The United States’ strong trade and business partnerships with South Africa are hallmarks for the continent. The United States is the third-largest trading partner for South Africa, after Germany and China. The United States is the largest portfolio investor and the largest source of foreign direct investment in South Africa.
Working at an American Embassy or Consulate overseas offers a challenging and rewarding career. The opportunity to work and experience cultures, customs, and people of different nations is truly a career unlike any other. The work you’ll do will have an impact on the world.
You will be asked to serve at one of any of the more than 270 embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions in The Americas, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.
United States Embassies and Consulates in countries overseas often have job openings for family members of USG employees posted to that country. Family members wishing to work within the Embassy or Consulate of their assigned post should contact the Community Liaison Office coordinator (CLO) or the Human Resources Officer at post. These individuals can provide information on current vacancy announcements.
Family members are hired into positions at overseas Missions in a variety of ways. When accepting a position, be sure to ask how you will be hired and for which benefits you are eligible. Here's a checklist of items you need to know when looking for a job overseas. The Family Liaison Office also offers career management advice and important job information relating to posts around the world.
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The Overseas Seasonal Hire Program provides clerical and administrative support at the time of greatest need, during the personnel gaps of summer transfers and other times during the year. If your post of assignment has an Overseas Seasonal Hire Program, job opportunities for students of USG employees are sometimes a possibility. citizens who are 16-24 years of age and on the travel orders of a direct-hire employee are eligible.
Here's a look at some potential job opportunities and related information:
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Available Positions and Opportunities
For Family Members of USG Employees
Family members are hired into positions at overseas Missions in a variety of ways. Read hiring mechanisms to understand which mechanism you qualify for.
Hard-to-Fill (HTF) Positions
The regular FS assignments process invariably leaves some overseas positions without sufficient qualified Foreign Service bidders. These positions are designated Hard-to-Fill (HTF) and are routinely opened to Department of State Civil Service employees and to Appointment Eligible Family Members (AEFMs).
Overseas Seasonal Hire Program
If your post of assignment has an Overseas Seasonal Hire Program, job opportunities for students of USG employees are sometimes a possibility. citizens who are 16-24 years of age and on the travel orders of a direct-hire employee are eligible.
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EPAP is the newest Family Liaison Office (FLO) program (it was established in 2008 and moved to FLO oversight and management in 2012). citizen eligible family members serving overseas with 200 professional-level Foreign Service, full-time positions in Economics, Management, Political, Public Diplomacy, Financial Management, General Services, Human Resources, Office Management and Medical areas. Most positions are funded centrally, primarily by the Department of State.
Each Regional Bureau is authorized a number of these positions as determined by the Under Secretary for Management. It also provides up to 50 positions in the Information Management area, also centrally funded. Individual posts may now also create post-funded ICASS positions with their regional bureau approval. The pay grades run from FP-07 to FP-04.
Known as the FAMER, this report is an interactive web-based tool that lists job opportunities open to family members at post and reports the number of family members employed both inside and outside the Mission. The FAMER, which can only be accessed via the Family Liaison Office's Intranet web site, also serves as a research tool during the bidding season for family members interested in working.
The Department of State's talent network to receive alerts about career opportunities, internships, and fellowships-plus tips to help you navigate the application process.
Additional Opportunities
Alongside traditional embassy roles, numerous organizations in South Africa seek professionals with specific skill sets. Here are a few examples:
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- Accountant: An international travel and tourism trailblazer is looking for a dynamic Accountant with US experience to take full ownership of their American division's finances, all from the comfort of your remote office.
- Sales Development Representative (SDR): An expanding digital agency is looking for an energetic and results-driven SDR to help grow its North American client base.
- Structural Analyst/Designer: The ideal candidate will have experience in structural analysis, design, and modelling and must be proficient in American building codes (IBC, ACI, AISC, ASCE).
- Business Development Representative: This position will be responsible for providing sales, cold calling, CRM management, inbox management, schedule management, facilitating communication, project management, assisting in business operations and offering general administrative assistance to ensure smooth operations.
- B2B Sales Executive: Responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, cultivating client relationships, and driving revenue growth.
These roles often require specific experience and skills, such as:
- Excellent communication skills with a professional and confident approach.
- Experience managing complex B2B sales with long lead times (3-12 months).
- Proven ability to close deals and meet sales targets.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in sales or call centre roles, consistently exceeding sales targets.
Here's a summary table of potential job opportunities mentioned in the provided text:
| Job Title | Description | Requirements | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | Manage finances for an American division of a travel company. | US experience, remote office capability. | Remote (Johannesburg North) |
| Sales Development Representative (SDR) | Grow North American client base for a digital agency. | Excellent communication skills. | Not specified |
| Structural Analyst/Designer | Experience in structural analysis, design, and modelling. | Proficiency in American building codes (IBC, ACI, AISC, ASCE). | Not specified |
| Business Development Representative | Provide sales and administrative assistance to a US-based company. | 5+ years experience, strong English, US time zone availability. | Remote (South Africa) |
| B2B Sales Executive | Identify new business opportunities and cultivate client relationships. | Proven experience in cold calling. | Remote |
| Team Lead Sales | Oversee a motivated sales team, streamline sales processes. | At least 2 years in a supervisory role within a call centre. | Pretoria |
| Telesales Executive | Generate qualified sales opportunities for a drone solutions provider. | Minimum 3 years of telesales experience required (construction, industrial, or tech preferred) | Office in Gardens, Cape Town |
Internship and Fellowship Programs
Gain hands-on experience and contribute to meaningful work through internships and fellowship programs.
- Foreign Service Internship Program
- Foreign Service Fellowships Overview
- Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program
- Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program
- Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship
- William D. Clarke, Sr. Foreign Service Internship Program
- Virtual Student Federal Service Internships
These programs offer valuable opportunities for students and professionals interested in international affairs.
The Mission is committed to inculcating the spirit of Ubuntu and the “Batho Pele” (People First) principles, in the provision of its services; which is reflective of our country’s values of putting humanity central to all that we do. South Africa is open for business and continues to provide a wealth of opportunities for those looking at investing in an emerging market that boosts a stable democracy, incredible infrastructure and world class financial systems.
