Office of eDiplomacy (IRM/EDIP)

The Office of eDiplomacy (EDIP) seeks to promote the creative and innovative use of 21st-century web 2.0 tools to advance U.S. diplomacy. The office imagines, creates, advocates for, and educates on platforms for working collaboratively and sharing knowledge across all of State’s diverse communities. The Office of eDiplomacy uses innovative new media tools to provide creative, lightweight, and user-friendly solutions that are easily adaptable to region-specific needs and job functions. It oversees creative outreach-oriented programs such as the Virtual Student Foreign Service, the networking site for Foreign Service professionals, Corridor, and the Department’s Innovation Fund for promoting creative, high-impact use of existing technology.

2017-08-08T14:03:05-04:00

Information Resource Management (IRM)

The mission of the Bureau of Information Resource Management is to rapidly and securely deliver anytime, anywhere, the knowledge resources and Information Technology services needed for the Department of State’s diplomatic team worldwide to accomplish the foreign affairs mission of the United States. This mission requires a workforce with a diverse skill set that combines strong technical skills with the ability to think analytically and use Information Technology as a strategic tool. Key offices include:

  • Office of External Affairs (IRM/EA): establishes, develops and expands long-term strategic and collaborative relationships with key U.S. and foreign government, industry, and multinational partners, engaging in national and international cyber security initiatives.
  • Strategic Planning Office (IRM/SPO): has a broad scope that requires a wide variety of IT skills and disciplines. Applicants will have a unique opportunity to view the entire Department of State IT landscape and to interact with IT managers and professionals throughout IRM and other bureaus.
  • Systems Integration Office (IRM/SIO): offers Department-wide applications and systems development and maintenance, systems integration services, data management, and a variety of innovative technologies.
  • Messaging Systems Office (IRM/MSO): develops, tests, and manages classified and unclassified mobile and desktop messaging systems that allow effective communications between all elements of the Department.
  • Office of IT Infrastructure (IRM/ITI): directs and manages the development, maintenance, installation, modernization and operations of the Department’s physical IT.
  • Enterprise Network Management (IRM/ENM): provides a secure global network and infrastructure, safe from intentional attack by any aggressor, and improves network reliability, customer response times, and troubleshooting.
  • Information Assurance (IRM/IA): performs the necessary Certification and Accreditation of both networks and applications; makes information assurance policy decisions, and interprets policy based on federal regulations and the Department’s internal regulations.
2017-08-08T14:00:31-04:00

Global Talent Management (GTM)

Led by the Director General of the Foreign Service and Director for Global Talent Management (GTM), GTM carries out recruitment and examination for the Foreign Service. GTM develops and administers personnel policies and procedures of the Department, including assignments, career development, employee relations and retirement programs for both Foreign and Civil Service. GTM also coordinates the Department’s student employment programs, including the U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program and Pathways Internships. GTM publishes the Department’s monthly magazine for employees worldwide.

