Q: What can I do if I forgot my password?
A: You need to click “Forgotten Password” button and answer your secret questions.
Q: What can I do if I forgot my secret answer, or failed to log in the system three times?
A: After multiple failed login attempts (default set to three tries), a user can no longer login. To log in, you need to create a new account with another personal email address. Do not wait until you fail to log in on the third try. You need to click “Forgotten Password” to move on to the secret questions after you failed to login twice.
Q: Position requires candidates have public trust security clearance. How do I get it?
A: The Regional Security Officer at the embassy will conduct the background check on the successful candidate to ensure that they meet the required security clearance for the job. No need to worry about it at this stage.
Q: Do I need to upload a CV/ Résumé?
A: No! The ERA system is an inbuilt DS-174 which also serves as a résumé. Recruitment will be based on the contents on the DS-174 so even if you upload one, recruiters will not consider it.
Q: Do I need to upload an SF-50?
A: The SF-50 is only a requirement if you are an American applicant, either an EFM/MOH, who has previously been employed by the US Government.
Q: Do I need to upload a DD-214?
A: The DD-214 is only applicable for American veterans
Q: There are no jobs to apply for after I create an account. How do I apply for the advertised position?
A: Please look at the right hand corner top of the page and you will see the “return to vacancy” button. Click on it and select the vacancy you would like to apply for.
Q: Do I need to include all my documents or the degree that has been advertised?
A: Please upload all your education documents as one attachment under education to include O’ level, A’ level and any other degrees or education certificates you may possess.
Q: In which language do I have to fill in an application form?
A: All applicants are required to submit an application in English.
Q: Can I apply for many positions at the same time?
A: You can apply to as many as positions which you are qualified. You can also apply for any positions even though you are not selected for other positions previously. However, there are some restrictions, which you must be aware of as following:
- Type of candidates: Please ensure that you are eligible to apply for the position which you apply for.
- Qualification Requirements: You must meet all requirements of the position to be considered for the position.
- Required documents: Different position may require different supporting documents. Please review your application packet before submitting your application. You need to clarify your qualifications clearly in education, work experience, skills and job knowledge related to the requirements of each position. For example, if the position requires Luganda and English skills, you have to clarify both language skills in your online application.
Q: Can I make changes on my online application or add/remove supporting documents?
A: Yes and you should do it by the closing date. After the closing date, you cannot make any changes.
Q: How can I withdraw my application if I do not want to be considered for the position I applied?
A: Prior to the closing date, you can withdraw your application by clicking ‘Dashboard’ to view all positons that you have applied for and select “Withdraw Application” for the position you do not want to continue. However, if it is after the closing date, you cannot access your online application, please inform us by sending an email to Kampalahr@state.gov and provide your name and the vacancy announcement number of the position.
Q: How to reapply for the position that I have just withdrawn my application?
A: You can reapply for the position before the closing date of the vacancy announcement. On the ‘Dashboard’ page, click ‘Edit Application’ for the position which you want to reapply. Then, click ‘Edit’ at the ‘Series, Grade, Location’ section, and click ‘Reapply’ button under ‘Grade’, and click ‘Save.’
Q: How soon will I be contacted by the Embassy for a position that I applied for?
A: Due to many applications, we are only able to contact applicants who are selected for an interview. Please assume that the position may be filled if you are not contacted within two months after the closing date of each position.
Q: How do I describe my work experience?
A: Please follow instructions and fill out the questionnaire honestly and completely. It is important to clarify your work responsibility if it is relevant to the position requirements. Start with your most current or recent job and work backward. If you do not work every day and do not have a fixed work-schedule (intermittent), you may put an average number of hours worked per week. Lunch hour should not be included in your work-hour. Be sure to include all self-employment, internships, or unpaid work experience.
See the below examples:
| Company | Title | Type | From | To | Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Admin. Clerk | Full Time | Jul-16 | Current | 40 hrs/wk |
| B | Receptionist | Full Time | May-14 | Jun-16 | 40 hrs/wk |
| C | Operator | Full Time | Jun-13 | Apr-14 | 48 hrs/wk |
| D | English Tutor | Intermittent | May-13 | Mar-14 | 6 hrs/wk |
| E | Internship | Full Time | Jan-13 | Jul-13 | 35 hrs/wk |
| F | Cashier | Part Time | Jun-12 | Jan-13 | 15 hrs/wk |
Q: There is no uploaded-document list for some of my documents such as name change certification. How do I submit it?
A: You can select ‘Other’ for Document Type, and specify the document such as “Name change certification” in Document Description.
