee.
  • Awards Program: AFSA offers five categories of awards: Lifetime, dissent, performance, language and writing. The first three are presented at an annual ceremony, which the coordinator organizes. In addition, the coordinator schedules judging panels, sets the deadlines for the year, works with interlocutors at the State Department, interacts with donors, and is the lead POC for the association’s awards committee.
  • Memorial Ceremony: Manages the annual ceremony honoring fallen members of the Foreign Service, which takes places in early May each year. Includes managing selection of honorees, interacting the interlocutors at the State Department, sensibility and empathy for family and friends of the fallen, and ability to use good judgment in often emotional or challenging situations.
  • Essay Contest: Leads this successful contest, now in its 22nd year. Collaborates with sponsors, sets deadlines, manages reader and judging panels, works with winners/runners-up, and has overall strategic oversight regarding the essay topic.

Required Skills and Characteristics

  • A college degree.
  • Some understanding of the Foreign Service is desirable but not required.
  • The ability to obtain a State Department badge.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to understand and apply criteria.
  • Ability to manage a process through committee discussion and decision-making.
  • High emotional intelligence.
  • Superb interpersonal skills.
  • First-rate organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage three large ceremonies with the attendant physical requirements.

Compensation

The salary range for this full-time position is $42,000-46,000 with very competitive benefits.

To Apply

Please send an email with the subject line “Awards and Scholarships.” Include a detailed cover letter that explains why you are interested in and qualified for this position and your resume to jobs@afsa.org.

AFSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Coordinator for Member Recruitment and Benefits

The American Foreign Service Association is recruiting an individual with strong understanding of the Foreign Service to serve as Coordinator for Member Recruitment and Benefits in its office in Washington, DC. This is a part-time (75%) position.

Applications will be accepted until July 26, 2019.

The Organization

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), created in 1924, is the professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s 16,500 members include active and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists primarily at the Department of State as well as at the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

For more information about AFSA, please go to www.AFSA.org.

The Position and its Principal Responsibilities

The incumbent will have the following duties:

  • Invigorate the association’s member recruitment efforts, with a particular focus on retiree members
  • Participate in all member-focused events at the association
  • Work with the Foreign Service Institute to improve coordination on retirement seminars and programs
  • Re-examine the association’s membership benefits and identify possible new benefits
  • Conceive and plan new types of member-focused events

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

  • A knowledge of the Foreign Service
  • Experience in a member-focused association
  • Good knowledge of basic computer programs and the Microsoft Office suite
  • A positive, energetic attitude in dealing with potential new members
  • A good understanding of what encourages people to join organizations and how to harness possibilities

Occasional telework will be considered for this position.

To Apply

Please email a detailed cover letter that explains why you are interested in and qualified for this position and your resume, along with a brief writing sample, to jobs@afsa.org.

AFSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Labor Management Advisor

The American Foreign Service Association is recruiting an individual with strong understanding of the Foreign Service, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the other Foreign Affairs Agencies, and the Foreign Service Act (and related laws and regulations) to serve as Labor Management Advisor in its office at USAID.

Applications will be accepted until July 22, 2019.

The Organization

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), created in 1924, is the professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s 16,500 members include active and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists primarily at the Department of State as well as at the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

AFSA is also a labor union, serving as the exclusive representative of members of the Foreign Service. AFSA negotiates with the management of the principal U.S. Government foreign affairs agencies on personnel policies and practices affecting members’ working conditions, and represents members in formal grievance proceedings, office of security and inspector general investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and EEO cases.

For more information about AFSA, please go to www.AFSA.org.

The Position and its Principal Responsibilities

The Labor Management Advisor serves as grievance litigator and counselor on all constituency complaints for USAID and, as required, for members of other foreign affairs agencies. The Senior Labor Management Advisor provides advice to, and otherwise supports, the Vice President for USAID on negotiations with the agency about rules, regulations, and policy on a daily basis. The position reports to the Labor Management Counselor.

  • Grievance Counseling: Counsel and litigate on behalf of members of the Foreign Service in a wide variety of complex employment-related issues, including grievances: low ranking, performance evaluations, tenure issues, selection out, denial of financial benefits, promotion, discipline, medical, etc. Advise employees regarding appropriate relief, remedies, and discovery. Negotiate settlements of employee complaints and grievances.
  • Collective Bargaining: Provide high-level support to AFSA Vice President for USAID in analyzing and formulating bargaining positions; draft proposals and counter proposals; support AFSA negotiators in briefing and negotiation sessions. Support the principal negotiator on all Framework, Memorandum of Understanding, and Collective Bargaining Agreements for USAID. Represent AFSA in Implementation Disputes and Unfair Labor Practices.
  • Member Assistance: Work to solve member problems with USAID management and administrative offices. Resolve problems informally, when possible, through liaison with established contacts. Answer employee inquiries and concerns on various issues including benefits and allowances in the form of phone calls, emails, letters, and memoranda, and at AFSA recruitment luncheons.
  • USAID Regulations: Respond to member inquiries on USAID regulations and procedures, providing advice and guidance on interpretation and implementation, as required. Where interpretation of regulations is at issue, discuss with USAID officials and internal AFSA sources to provide advice to members.

Required Skills and Characteristics

  • A college degree.
  • Experience in or knowledge of the Foreign Service.
  • Understanding and experience with Foreign Service HR and personnel issues strongly desired.
  • The ability to obtain a security clearance, if necessary.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Superb interpersonal skills.
  • A high degree of integrity and discretion.
  • Legal or Human Resources background a plus.

Compensation

The salary range for this full-time position is $65,000-75,000 with excellent benefits. USAID retirees strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants seeking part-time employment (25+ hours per week) will be considered.

To Apply

Please email a detailed cover letter that explains why you are interested in and qualified for this position and your resume, along with a brief writing sample, to afsa@state.gov.

AFSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

AFSA Employee Handbook