Summary
Date Posted: Saturday, October 07 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Duties
• Commercial Specialist is responsible for representing the United States Department of Commerce (USDOC), United States and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) in Country/Region. Serves as a professional analyst and advisor to the U.S. staff in planning, organizing, and administering programs to facilitate the marketing of U.S. goods and services. Assists U.S. firms by developing and organizing marketing strategies, including market research and reporting, planning trade promotion events, identifying, and leveraging trade opportunities, and bringing U.S. and host country business representatives together. Develops and maintains key professional and social relationships (mid-to-high levels) to exchange information and gain cooperation and knowledge on substantive trade and commercial matters. Analyzes market trends and evaluates market research involving the sectors for which responsible. Performs research and prepares highly complex factual analysis on a variety of matters affecting U.S. exports and trade in assigned industry sectors. Advises U.S. and host-country clients on each other’s regulation as they affect trade and investment opportunities. Informs host country officials and business organizations about U.S. legislation, regulation and practices pertaining to foreign investment, all with limited supervision. Develops proposed solutions U.S, companies can pursue to enter the market or advance their engagement in the market. Prepares materials and briefings designed to influence companies to pursue proposed solutions. Is responsible for developing and implementing inbound investment promotions events and activities within their sectors of responsibility. Advocates for U.S. trade interests by implementing projects, identifying appropriate actions, and resolving trade problems. Investigates trade complaints in assigned industry sectors and makes recommendations for resolution. The incumbent has responsibility for the complex and strategic industrial sectors representing high potential for U.S. exporters and that require critical advocacy and addressing complex market-access issues. Assigned industry sectors generally include complex sectors, such as (but not limited to) Aerospace, Defense, Information Technologies, Medical Equipment, Energy, Safety & Security, Automotive, Environmental Technologies, Industrial Equipment, etc. Serves as a mentor or serves as a team lead for junior staff, interns and/or contractors who could benefit from additional training and support. Shares knowledge to foster electronic engagement in support of the agency’s mission. Supervision is provided by the Regional Senior Commercial Officer/ Senior Commercial Officer/ Deputy Senior Commercial Officer/ Commercial Officer or LE Supervisory Commercial Specialist. The incumbent has full technical responsibility for assignments, based on established guidelines and works mostly independently in accomplishing the work.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
• EXPERIENCE: Minimum four (4) years of work experience in business, government, or industry association in one or more fields of marketing, international trade, economics, trade promotions, project management, and marketing analysis/research that includes significant analysis and report writing.
• JOB KNOWLEDGE: Thorough knowledge of the host country’s economy, commercial and industrial structures, business and industry customs and practices, trade and investment laws, regulation, and policies. Comprehensive working knowledge of international trade (terms and procedures). Significant understanding of legislation, rules and regulations affecting trade and investment.
• Education Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in business management, economics, marketing, international trade or international affair or host country equivalent is required.

• Evaluations:
• LANGUAGE: Fluent English Speaking, Reading and Writing is required.
• SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong interpersonal skills, salesmanship, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, judgement and proactively assessing obstacles and identifying solutions to ensure programmatic success is essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) to create documents and spreadsheets, maintain and update databases, and develop presentations. Good keyboarding skill is required.

• EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): 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.
• Qualifications:
• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
• Benefits and Other Info
• Benefits:
• Agency Benefits:
• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Lusaka, Zambia may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.
• Other Information:
• HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: 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:
1. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **
• IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability dated within the past six months, equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
• ** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
• For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 48

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure

• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust – Background Investigation clearance.
• To apply for this position, click the “Submit Application” button. For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.
Required Documents:
• To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.

All Applicants:
• Residency and/or Work Permit
• Degree (not transcript)
• Driver’s License
• Certificate or License

Eligible Family Member Applicants:
• Copy of Sponsor’s Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Passport copy
• DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

Next Steps:
• Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
• For further information – the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
• Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Lusaka, Zambia.

• Interested and qualified? Click here to apply

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