  • Office of the Director General (GTM/DGHR): supports the DG in accomplishing the mission of the Bureau of Global Talent Management. The Bureau of Global Talent Management (GTM) has the critical responsibility of hiring, developing, assigning, and supporting the Department of State’s greatest assets—our people. The Bureau of Global Talent Management works to provide the Department of State with fast, fair, transparent, and compassionate service, and continually strives to serve the Department better.
  • Office of Policy Coordination (GTM/PC): supports the Director General on bureau-wide issues and initiatives, serving as incubator, initiator, coordinator, and facilitator for HR policies. The staff works directly with the GTM Front Office to identify problems, brainstorm new policy initiatives, prepare for high-level decision making, and manage bureau-wide and department- wide human resources policies from inception to implementation.
  • Executive Office (GTM/EX): serves as the corporate face to a worldwide human resources management effort, providing continuous support to GTM for budget execution and formulation, travel, general services, personnel, training, internal systems, and priority GTM projects.
  • Career Development and Assignments (GTM/CDA): responsible for counseling and assigning over 12,556 Foreign Service generalists and specialists as well as non-FS personnel serving in FS positions overseas.
  • Office of Civil Service Talent Management (GTM/CSTM): primary functions and activities are staffing, career development, performance management, executive resources management, position classification, policy development, and merit systems oversight.
  • Office of Employee Relations (GTM/ER): promotes the effective use of Department human resources by developing, implementing and promoting quality of life policy and programs, maintaining human resources regulations, administering the discipline process, and communicating to employees on the work of Department people and programs.
  • Family Liaison Office (GTM/FLO): delivers services in the areas of the Community Liaison Office Program, Family Member Employment, Crisis Management, Support for Unaccompanied Tours, Education and Youth Services, and Expeditious Naturalization Support through online and in-office resources, training opportunities, planning seminars, presentations, publications, and the Community Liaison Office (CLO) program at our overseas posts.
  • Grievance Staff (GTM/G): investigates grievances and prepares recommendations, in the form of decision letters and settlement agreements, for the signature of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for GTM, for the resolution of grievances submitted under the Foreign Service Grievance System, the Civil Service Administrative Grievance System and the American Federation of Government Employees.
  • Human Resources Service Provider (GTM/HRSP): works strategically with the Global Talent Management community in identifying and responding to its changing needs. GTM/HRSP provides leadership and guidance in the development, implementation, and equitable administration of policies and procedures, thus promoting a positive work environment.
  • Human Resources Talent Services (GTM/TS): develops, coordinates, and administers the policies and procedures required to establish an integrated human resources tiered service delivery system for the Department. The system focuses on four interrelated tiers of service— online self-service tools, the GTM Service Center, Bureau GTM Service Providers, and the Bureau of Global Talent Management Corporate Office. It builds on existing GTM resources to strengthen and integrate human resources across the Department to better serve employees, enhance support to managers, and more efficiently use increasingly scarce HR resources.
  • Office of Casualty Assistance (GTM/OCA): provides administrative assistance and ongoing support following the death of a direct-hire U.S. citizen Department of State employee serving abroad or their family member, or of a Department of State employee in the United States.
  • Office of Overseas Employment (GTM/OE): formulates policies, regulations, systems and programs for the overseas employment of more than 56,000 Locally Employed Staff and family members serving the Department of State and other U.S. Government agencies at 170 U.S. Missions abroad.
  • Office of Performance Evaluation (GTM/PE): administers a Foreign Service performance evaluation system which fairly measures employee performance and potential, encourages honest feedback on employee performance and skills, distinguishes fairly between strong, average and weak performers, fosters tenure and promotion based on merit, rewards meritorious service, and separates employees who fail to meet standards.
  • Office of Talent Acquisition (GTM/TAC): GTM/TAC manages and coordinates the recruitment, examination, and selection and hiring of new Foreign Service human resources employees for the Department. Within GTM/TAC is the Office of Student Programs, which is responsible for managing pre-employment security, unpaid internship placements, fellowships, and orientations for all incoming unpaid students each season.
  • Office of Retirement (GTM/RET): administers the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System and the Foreign Service Pension System for participants of the Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies. The office issues policies and regulations and operates automated systems to manage these programs. GTM/RET determines eligibility for benefits and authorizes payment, adjustment, and termination of benefits under these programs and counsels U.S. Foreign Service employees and their families about these programs.
  • Office of Organization and Talent Analytics (GTM/OTA): provides a number of services in the areas of resource management, workforce planning, classification policy and compensation policy. GTM/OTA provides overall leadership and coordination in the development and implementation of policies, plans, procedures, and standards for classification of Foreign Service positions domestically and abroad, and for senior Foreign Service positions worldwide.
  • State Magazine (GTM/SMG): The flagship monthly periodical of the U.S. Department of State, State Magazine provides a critical window into Department operations for employees, government leaders, members of the American public, and host-country nationals in the 170+ countries where American diplomats serve around the world. As the Department adapts to new challenges in the 21st century, State Magazine will be there every step of the way, documenting and reporting on the work of those who advance U.S. foreign policy objectives through diplomacy.
2023-04-03T15:38:05-04:00

