OPEN TO:                  All interested candidates

POSITION:                LEGAL ADVISOR, FSN-11, FP-4*

OPENING DATE:      March 27, 2018

CLOSING DATE:      April 9, 201

WORK HOURS:        Full-time, 40 hours/week

 

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. 

The U.S. Mission in Sofia, Bulgaria is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Legal Advisor with the Department of Justice, Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), based in Sofia.

 BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

The incumbent serves as a Legal Program Advisor for the United States Department of Justice Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (DOJ OPDAT) based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Its role is to develop and promote the Rule of Law by administering technical and developmental assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of Bulgarian justice sector institutions and law enforcement to address corruption.   The Legal Advisor will work closely with the Resident Legal Advisor to support anti-corruption institutions, introduce procedural and substantive reforms, provide mentorship and guidance to anti-corruption officials and develop skills development programs for officials working to combat corruption at all levels of government. The core function of the FSN position is to assist and advise the RLA on policy, law enforcement and legal matters, develop relevant contacts and partners in the Bulgarian government as well as to determine, prepare and implement proposals and strategies for the RLA’s activities, objectives and goals in Bulgaria.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.  Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

1. EDUCATION:

Master’s degree in law or international law.

2. WORK EXPERIENCE:

Five years’ experience in legal or government work, particularly criminal law or rule of law.

3. LANGUAGE:

Level 4 English (fluent) in speaking, reading, and writing is required, including extensive knowledge of legal terminology in English. Testing of English language proficiency will be performed.

Level 4 Bulgarian (fluent) in speaking, reading and writing required.

4. KNOWLEDGE:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the various judicial systems and relevant legislation, current events in politics, legal reform of the EU and non EU countries, including a familiarity with their codes of criminal law and procedure, excellent understanding of basic principles of EU law and structures, experienced in legal research, especially electronic research tools (e.g., Lexis, Westlaw).
• Broad knowledge of political and legal leaders and key political governmental, and law enforcement institutions and hierarchies in Bulgaria.

5. SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong legal research and analytical skills as well as problem solving and planning abilities. The problems to be solved are typical of those which a lawyer working in a private law firm, government agency, or international organization must address on a daily basis – that is, they are highly complex and conceptual, thus requiring a high level of analytical skills and judgment, and they vary considerably but most frequently involve application of international legal norms.
• Ability to manage overlapping and competing tasks, requiring prioritizing and good time-management skills.
• Experienced in all aspects of program planning (daily, weekly, quarterly and annually).
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with government and non-government officials.
• Good judgment and solid organizational skills to prioritize and manage work on multiple projects and to manage arrangements for meetings, visits and training.
• Initiative in managing and developing projects is a must, but ability is also required to work as a team member.
• Ongoing requirement to develop new ideas, approaches, methods, and solve pending issues.
• Excellent research and computer skills is a must;
• Some travel within and outside the beneficiary country will be required as well as flexibility to work outside regular working hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:  The complete position description listing all of the duties and responsibilities may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office:

Sofia_Applications@state.gov; Tel: (+359) (2) 937-5233/5136; Fax: (+359) (2) 937-5231

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: When qualified, applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

  HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP**

IMPORTANT:  Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.  If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process.  Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management may consider any of the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
4. The candidate must be able to obtain and hold а non-sensitive local security certification.
5. Candidates who are EFMs, USEFMs, AEFMs, or MOHs must have at least one year remaining on their sponsor’s tour of duty to be considered eligible to apply for this position.

HOW TO APPLY:  Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered: Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

1. It is strongly recommended to apply using the Universal Application for Employment (UAE) Form DS-174, which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above); or
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae in English that provides the same information found on the UAE (see Appendix B); or
3. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; plus
4. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, etc.)

 WHERE TO APPLY:

Human Resources Office         U.S. Embassy Sofia
E-mail Address:                        Sofia_Applications@state.gov
FAX Number:                           (+359) (2) 937-5231
Mailing Address:                      U.S. Embassy Sofia, Human Resources Office, 16 Kozyak, 1408 Sofia

Please submit your application by e-mail, post mail or fax.  Hand delivered applications will not be accepted.

Only applications received in the Human Resources Office before the closing date of this job notice will be considered. Only short–listed candidates will be contacted for testing and interview.

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:  The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.  The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.  The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation.  Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

Appendix A – DEFINITIONS

Eligible Family Member (EFM):  An EFM for employment purposes is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

• S. Citizen or not a U.S. Citizen; and
• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); or
• Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support; or
• Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; or
• Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support; and
• Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
• Is under chief of mission authority.

U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM):  A USEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

• U.S. Ctizen; and
• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; and
• Listed on

(a)  Travel orders of a sponsoring employee who is assigned (not TDY) to a U.S. mission abroad under Chief of Mission authority, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or

(b)  Approved Form OF-126, Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report (or other agency equivalent), of a sponsoring employee who is assigned (not TDY) to a U.S. mission abroad under Chief of Mission authority, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan, and is residing at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad.

• The following categories of employees are also considered to be USEFMs for employment purposes if they meet the definition above:

(a) Foreign Service Generalists or Specialists on approved LWOP;

(b) Civil Service employees with re-employment rights to their agency/bureau; or

(c)  Foreign Service or Civil Service annuitants.

Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM):  An AEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizen; and
• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
• Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
• Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and
• Is under chief of mission authority; and
• Is residing at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
• Does NOT currently receive a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.

Member of Household (MOH):  An individual who accompanies or joins a sponsoring employee, i.e., sponsor is a direct hire employee under Chief of Mission authority, either Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad at a U.S. mission, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan.  A MOH is an individual who meets the following criteria:

• Not an EFM and therefore not on the travel orders or approved through form OF-126 Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report of the sponsoring employee; and
• Officially declared by the sponsoring U.S. Government employee to the Chief of Mission (COM) as part of his or her household and approved by the COM; and
• Is a parent, grandparent, grandchild, unmarried partner, adult child, foreign born child in the process of being adopted, father, mother, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister who falls outside the Department’s current definition of Eligible Family Member 14 FAM 511.3. A MOH may or may not be a U.S. Citizen.

Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:

• An EFM, USEFM or AEFM of a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned or stationed abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or
• Has diplomatic privileges and immunities; and
• Is eligible for compensation under the FS or GS salary schedule; and
• Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN); and
• Is not a citizen of the host country; and
• Does not ordinarily reside in the host country; and
• Is not subject to host country employment and tax laws.

Ordinarily Resident (OR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:

• A citizen of the host country; or
• A non-citizen of the host country (including a U.S. citizen or a third-country national) who is locally resident and has legal and/or permanent resident status within the host country and/or who is a holder of a non-diplomatic visa/work and/or residency permit; and/or
• Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.

By U.S. Embassy Sofia | 27 March, 2018 | Topics: Embassy, Job Opportunities, News | Tags: Embassy, job opportunities