Location: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Organization: U.S. Mission in Tegucigalpa

Announcement Number: TEGUCIGALPA-2026-14T

Closing Date: 3/25/2026

Position Summary:

The Political Section Human Rights Senior Vetting Coordinator coordinates local and Leahy vetting procedures at Post. The incumbent coordinates the vetting process among requesting and vetting sections, uses the International Vetting Security Tracking - Cloud (INVESTc) system to clear and upload Leahy vetting requests, and maintains an internal database of units and individuals submitted for vetting. The incumbent researches derogatory information and manages information between the Department, vetting and requesting sections, and the Human Rights Officer.

The Senior Vetting Coordinator develops and maintains Post vetting policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Department guidelines, updates Standard Operating Procedures, provides training for rotating personnel, and prepares required reports. The incumbent directly supervises vetting staff and should have comprehensive understanding of Leahy Law requirements and the ability to establish close working relationships with U.S. military and law enforcement personnel, section chiefs, and Honduran contacts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages day-to-day operations of the vetting unit, directly supervising one full-time FP-07 vetting coordinator. Assesses workload, monitors workflow, establishes performance standards, evaluates performance, and manages leave requests. Ensures the FP-07 vetting coordinator performs at the required level so the Mission can accurately and efficiently process Leahy vetting cases. Onboards new coordinators, updates training manuals to reflect procedural changes, advises the 03 Human Rights officer on staffing needs, and participates in hiring and position description revisions.
• Is responsible for reading and analyzing Spanish and English-language derogatory information discovered during vetting, assessing information against law and policy guidance, establishing the Political Section's position through communication with stakeholders, and working with colleagues at Post and Washington to bring cases to adjudication congruent with the law. The purpose is to apply U.S. law to individual derogatory cases so Post remains compliant with U.S. law and policies.
• Manages Leahy and local vetting for Post, facilitating training and assistance to Honduran counterparts while ensuring full compliance with the law. Coordinates vetting policies and processes with requesting agencies, owning agencies, and vetting colleagues in DRL and WHA bureaus in Washington. Organizes and leads interagency meetings to inform stakeholders of Leahy policies, understand agency equities, and build consensus compliant with law and policies. Monitors and adjusts local procedures to improve vetting process quality and efficiency and maintain compliance with Washington guidance.
• Takes on long-term projects to improve vetting unit efficiency and effectiveness, including revising the Mission Leahy Vetting SOP, reviewing reports on Mission vetting operations, monitoring human rights investigations, responding to large courtesy vetting requests, and working with program designers for the Training Tracking System and INVESTc system to ensure maximum efficiency and functionality.
• Assists requesting agencies in preparing remediation packets to recommend security force re-eligibility for assistance due to government steps to bring perpetrators to justice. Advises requesting agencies on how vetting rejections impact unit eligibility, identifying which sub-units are tainted by violations and which remain eligible for training. Reviews court decisions and legal statutes and provides written analysis to determine how USG positions will be impacted and aid foreign policy decision making at Post. 

Required Qualifications:

Experience:

FSN-8/FP-6: A minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in administration, policy, law, or data management is required.

FSN-7/FP-7: A minimum of two (2) years of professional work experience in administration, policy, law, or data management is required.

Education: A bachelor's degree in political science/government, international affairs, Law/law enforcement, economics, or security studies is required.

Languages:

English: Fluent (Reading/Writing/Speaking) – may be tested

Spanish: Good Working Knowledge (Reading/Writing/Speaking) – may be tested

Job Knowledge:

• Must have a detailed and thorough understanding of the human rights situation in Honduras.
• Must have a thorough familiarity with Honduran law enforcement, military, and judicial actors and procedures, as well as credibility of various media outlets.
• Must have experience reviewing and interpreting Honduran legal statutes and court decisions.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills; professional maturity; discretion; and ability to work under time constraints with minimal supervision.
• Must have the ability to carefully evaluate information collected from law enforcement authorities and other sources to advise Human Rights Officer and vetting and requesting sections on potential derogatory information. (This may be tested.)
• Ability to interpret and apply complicated legal requirements and translate those requirements into policy and procedural guidelines is required. (This may be tested.)
• Must have strong drafting and briefing skills to train others and prepare a variety of reports and other documents as required by Congress and the Department of State. (This may be tested.)
• Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel, and Power Point are required. (This may be tested.)

Other Requirements:

Must be able to obtain and hold a security certificate

Subject to background investigation and possible pre-employment medical exam

Must be able to begin work within a reasonable time of agency authorization/clearance

How to Apply:

Apply via the Electronic Recruitment Application (ERA): https://hn.usembassy.gov/jobs/

Required Documents:

University Degree or documentation of the highest educational level you have completed

Proof of eligibility to work in Honduras

Additional documents may be required for eligible family members

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.