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 U.S. Agency for Global Media. 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.
The American Foreign Service Association seeks a full-time Deputy Editor for its flagship publication, The Foreign Service Journal, to serve at AFSA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The position includes the option of flexible telework up to three days a week. Applications will be accepted through January 5, 2024.
The Organization
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), created in 1924, is the professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA is also a labor union, serving as the exclusive representative of members of the 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.
The Position
The Deputy Editor plays a significant role in shaping The Foreign Service Journal, working with the Publications Director/Editor in Chief and Editorial Board to plan future editions and manage all aspects of the Journal’s content development. The Deputy Editor utilizes Editorial Board input and research to identify themes and authors and commission Focus articles, features, cover stories, and opinion pieces, serving as primary liaison with authors ahead of submission. The Deputy Editor will strengthen the synergy between the print and online versions of the magazine, with a particular focus on strategic repurposing—to expand the reach and impact of the magazine. This includes raising awareness and boosting usage of the FSJ Digital Archive inside and outside the FS community. The role will also include writing. This position reports to the Publications Director/Editor in Chief and supervises the Associate Editor. The Deputy Editor fills in for the EIC in her absence.
Compensation and Benefits
AFSA is an equal-opportunity employer.
Primary Responsibilities
Required Skills and Characteristics:
Desirable Skills include:
To Apply
Please email your resume and a detailed cover letter to jobs@afsa.org (subject line: Deputy Editor). Include links to writing samples in the cover letter. The deadline is January 5, 2024. No calls, please.