Administrative Assistant (USPTO) – 18 June

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

Announcement Number:
Johannesburg-2026-032
Hiring Agency:
Consulate General Johannesburg
Position Title:
Administrative Assistant (USPTO) – All Interested Applicants / All Sources
Open Period:
06/10/2026 – 06/24/2026
Format MM/DD/YYYY
Vacancy Time Zone:
GMT+2
Series/Grade:
LE – 1510 8
Salary:
ZAR R417,758 – ZAR R584,858 /Per Year
Work Schedule:
Full-time – Full time, 40 hours per week
Promotion Potential:
LE-8

Duty Location(s):
1 Vacancy in

Johannesburg, SF
Telework Eligible:
No
For More Info:
HR Section
0112903000
HROJohannesburg@state.gov

Overview

Hiring Path:• Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:This position is open to:
•  All Interested Applicants / All Sources

For USEFM – FP grade is 06.  Actual FP salary authorized by Washington D.C.Security Clearance Required:Public Trust – Background InvestigationAppointment TypePermanentMarketing Statement:

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):  The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.Summary:

The U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Intellectual Property Program Assistant in the USPTO office.Supervisory Position:NoRelocation Expenses Reimbursed:No

Duties

The role supports the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in advancing strong and balanced intellectual property (IP) protection in Sub-Saharan Africa. The incumbent provides program, policy, administrative, and budget support to the IP Attaché and works closely with U.S. Government (USG) agencies, local partners, and industry stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Program Support & Coordination (Majority of Role)
• Track, research, and report on IP laws, enforcement developments, and policy issues relevant to USG and U.S. stakeholders.
• Contribute to action plans, Special 301 reporting, and USG policy documents.
• Support IP-related programs, meetings, conferences, and outreach initiatives, including logistics, agendas, materials, and on‑site assistance.
• Draft meeting notes, correspondence, and briefing materials, and support stakeholder engagement.
• Manage travel planning and arrangements for USPTO officials and delegations.
• Maintain program databases, compile weekly updates, and support office communications and social media.

Administrative Support
• Maintain office calendars, files, inventory, and equipment; coordinate with Embassy and USPTO administrative personnel.
• Support time and attendance, IT coordination, property management, and general office operations.

Budget & Procurement Management
• Help prepare and monitor the office budget; track expenses and provide financial updates.
• Coordinate with budget analysts to ensure compliance with USG regulations.
• Manage purchase orders, petty cash, procurement actions, and serve as the office purchase card holder.
• Conduct market research and maintain vendor relationships.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a SBU security clearance.

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.  
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time, 12 weeks, upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements:

Successful completion of at least two years of full-time post-secondary study at college or university is required.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement. 
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents.  Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed.  If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.Qualifications:

Experience:

Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in program, financial, office or administrative management, or other position that demonstrates a high degree of autonomy, responsibility, and organizational skills is required.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Language: 

Fluent English (Reading, Writing, and Speaking) is required.

Please address this language requirement in your ERA application. 

Job Knowledge:

• A good understanding of host country’s economy, business customs, practices, relevant laws.
• Knowledge of program management, logistical, budgetary, and fiscal, performance, and records management protocols and systems, employee and workplace training and other issues, including diversity, payroll operations, procurement and contracting.
• Sound background in computer/IT and Internet operations, with an emphasis on word processing, database management, and social media, HR systems such as timekeeping, payroll and inventory, and general knowledge of office machines and equipment.
• Awareness of and ability to discuss intellectual property, trade, international affairs, and current South African and Regional political and legislative developments.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Skills And Abilities:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite software.
• Ability to communicate effectively, to conduct research and prepare communications and reports, and to collect and represent data in support of the Office’s mission.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines and to otherwise effectively engage in matters and activities related to personnel management, budget, payroll, procurement/contracting, inventory, and facilities management.
• Outstanding customer service skills necessary as well as excellent problem-solving skills.
• Keyboarding skills requires both speed & accuracy; Typing skills with speed and accuracy requires NOT LESS than 40 words per minute. Post HR Office will provide testing during recruitment.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits:Agency Benefits:

The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees. 

For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.Other Information:

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:  

A hiring preference is extended to eligible and qualified applicants in the order listed below.  It is essential you accurately describe your status in your application, failure to do so may result in a determination that you are not eligible for a hiring preference. 

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER 

1. Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran* 
2. AEFM / USEFM 
3. Foreign Service (FS) on Leave without Pay (LWOP) and Civil Service (CS) with reemployment rights ** 

* IMPORTANT:  US citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”) preferably Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability, equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.  

** This level of preference applies to all FS employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau. 

For complete definitions of AEFM, USEFM, EFM, Member of Household, etc., please visit the 3 FAM 7210 Definitions.    

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS

The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only:    

• Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible. This does not apply when the hiring mechanism is TEMP or the work schedule is intermittent or irregular.    
• Candidates with a hiring preference who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing. 
• Candidates must be scheduled to arrive at post within 90 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
• Candidates currently at post must have at least 6 months remaining on their projected tour of duty.

The following apply to Locally Employed (LE) staff only:   

• Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible. 
• Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible. 

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications