Political Assistant

About

Announcement Number:Yaounde-2026-010

Hiring Agency:Embassy Yaounde

Position Title: Political Assistant – All Interested Applicants / All Sources

Open Period:08/06/2026 – 08/21/2026

Format MM/DD/YYYY

Vacancy Time Zone: GMT+1Series/

Grade: LE – 1605 8

Salary: XAF FCFA13,507,338 /Per Year

Work Schedule: Full-time – 40 hours per week.

Promotion Potential:LE-8

Duty Location(s):1 Vacancy in

Yaounde, CM

Telework Eligible: No For More Info: HR Section
000-000-0000
ydeapplicants@state.gov

Overview

Hiring Path:• Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:This position is open to All Interested Applicants / All Sources

FP grade is 06. Actual FP salary authorized by Washington, D.C.Security Clearance Required:

Public Trust – Background Investigation

Appointment TypePermanent

Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period.

Marketing Statement:

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.

Summary:

The U.S. Mission in Cameroon is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Political Assistant position in the Political/Economic section.

Supervisory Position: No Relocation

Expenses Reimbursed:No

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Duties

Under the Political/Economic Section Chief and direct supervision of the Political Officer, the Political Assistant serves as the Embassy’s in-house expert on Cameroonian politics and society. The Political Assistant conducts research, analysis, and reporting on internal political developments, external relations, and biographical matters affecting U.S. interests in Cameroon. Duties include drafting cables, speeches, and reports on political, human rights, and security topics, as well as building and maintaining relationships with government officials, civil society leaders, and other key contacts. The Political Assistant supports Front Office and Political/Economic Section colleagues through briefings, meeting preparation, and outreach activities, and contributes to major annual reports such as the International Religious Freedom Report and Country Reports on Terrorism.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

Internal Political Analysis: Conducts research, drafts cables, and prepares reports on religious freedom, political-military affairs, counterterrorism, rule of law, corruption, and other political issues affecting Cameroon. Works both independently and with Political/Economic Section colleagues to compile first drafts of complex reports, including the annual International Religious Freedom Report and Country Reports on Terrorism. Facilitates ongoing relationships with public officials and civil society actors, and maintains up-to-date knowledge of Cameroon’s legal and institutional framework. Backs up the Political Specialist and assists with the internal political portfolio.

 

External Relations Analysis: Observes and reports on Cameroon’s relationships with the United States, third countries, and international organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, and la Francophonie. Analyzes the foreign policy implications of Cameroonian domestic developments and forecasts future political and social trends to advise embassy officers.

 

Oral Briefing and Presentations: Provides planned and impromptu briefings—both written and verbal—to the Front Office, Political/Economic Section colleagues, and other audiences. Prepares briefing checklists ahead of key meetings and provides context to the Front Office during media engagements.

 

Outreach and Contact Development: Establishes and maintains senior- and mid-level contacts across government, political parties, unions, security services, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Prepares groundwork materials, talking points, and biographical notes for official meetings and regional trips, and accompanies officers to engagements conducted in English or French. Schedules meetings, escorts officers to demarches at government ministries, and prepares meeting reports. Represents the embassy at public events to build new contacts and communicate U.S. policy.

 

Biographical Reporting: Gathers and analyzes biographical information on individuals of interest to the U.S. government. Builds and maintains unclassified biographical files, tracks the career development of emerging Cameroonian figures, and verifies reports and translations prepared by other section staff.

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Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:

 

• • Security certificate; or

 

• • Public Trust – background investigation security clearance.

 

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements:

A Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Economics or Journalism is required.

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents.  Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed.  If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications:

Experience:  A minimum of three (3) years of experience in an international institution or any organization that executes international programs/policy (e.g. NGO, IO, or Embassy), including at least one year of political reporting.

 

Language:  Fluent (speaking, reading, writing) in English and French is required.  This may be tested.

 

Job Knowledge:  A good understanding of the customs and cultures of Cameroon. A good understanding of Cameroonian political, economic, and diplomatic practices ; including social and government structures, institutions, political parties, historical development, key problem areas, and major political figures.

 

Familiar with U.S. foreign policy and objectives for Cameroon and the background of the U.S. presence in the country. An understanding of section reporting requirements and office procedures.

 

Skills And Abilities:  Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple projects at once, while staying on-task. Ability to complete tasks accurately, in an expedient manner. Tact and diplomacy to deal with local government authority, must have excellent communication skills to be able to get sensitive information.

 

Ability to analyze and process political and economic issues and inter-related political, economic, and social forces/events at work in-country and how they relate to U.S. foreign policy, as well as how they will affect the host country and U.S. foreign policy objectives in the near- and long-term. Evaluate and analyze data for the preparation of reports for submission to the Department. Ability to determine relevance/truth of materials. Develop, maintain, manage and organize an extensive range of high-level and mid-level contacts within and outside of the country. Independently draft concise, factual, and useful reports. Plan and manage regular, independent research projects that are relevant to section needs. Submit the final results of independent projects to section officers.

 

 

 

This may be tested.

 

How to Apply

How to Apply:

Click the “Apply to This Vacancy” button at the top of the page to begin your application.  For an instructional video on how to apply click here.

Please address all relevant experience, education, language skills (including English), and job related skills or requirements in your application.

You may edit your application any time before the vacancy closing date. If you fail to submit a complete application by the vacancy closing date of this vacancy, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

For a copy of the complete position description, please contact the HR Office.

To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the HR Office.

Required Documents:

All Applicants:

• • Residency Permit (if applicable)

• • Work Permit (if applicable)

• • University Degree (or equivalent.

• • Work Attestation(s)

In addition, Eligible Family Member (EFM) Applicants must submit:

• • Copy of Sponsor’s Travel 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:

Once the Vacancy Announcement (VA) closes:

Applications meeting the minimum education and experience requirements will be screened by HR Office and the Selecting Official(s).

ONLY shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email for mandatory language and/or subject matter tests.

ONLY successful tested applicants will be contacted by email for interviews.

ONLY tested and/or interviewed applicants will be notified by email of the results.

 

For Selected Applicants:

HR Office will send a Conditional Offer with the security certification and medical clearance requirements.

The security certification is a 2–4-month process and is done by the Regional Security Office (RSO), who will contact the applicant once he/she completes the requirements provided with the Conditional Offer.

The medical clearance is covered by the U.S. Embassy, and will be completed by the applicant separately, during the security certification process.

Once HR Office receives the medical clearance and the security certification, the applicant will receive a Formal Offer with an agreed start date.

For more information on applying for jobs or employment with us, please visit the U.S. Mission website https://cm.usembassy.gov/jobs/#apply.

Thank you for your application and your interest in working with us.