Foreign Service Institute (FSI)

Housed at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center, FSI trains Department of State and other U.S. Government agency employees involved in foreign affairs and encourages research and other studies of new and developing areas of foreign policy concerns. FSI develops training materials for total curriculum including video and multimedia-based training courses. A critical function of FSI is to provide intensive instruction in over 60 languages, for Foreign Service Officers and other government employees assigned overseas. FSI also offers a variety of area studies courses that familiarize Foreign Service personnel with the specific geographic/cultural area to which they are assigned. The Institute also assists personnel and their families going to, or returning from, overseas assignments in cross- cultural and lifestyle adaptation, in addition to family and work adjustment/readjustment.

  • Leadership and Management School (FSI/LMS): The Leadership and Management School offers mandatory and elective leadership and management training for supervisors and managers from entry to executive levels, roundtables and policy seminars for senior leaders, and crisis management training overseas and at the Shultz Center. LMS oversees the Leadership and Managing Training Continuum to ensure participation by Foreign Service and Civil Service employees and works with bureaus and overseas missions to improve organizational effectiveness and crisis management.
  • Office of Public Affairs (FSI/OPA): The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Office of Public Affairs is a fast-paced, creative and collaborative office that offers an internship experience providing insight into public diplomacy, diplomatic training and foreign affairs. The office manages FSI’s Congressional Affairs and media relations, oversees the bureau’s social media and public-facing digital engagement, and spearheads a number of programmatic campaigns and initiatives such as the Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy initiative. For additional background on our work, intern applicants can refer to www.state.gov/fsi and follow links to our social media channels.
  • School of Applied Information Technology (FSI/SAIT): The School of Applied Information Technology provides training for the Department of State’s IT workforce, end-user training and IRM Tradecraft training for all levels at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). In addition, SAIT provides training to users from other federal agencies and contractor employees on a reimbursement basis.
  • School of Language Studies (FSI/SLS): The School of Language Studies helps students enhance their language learning skills as an aid in their FSI studies and as a foundation for advancing their learning while at post. In this office, Foreign Service Officers study over 70 languages split into different areas: East Asian and Pacific languages (EAP), European and African languages (EUA), Near East, Central, and South Asian languages (NEA), Romance languages (ROM), Slavic, Pashto, and Persian languages (SPP).
  • School of Professional and Area Studies (FSI/SPAS): The School of Professional and Area Studies (SPAS) provides tradecraft, orientation, and area studies training for State Department employees, as well as employees from other U.S. government agencies. SPAS training prepares the full range of foreign affairs professionals to successfully advance U.S. government foreign policy goals and objectives by providing world class orientation and area studies training to the broadest possible community of Foreign and Civil Service professionals, as well as appropriate professional tradecraft training across all relevant fields. SPAS works with strategic partners across the Department of State, the U.S. government, and the academic and private sectors to continually deliver the highest quality training utilizing the latest knowledge about adult professional learning. SPAS provides hundreds of professional courses to all categories of Department personnel in a wide range of topics, namely, Orientation, Area Studies, Management, Consular, Public Diplomacy, Political, Economic/Commercial, and Office Management.
  • Transition Center (FSI/TC): The Transition Center (FSI/TC) helps prepare employees and their family members for effectiveness in the foreign affairs community transitions throughout, and after, their careers. It is comprised of the Training Division (TC/T), the Overseas Briefing Center (OBC), and the Career Transition Center (CTC).
2024-05-10T15:47:42-04:00

Family Liason Office (FLO)

The Family Liaison Office delivers services in the areas of the Community Liaison Office Program, Family Member Employment, Crisis Management, Support for Unaccompanied Tours, Education and Youth Services, and Expeditious Naturalization Support through online and in-office resources, training opportunities, planning seminars, presentations, publications, and the Community Liaison Office (CLO) program at our overseas posts.