Q: Position requires candidates to take the English Placement Test (EPT) which conducted by the Embassy. Do I have to pay for the test?
A: No. There is no cost for the English Placement Test (EPT) if you are invited to take the test.
Q: Can I apply for a job at the U.S. Mission if my relative works at the U.S. Mission?
A: Yes, if there are no nepotism or conflict of interest issues, you must clarify on your online application if your relatives are working at the U.S. Mission Uganda.
Examples for nepotism or conflict of interest:
- One family member or household member would be subordinate to (either directly or indirectly) the other, or receive work assignments, jointly control government resources, or make substantive decisions with their family member or household member;
- One family member or household member would be anticipated to have a continuing and substantive working relationship with the other or be required to assign, review or approve the work of the other;
Note: A family member is defined as those related by marriage or blood such as husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister.
A household member is an individual who resides with the employee or any individual defined as a family member in paragraph above.
Q: Do I have hiring preference if I am a U.S. Veteran?
A: No, only qualified AEFM/USEFM who is a U.S. Veteran can obtain hiring preference. Hiring preference order will be as below:
(1) AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
(2) AEFM / USEFM
(3) FS on LWOP**
Q: How many times can I invoke for hiring preference as an AEFM/USEFM who is also a Veteran?
A: If your Veterans’ preference status was a determining factor for a current or previously held position in the same agency at the same post (within the same assignment), you will have only the AEFM/USEFM preference if you apply for another position in the same agency at your post unless you have a 90-day break in service or more. In short, only one time for the same agency at the same post in the same assignment if there is no break in service for 90 days or more.
Q: If I invoke for an AEFM/USEFM Veteran hiring preference and I am not selected for the position, will it be counted against my eligibility?
A: No, it does not. It will be counted when you accept a job offer.
Q: Will I be paid in U.S. dollars if I am Ugandan?
A: An Ordinarily Resident (OR) is compensated based on the local compensation plan which paid in Ugandan shillings (UGX).
An ordinarily resident is:
- A Ugandan citizen or a foreign national or a U.S. citizen who is locally resident; and
- Has legal, permanent resident status in Uganda; and
- Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.
WHO MAY APPLY
Q: Can I apply for any advertised job that I qualify for?
Only applicants who meet the “OPEN TO” criteria will receive consideration.
- All candidates
The vacancy announcement is open to any interested applicants who is legally work in country.
- USEFMs only: U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members – All Agencies
The vacancy announcement is open only to the following criteria:
- Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM): An AEFM for employment purposes is an individual who meets all of the following criteria: •U.S. Citizen; and
- Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
- Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
- Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and
- Is under chief of mission authority; and
- Is residing at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
- Does NOT currently receive a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.
- U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): A USEFM for employment purposes is an individual who meets all of the following criteria: •U.S. Citizen; and
- Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
- Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
- Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and resides at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and is under chief of mission authority; or •resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2; or
- Currently receives a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.
IMPORTANT: AEFM, US EFM, EFMs, and MOH are required to submit travel order showing that your sponsor has been assigned to the U.S. Mission in Uganda.
- Internal Candidates only: Current Employees of the Mission, USEFMs, EFMs and MOH – All Agencies
The vacancy announcement is open only to:
- Current Employees of the Mission: Any local employee of the U.S. Mission Uganda currently hired under a personnel service agreement (PSA) or a direct hire appointment.
- Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) as defined above.
- U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) as defined above.
- Eligible Family Members (EFMs): An EFM for employment purposes is an individual who meets all of the following criteria: •U.S. Citizen or not a U.S. Citizen; and
- Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); or
- Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support; or
- Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; or
- Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support; and
- Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
- Is under chief of mission authority.
- Member of Household (MOH): An individual who accompanies or joins a sponsoring employee, i.e., sponsor is a direct hire employee under Chief of Mission authority, either Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad at a U.S. mission, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan. A MOH is an individual who meets the following criteria: •Not an EFM and therefore not on the travel orders or approved through form OF-126 Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report of the sponsoring employee; and
- Officially declared by the sponsoring U.S. Government employee to the Chief of Mission (COM) as part of his or her household and approved by the COM; and
- Is a parent, grandparent, grandchild, unmarried partner, adult child, foreign born child in the process of being adopted, father, mother, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister who falls outside the Department’s current definition of Eligible Family Member 14 FAM 511.3. A MOH may or may not be a U.S. Citizen.
IMPORTANT: AEFM, US EFM, EFMs, and MOH are required to submit travel orders showing that your sponsor has been assigned to the U.S. Mission in Uganda.
