Political Specialist

The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam is seeking a Political Specialist to support the Political and Economic (P-E) Section. The successful candidate will analyze political, democracy, and governance developments in Tanzania and provide timely information, reporting, and advice to U.S. Embassy leadership and other U.S. government stakeholders.

The role involves developing and maintaining a wide network of contacts across government, Parliament, civil society, religious organizations, academia, think tanks, international NGOs, and other relevant institutions. The specialist will also support official meetings and visits, prepare analytical reports, provide interpretation when required, and identify opportunities to advance U.S. interests and priorities related to democracy and governance.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the U.S. Embassy’s analysis, reporting, and advisory work on political, democracy, and governance issues in Tanzania.

  

• Develop and maintain contacts with government officials, including senior government officials, civil society and religious leaders, academics, think tanks, and international NGOs.

• Facilitate meetings between Embassy officers and key Tanzanian stakeholders.

  

• Gather information from contacts to support Embassy reporting and maintain access to important officials and sources.

• Draft diplomatic notes to arrange official meetings and advance U.S. priorities.

  

• Prepare and maintain biographic information on Tanzanian government officials.

• Provide interpretation during official meetings and events when required.

  

• Prepare and distribute substantive notes from official meetings.

• Research and maintain reports from local and international organizations on democracy and governance.

• Monitor local media and political and economic developments and trends.

• Prepare analytical updates, briefing memoranda, reporting cables, and other political reports.

• Work with the Political-Economic and Protocol Sections to prepare guest lists for official events and senior U.S. government visits.

• Plan and execute official meetings and travel across Tanzania.

• Coordinate the Embassy’s engagement with Parliament and members of Parliament, particularly during parliamentary sessions.

• Represent the Political-Economic Section and U.S. Mission at relevant working groups, conferences, meetings, and functions.

• Brief and advise the Political-Economic Section, Front Office, interagency partners, and Washington on democracy and governance developments.

• Assess the potential impact of political developments on U.S. interests and identify engagement and programming opportunities.

• Meet regularly with Embassy sections to assess current developments and support reporting, engagement, and programme activities.

• Advise the Political-Economic Section on development assistance priorities related to democracy and governance.

• Serve as a Grants Officer Representative for relevant democracy and governance development assistance.

• Support cooperation between the Embassy, government, and civil society organizations.

• Assist in identifying and nominating participants for U.S. government-funded training and exchange programmes.

• Perform other related duties and provide support to other section portfolios when required.

Qualifications required include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, History, Economics, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of professional experience in research, analysis, consulting, programme management, communication, and reporting.

• Relevant experience may be in law, politics, government, academia, journalism, development organizations, or international affairs.

• Level IV fluency in English, including speaking, reading, and writing, with the ability to translate English.

• Level IV fluency in Swahili, including speaking, reading, and writing, with the ability to translate Swahili.

• Detailed knowledge of Tanzania’s political, economic, and social structures and institutions.

• Knowledge of Tanzania’s historical developments, foreign relations, and key political figures.

• Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment when developing and maintaining a broad professional network.

• Ability to synthesize complex information, events, and trends into clear written and oral reports.

• Proficiency in using computers, smartphones, and tablets.

• Experience drafting, editing, and compiling information using Microsoft Office tools.

Applicants should use the U.S. Mission Electronic Recruitment Application (ERA) system and select “Apply to This Vacancy” to begin the application.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

For a copy of the complete position description or reasonable accommodation requests, applicants may contact the HR Office at [email protected].

The application deadline is 7 September 2026.