2017-08-08T13:46:46-04:00

Democracy, Human Rights & Labor (DRL)

DRL develops and implements U.S. policy on democracy, human rights, international labor, and religious freedom. It leads efforts to integrate foreign assistance programming with priority foreign policy objectives and is responsible for the annual distribution of approximately $100 million of democracy and human rights foreign assistance. DRL helps build global consensus in support of democratic rule and universal human rights principles and carries out project proposal evaluation, grant administration, budget negotiations, technical coordination, and project performance review and compliance for democracy promotion and human rights grants. DRL is best known for publishing the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which provide a comprehensive assessment of human rights around the world today.

  • Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs (DRL/CRA): is responsible for, among other things, preparing the Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, and Profiles of Asylum Claims and Country Conditions. The office is solely authorized to coordinate and convey to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), which consists of immigration courts and judges, the Department’s advisory opinions on case- specific claims to asylum in the United States.
  • Office of International Religious Freedom (DRL/IRF): supports the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, a position established by law. This office is the principal advisor to the President and the Secretary of State on international religious freedom policy. DRL/IRF develops and implements U.S. policy on religious freedom abroad, including in multilateral forums.
  • Office of Policy Planning and Public Diplomacy (DRL/PPD): supports bureau principals by providing concrete strategic planning support for all Congressional, public affairs, public diplomacy, and program planning activities. In coordination with the program unit, this office oversees the compilation, drafting, and submission of all strategic planning documents, including budget proposals and performance assessments for DRL grants programs.
  • Office for Africa (DRL/AF): responsible for democracy and human rights issues facing the African region.
  • Office for East Asia and Pacific (DRL/EAP): responsible for democracy and human rights issues facing the East Asian and Pacific region.
  • Office for Near East Asia (DRL/NEA): responsible for democracy and human rights issues facing the Middle East region.
  • Office for Western Hemisphere (DRL/WHA): responsible for democracy and human rights issues facing the Western Hemispheric region.
  • Office for South Central Asia (DRL/SCA): responsible for democracy and human rights issues facing the South Central Asian region.
  • Office of Global Programming (DRL/GP): manages the Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF), and additional programs and earmarks appropriated in the Democracy Fund, Economic Support Funds, FREEDOM Support Act funds, the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund and other Iraq supplemental appropriations, Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act funds, and other such appropriations as deemed necessary to meet DRL foreign policy objectives.
  • Office of Multilateral and Global Affairs (DRL/MLGA): formulates and implements U.S. Government human rights and democracy policies in multilateral organizations, including the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC); the UN General Assembly; the UN Security Council; the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; the European Union; the Organization of American States; the African Union; the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); and other regional organizations.
  • Office of International Labor Affairs (DRL/ILA): advises on policies and initiatives promoting core worker rights, specifically the four “fundamental rights” identified by the International Labor Organization.
2020-09-03T08:32:40-04:00

Counterterrorism (CT)

Formerly the Office of the Secretary’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT), the Bureau of Counterterrorism coordinates the USG’s international counterterrorism policy to build the political will of foreign partners to combat terrorism and to assist our partners to develop practical capacities—in law enforcement, border control, and banking regulation, among others—to identify, interdict and defeat terrorists. CT engages with foreign governments and publics to reinforce policy goals; provides practical assistance to build law enforcement capacity (the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program), counterterrorism finance skills (Counterterrorism Finance Program), and border control (Terrorist Interdiction Program); and builds and sustains USG counterterrorism capabilities through the Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST) and Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). CT engages in bilateral, multilateral, and public diplomacy to deter terrorism, develops justification for the U.S. Government’s biennial designation of foreign terrorist organizations, and leads the interagency Foreign Emergency Support Team that stands ready to deploy overseas on four hours notice in the event of an international terrorist incident.

