(IEP) Student Trainee (Foreign Affairs) (Foreign Affairs)

Summary

This vacancy announcement will be open from September 14th, 2026 to September 18th, 2026 or when 100 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.

Duties

• Pathways Opportunities in Department of State: This internship within the Office of Central African Affairs (AF/C) serves as the action officer or main point of contact for two U.S. embassies in up to two countries in the Central Africa sub-region, and joins a team of two other officers and a Unit Chief overseeing six countries. The incumbent gathers and reviews information and data submitted from a wide variety of sources, including other Department offices, U.S. embassies/posts, other U.S. government (USG) agencies, international organizations, foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, or other sources then analyzes and consolidates data to develop policy options to recommend to the Director and Front Office. The incumbent monitors developments and opportunities that are relevant to assigned regional/thematic areas and works with senior officers to evaluate the impact on foreign policy issues of interest to the office /bureau. Prepares formal and informal memoranda, Briefing papers, national day remarks, Daily Action Reports, and other communications to promptly inform supervisors of new developments and opportunities. The officer frequently interacts with the AF Front Office, Africa Bureau offices and broader interagency given high-level focus on conflict resolution and trade and investment opportunities within Central Africa. The incumbent represents AF/C at intra-department and interagency meetings; liaises frequently with the Central African embassies in Washington, and commercial entities, as needed.

Qualifications

GS-7: Completion of 1 full academic year (18 minimum Credits) of Graduate-level education OR Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree; AND be currently accepted to/enrolled in a qualifying degree or certificate program.

Education

An individual who needs to complete less than the equivalent of half an academic/vocational or technical course-load immediately prior to graduating is still considered a student for the purposes of this Program. The Pathways Internship Program targets students accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, on a full or half-time basis with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school. Applicants must meet the definition of "student" in order to be considered for this opportunity. At the successful conclusion of the program, interns may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a Federal career or career-conditional position in the competitive service. Conversions to the competitive service are not guaranteed. Pathways candidates must meet the DOS qualification standards applicable to the position being filled. All applicants must meet the qualifications by the closing date of this announcement. Cumulative GPA of 2.0 at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment; Degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however to be eligible, candidate must meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted. Certificate Requirements: Undergraduate certificates must contain a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. Graduate certificates must contain a minimum of 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school. The Department of State no longer accepts certificates that are credited with Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. Student means an individual accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled), including awardees of the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Program under Public Law 93-842. Students need not be in actual physical attendance, so long as all other requirements are met. An individual who needs to complete less than the equivalent of half an academic/vocational or technical course-load immediately prior to graduating is still considered a student for purposes of this Program. Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. You must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND meet one of the following provisions of the superior academic achievement: A grade-point average of "B" (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade-point average of "B+" (3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of your undergraduate study. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Grade point averages should be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 is rounded to 3.0, and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9. NOTE: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society.

How to apply

Complete applications (to include all required documents) must be submitted electronically through the "Gateway to State" system. To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply Online" button to the right. Candidates have until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process. This includes submitting the online application as well as any required documents as defined in the Required Documents section. Candidates are encouraged to complete their applications well before the application deadline to ensure they receive consideration. Should candidates be missing any of the required documents or submit their application late, they will be disqualified for consideration of employment. There is a maximum number of applications for this vacancy announcement. The vacancy will close on the closing date listed above or when the maximum number of applications is received. The vacancy will close when the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Technical assistance with your on-line application can be obtained by contacting the Help Desk at [email protected] OR by calling (866) 656-6830 or (703) 269-4944 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST.