Labor Specialist (Political, Labor and Economic Specialist) at U.S. Embassy South Africa

Duties

• The Labor/Political-Economic Specialist is an integral part of the mission team as the sole Locally Employed Staff in the Consulate’s Political/Economic Section, and particularly with a labor focus in the broader Mission team.
• The position maintains high-level contacts within the provincial and local governments (up to the Ministerial level) in the Consulate’s area of responsibility (AOR), with labor unions and federations spread throughout the country, along with business leaders, academia, and think tanks.
• Additionally, the position independently researches and assists with reporting on labor viewpoints and policies for Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to support Post’s Regional Labor Officer (RLO).
• The position also advances the Consulate's trade-investment partnerships in the Gauteng, Free State, and Northwest provinces.
• The position writes cables and analytical reports for the interagency audience, and briefs on a wide range of political, economic, and labor issues to the Pol/Econ officers, Consul General, senior Mission South Africa staff, and Washington visitors.
• Position is supervised by the Political-Economic Chief/Regional Labor Officer.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE:  

• Minimum five years of prior work experience within the public or private sectors in the fields of South African politics and/or regional Southern Africa political analysis, economic research and/or trade promotion, social science research, journalism, law, or international relations required.
• Prior experience working on labor relations/labor rights is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: 

• In-depth knowledge of South Africa’s, particularly the provinces within the Consulate’s AOR, political and economic realities, political/economic institutions, government structures, political parties, organizations, and historical developments.
• Additionally, an extensive knowledge of South Africa's labor market and dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as socio-economic and political issues is required.
• The ability to identify and cultivate relationships with key decision makers and leaders in labor, government, business, academia, and civil society is required.
• Candidate must have a full grasp of the ANC tripartite alliance and its governing structure, including within COSATU.

Education Requirements:

Mandatory: 

• Bachelor's degree in labor studies, economics, international relations, politics, or law is required.