2017-08-08T13:23:35-04:00

Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO)

CSO’S MISSION
The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) helps U.S. diplomats prevent, respond to, and recover from conflict which disrupts and undermines long-term development and capacity building. We combine data analysis, qualitative assessment, and forecasting capabilities with data visualization techniques to address critical conflict dynamics. CSO brings partners and State Department capabilities together to assist, identify, and implement policy and programming activities. In short, we “map” conflict and identify and help fill “gaps” in policy and program responses.

CSO’S PRIORITIES
Preventing Destabilizing Violence
CSO addresses electoral violence, advises and monitors cease-fires and peace processes, and provides solutions to transitional civilian security challenges. To aid this critical effort, CSO created the Peace Process Support Network, consisting of 37 leading NGOs and academic institutions. These groups advise on building negotiating capacity, security guarantees, power sharing and decentralization arrangements, and peace agreement implementation. CSO also established the Stabilization Leaders Forum as a space for like-minded countries to collaborate on peacebuilding and fostering partnerships to prevent violence.

Preventing Violent Extremism
CSO produces analytic works and tools on the drivers of violent extremism. The CVE Assessment Framework identifies areas and communities at highest risk. The Monitoring and Evaluation Guide supports the integration of high-quality monitoring into programs. Analysis reports on priority countries establish baseline measures to track progress in support of the Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund. The global research network, RESOLVE (Researching Solutions to Violent Extremism) provides local research on causes of and resiliencies to violent extremism to promote effective policy and practice.

Preventing Mass Atrocities
Preventing large-scale, deliberate attacks against civilians requires a global effort and a wide range of options. As the State Department’s secretariat for atrocity prevention, CSO works to elevate attention to countries at risk of or experiencing deliberate, large-scale attacks against civilians. The bureau leads efforts to prevent and respond to atrocities by conducting risk analysis, developing diplomatic and programmatic recommendations, and measuring the impact of atrocity prevention initiatives.

CSO PERSONNEL
CSO personnel include 160 Civil Service Officers, Foreign Service Officers, U.S. military detailees, contractors, and interns. Our staff have a unique mix of skills with expertise in conflict mediation and resolution, foreign policy analysis, data visualization, and geospatial analysis.

2017-08-08T13:21:33-04:00

Administration (A)

The Bureau of Administration provides support programs to the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates. These programs include: real property and facilities management; procurement; supply and transportation; diplomatic pouch and mail services; official records, publishing, and library services; language services; setting allowance rates for U.S. Government personnel assigned abroad and providing support to the overseas schools educating their dependents; overseeing safety and occupational health matters; small and disadvantaged business utilization; and support for both White House travel abroad and special conferences called by the President or Secretary of State.

