NOMINATION FOR PE-220 FSN ECONOMIC TRAINING:

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000030 SIPDIS FSINFATC FOR LISA FOX, ED SAGURTON, ANDREA CLIPPER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON AMGT AFSI AFSN ETRD JM SUBJECT: NOMINATION FOR PE-220 FSN ECONOMIC TRAINING: EMBASSY KINGSTON REF: 05 STATE 202837 ¶1. (U) This nomination cable is in response to reftel requesting nomination of FSNs for PE-220 FSN Economic Training, May 1-12, 2006. Answers are keyed to the format provided in paragraph 8. ¶A. Name and Grade of FSN: Elvis Melton James. Grade 11. ¶B. Date of Birth: 27 September 1971. ¶C. Nationality: Jamaican ¶D. Passport Number: A2064929 ¶E. Agency: State ¶F. Position Title: Economic Specialist ¶G. American Supervisor: John Morgan. E-mail: morganjs@state.gov ¶H. FSN,s education, job experience and current responsibilities: Mr. James received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Management Studies in 1995 from the University of the West Indies, followed by a Master of Arts in Economics from The Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands in 2000. He was an economist at the Planning Institute of Jamaica from 1995 until 2002, eventually acting as Manager of the Economic Policy and Monitoring Unit, and specializing in fiscal policy and balance of payment issues. In 2002, Mr. James joined the U.S. Embassy as the Economic Specialist. He is responsible for a number of annual reports for both Washington and for internal Embassy audiences, including the Country Commercial Guide and the Investment Climate Statement. Mr. James writes regular reports updating the Department on various sectors of the economy, and follows all economic trends for inclusion in Post,s biweekly Political/Economic roundup. ¶I. Productivity enhancement at Post: While the Economic Specialist at Post has advanced training in economics, the nominee has not yet taken this course. The proposed program, and the economic reform agenda in particular, will serve as a refresher course, updating the nominee,s knowledgebase of current best practices. The skills component (modules I-III) will help the specialist to sharpen his reporting skills, as well as honing briefing skills that are particularly vital with a new Ambassador at Post. Modules V and VI ("Consultations with Policy Officials and End-Users" and "What Washington Wants") should also help the nominee to anticipate areas of interest to Washington, as well as to focus on more targeted reporting. This will positively impact productivity and enhance the output of a section that lacks a mid-level reporting officer below the political/economic section head. ¶J. Suggestions for Course Content: The USG,s emphasis on bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the wake of the difficulties in forming a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA),would make this course an opportune moment to offer courses in Negotiating and Diplomacy Skills. Furthermore, since the course this year is offered to developing countries, modules in economic growth, competitiveness and productivity would be very useful, as FSNs could share their unique experiences in their home countries as useful case studies. Responding to part A of para 5 in reftel, Post,s FSN has an advanced degree in economics, and so rather than Economic Data Analysis Skills (module IV),more tradecraft-type training, particularly understanding the singular needs of the Washington audience, would be most useful. ¶K. Comments on Previous Modules: Post has not yet had an attendee for this course, and thus is unable to provide comment on prior modules. JOHNSON