The U.S. Mission in Accra, Ghana is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Shipping and Expediting Supervisor in the General Services Office (GSO) of the Embassy.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The incumbent coordinates complete operational functions for the management of the Customs, Shipping and Expediting units. Supervises and assigns work to seven (7) Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff). Facilitates and coordinates incoming and outgoing shipments for Mission employees and official government cargo.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•   The incumbent provides guidance, trainings and mentors seven (7) employees using commonly used shipping and transport terminology and procedures. Directs the implementation of special (e.g. pets, motor vehicles, firearms) shipments requirements and arrangements. Provides clarification of Department of State Transportation regulation authorities for the European Logistical Support Office (ELSO), Despatch Agent (DA), Consolidated Receiving Point (CRP) and Vienna Convention as it relates to diplomatic shipments, problem resolution, packing, insurance and shipment considerations. Oversees and directs International through Government Bill of Lading (ITGBL) and Diplomatic Pack and Crate (DPM) methods of shipments. Advises on the procedures for special and overweight shipments
arrangements. Provides guidance on filing claims for damage/loss and assists with preparation of documentation to support claims. Prepares cost analysis for direct and cost construct transportation arrangements.

•   Determines the need for, type of and number of copies of each form required for the various types of shipments. Assists Mission personnel with documentation and general information on shipments, as well as, assistance in the preparation of various forms. Ensures that forms are processed through the appropriate Ghanaian Government offices (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Customs Excise & Preventive Services (CEPS), Ministry of Trade & Industries (MTI), Ghana Immigration Services (GIS) etc.). Maintains contact with working level personnel from a variety of Government, Ministries, and Departments & Agencies (MDA’s), as well as commercial freight forwarding companies at the airport and seaport. Recommends best routing and freight/forward carriers for all outgoing airfreight and surface shipments.

•   Develops and maintains tracking procedures for notification to employees on the status of shipments and payment requirements for overweight shipments. Oversees weekly publication of spreadsheet use by General Services Office (GSO) shipping to track shipments associated paperwork of personal effects and government cargo. Reviews and clears all notification of shipment en route cables; ensures management controls are in place to maintain shipping and expeditor logbooks, expeditor shift schedule, and booking of containers for exportation of Household Goods (HHE) and Privately Owned Vehicles (POVs), as well as booking at airport.

•   Performs adhoc reviews, and supervises tax exemptions of locally purchased items, including petroleum products and Post office parcels. Oversees tarmac passes for diplomatic courier and vehicle that transport Mission diplomatic pouches; manages the expediting process of Mission personnel at airport and performs other duties that may be assigned by the General Services Officer.

Qualification Required & Experience

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.

•   EDUCATION: Completion of secondary school is required. Proficiency Certificate in Freight Forwarding from the Customs Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS) is required.
•   EXPERIENCE: Minimum of two years of clerical or other experience in Shipping and Transportation is required including minimum of two years supervisory experience is required.
•   LANGUAGE: English Level 4 (Fluency; speaking/reading/writing) is required. Good working knowledge of written and spoken English is required. Demonstrated proficiency in Twi, Ga or Ewe). (Language proficiency will be tested.)
•   SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Must have a good understanding of U. S. regulations and procedure as they apply to shipping and customs. Level 2 typing ability (more than 40WPM) and knowledge of using Microsoft office applications is required. Must have a valid local driver’s license (Class B)
•   JOB KNOWLEDGE: Must have detailed knowledge of host country regulations and procedures governing the import and export of property.

SELECTION PROCESS:

When qualified, applicants who are U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and/or preference-eligible U.S. Veterans are given a preference in hiring. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants make themselves known as having a hiring preference and specifically address the required qualifications above in their application.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

(1) USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
(2) USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
(3) FS on LWOP

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management may consider 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 a security clearance.
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.

Salary: GH¢42,848 p.a. (Starting salary)


Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above); and
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, certificates, degrees, etc.)

WHERE TO APPLY:

Human Resources Office U.S. Embassy Mailing Address:

Human Resources Office
Through the Mailroom Chancery
American Embassy, Accra
P. O. Box 194, Accra

FAX Number: 0302-741389
Telephone: 0302-741000
E-mail Address: AccraHRO@state.gov

Closing Date: 08 February, 2016

NOTE: ALL U.S. AND NON-GHANAIAN CITIZENS, WHO ARE NOT FAMILY MEMBERS OF USG EMPLOYEES OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED TO POST AND UNDER CHIEF OF MISSION AUTHORITY, MUST ATTACH COPIES OF THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO THEIR APPLICATIONS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. NO RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE PROVIDED TO THE JOB LOCATION: ACCRA, GHANA. IF TRANSPORTATION TO ACCRA IS REQUIRED, IT WILL BE THE EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSIBILITY.

IMPORTANT: Applicants claiming a U.S. Veteran’s preference must submit written documentation confirming eligibility (e.g., Member Copy 4 of Form DD-214, Letter from the Veteran’s Administration, or certification documenting eligibility under the VOW Act with an expected discharge no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted) by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veteran’s preference will not be considered in the application process. Specific criteria for receiving a U.S. Veteran’s preference may be found in HR/OE’s Family Member Employment Policy (FMEP).

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.