  • Office of the Executive Director (A/EX): supports the Assistant Secretary for Administration through the provision of executive management and administrative services, including management analysis, strategic planning, financial management, human resources management, procurement, and information technology services for the Bureau of Administration. A/EX also provides some of these services to several other Department of State bureaus. Internship possibilities in A/EX could encompass any of these functions.
  • Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE): establishes and reviews cutting-edge policy governing federal acquisitions and federal assistance such as grants for domestic and overseas missions. Interns working in A/OPE can expect to work on numerous challenging issues, such as researching legislation or federal regulations, drafting policy and answering relevant questions from stakeholders, including senators, congressmen, auditors, and direct contact with overseas missions and domestic bureaus.
  • Commercial Services Management (A/CSM): develops policies for acquisition initiatives dealing with the balance of the workforce between government employees and contractors; implements reporting requirements for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) dealing with the composition of the workforce, including the Federal Activities Inventory Reform (FAIR) Act report and the Service Contract Inventory.
  • Office of Emergency Management (A/OEM): provides planning, training, and exercises to ensure preparedness for the Department’s leadership and workforce to respond to and recover from all domestic hazards affecting the Department and to ensure continuation of the Department’s mission in conjunction with its partners. A/OEM is comprised of the Diplomatic Continuity Programs Division and the Planning and Preparedness Division.
  • Office of Operations (A/OPR): manages, directs, and establishes policies for diverse administrative programs including domestic real property and facility management, centralized acquisition, worldwide supply and transportation, assistance to overseas schools, language services, and the administration of foreign allowances.
    • Office of Allowances (A/OPR/ALS): develops and coordinates policies and regulations, standards and procedures for the administration of the government-wide allowances, post differentials and representational expenses for government employees assigned to foreign countries; sets rates for overseas per diem and other allowances.
    • Office of Language Services (A/OPR/LS): provides interpreting (spoken word), translating (written word), and other language services needed to conduct foreign relations with the non-English-speaking nations and peoples of the world. A/OPR/LS responds to the language needs of both the Department of State and the White House.
    • Office of Facilities Management Services (A/OPR/FMS): is responsible for the management and administration of domestic building operations and maintenance. FMS is also responsible for all domestic energy, environmental, occupational health, fire, and life safety programs.
    • Office of Real Property Management (A/OPR/RPM): is responsible for managing the Department of State’s domestic real estate assets. A/OPR/RPM provides a complete and comprehensive range of real property management services including space assignments, leasing, office and building design and construction, furniture selection, and architectural and engineering services for all domestic offices and bureaus at the Department.
  • Office of Global Information Services (A/GIS): provides executive direction and policy guidance on substantive activities to ensure that the Department and other foreign affairs agencies receive the full range of classified and unclassified information and multimedia publishing services in a cost-effective customer service-oriented manner.
    • Office of Global Publishing Solutions (A/GIS/GPS): provides centralized editorial, graphics, multimedia publishing, and distribution services, and prescribes standards for Departmental editorial, printing, and photocopier activities.
    • Office of Directives Management (A/GIS/DIR): manages a number of programs that have agency- and worldwide effects, among them: internal policies, procedures and guidance (directives); forms management; information collections (Paperwork Reduction Act – PRA); rule-making coordination; delegations of authority; Presidential determinations; and liaison with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of the Federal Register (OFR), General Services Administration (GSA), and other U.S. Government agencies.
    • Office of Information Programs and Services (A/GIS/IPS): serves as the primary point of contact and principal adviser on all matters concerning the management of information as a critical resource, specifically relating to records life cycle management, public and need- to-know access to information, classification management and declassification, privacy, research of official record and public information resources, and corporate records archives.
  • Office of Logistics Management (A/LM): provides logistics supply chain management activities including acquisition, warehousing and distribution, transportation, and property management support domestically and to every American embassy and consulate worldwide. This office’s clients both overseas and domestic are primarily from the Department of State but may also be personnel of other U.S. Government agencies involved in foreign affairs and overseas operations.
    • Office of Acquisitions Management (A/LM/AQM): provides a full range of professional contract management services. The office plans and directs domestic and overseas Department of State acquisition programs. These activities include acquisitions planning, contract negotiations, cost and pricing analysis, and contract administration to customers in support of procurement activities worldwide.
    • Office of Logistics Operations (A/LM/OPS): offers technical guidance on transportation and travel procedures, manages official travel services, coordinates the transport of household effects (HHE) and personally owned vehicles (POV) to and from posts, provides storage for personal HHE and POVs, provides material management services, and manages the overseas motor vehicles program.
    • Office of Program Management and Policy (A/LM/PMP): is responsible for worldwide management and oversight of the Department’s personal property program; Diplomatic Pouch and Mail service; professional development and implementation of logistics systems, including the Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS); logistics policy; and purchase card operations. The office also promotes and guides business process improvements for the Department’s logistics service providers.
    • Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (A/SDBU): ensures that the Department of State effectively utilizes U.S. small businesses (Small Disadvantaged, Woman-owned, Veteran- owned, Service Disabled Veteran-owned, HUBZone) in its prime contracts and subcontracts.
2017-08-08T12:00:59-04:00
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