SOMALIA - SOMALIA UNIT REQUESTS SUMMER TDYERS

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000720

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/EX AND ACTING A/S CARTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AMGT SO

SUBJECT: SOMALIA - SOMALIA UNIT REQUESTS SUMMER TDYERS


1. Post requests temporary duty (TDY) coverage for the Somalia Unit
during the period June 2-26, August 17-31, and September 1-25 to
allow the Unit's FSOs and their families to take R&R while
maintaining the Unit's responsiveness and output. A breakdown of
specific days, needs and costs follows in para 3. The press of the
Unit's business, the need to respond quickly to likely breaking
events, and significant and escalating interest in Somalia from
Washington policymakers necessitates the Unit maintain full
staffing, if possible.


2. A TDY in the Somalia Unit is an excellent opportunity to refine
your understanding of Somalia's and the region's political,
counter-terror and development/humanitarian issues. U.S. policy
toward Somalia is constantly evolving, and interagency attention to
this fascinating country has increased in recent months. TDYers
will interact with high level Somali officials, our international
partners, and contribute to the Mission's interagency deliberations.



3. NEEDS: Coverage days and preferred skill set:

-- June 2-26 and August 17-31: For both periods we need a
political/economic reporting officer with regional, security sector
and/or counter-terrorism experience. Working under supervision of
the counselor, and with other Somali Unit officers, TDYers will:
monitor and report on political, security and economic developments
in Somalia; advise the ambassador and accompany him for meetings
between the ambassador and high level Somali officials; monitor and
advance Somalia Unit and USAID efforts to deliver development and
security sector assistance to the Somali government and people;
attend donor coordination meetings; draft analysis of violent
extremists' threats to the Transitional Federal Government;
participate in Post's interagency discussions on piracy and monitor
piracy trends; report on political events in Somaliland, especially
progress toward elections in the Fall; meet with the Somali diaspora
and business community; and manage the political LES.

-- September 1-25: A TDYer with public diplomacy/information
officer experience. Taking direction from the counselor, and in
cooperation with the Unit's other staff, the officer will monitor
open source Somali media; draft, clear and release Somalia unit
media announcements as appropriate; manage grants, projects and
events under development; advance ongoing outreach projects to the
Somali diaspora and Somali community in Kenya; represent the Unit in
interagency strategic communication coordination meetings; and
supervise the PD LES.


4. COSTS: TDY housing will be provided by the Embassy. Airfare,
ground transport and M&IE will be borne by the TDYer's bureau.
Estimated costs follow:

--Roundtrip airfare from Washington to Nairobi: $2755

--June 2-26: M&IE perdiem: 24 days x $108 = $2592
TDY quarters to office ground transport (estimated): $100

--August 17-31: M&IE perdiem: 14 days x $108 = $1,512
TDY quarters to office ground transport (estimated): $100

--September 1-25: M&IE perdiem: 24 days x $108 = $2592
TDY quarters to office ground transport (estimated): $80


5. POINT OF CONTACT: Please contact Joe Trimble at
trimblejf@state.gov, cell phone 254-721-617-500 or IVG 871-6185 with
questions or expressions of interest.

RANNEBERGER