Announcement Number:
MAPUTO-2026-015
Hiring Agency:
Embassy Maputo
Position Title:
Bodyguard
Open Period:
09/30/2026 – 10/20/2026
Format MM/DD/YYYY
Vacancy Time Zone:
GMT+2
Series/Grade:
LE – 0701 5
Salary:
USD $18,655 /Per Year
Work Schedule:
Full-time – Full time, 40 hours per week
Promotion Potential:
LE-5
Duty Location(s):
1 in Maputo, MZ
Telework Eligible:
No
For More Info:
Katia
000-000-0000
ParuqueKV@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 – 09. Actual FP salary authorized by Washington D.C.
Security Clearance Required:
Public Trust – Background Investigation
Appointment Type:
Permanent
Appointment Type Details:
Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period
Marketing 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. Mission in Mozambique is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Bodyguard in the Regional Security office.
Supervisory Position:
No
Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:
No
DUTIES
Incumbent serves as a Bodyguard (BG) in the execution of protective security operations for the U.S. Ambassador/Chief of Mission (COM), and other designated or visiting U.S. government officials as directed. Under the supervision of the BG Supervisor and managed by the Regional Security Officer (RSO) to US Embassy Maputo in order to protect him/her from harm and embarrassment.
Close Protective Services – 70%
- Provides close protection services for the COM and Emergency Action Committee (EAC) approved personnel working in a varied and sometimes life-threatening environment.
- Serves as the principal’s primary BG or BG team member accompanying the COM or designated protectee.
- Works on a daily schedule as provided by the BG Supervisor and the RSO.
- The incumbent is authorized the use of force in accordance with and subject to local laws, Post’s/Mission Use of Force policy, and Department of State guidance.
- Provides personal protective security to the COM or designated protectee during motorcade operations, walking moves, and while in residence.
- Provides perimeter security by standing post and conducting counter-surveillance at events attended by protectee.
- Drafts reports for the Regional Security Officer regarding daily duties, equipment, expenses, and any irregularities.
- Incumbent is required to travel to various locations in the host country to provide protection support.
Site Visits – 20%
- May be called upon to oversee complex security arrangements at hotels, convention centers, restaurants, and other special event venues visited by protectee.
- Works with other BGs in production of detailed security surveys and recommends placement of security personnel and resources in order to control access and enhance safety at all venues.
- Conducts advance security planning at all venues as well as primary, secondary and emergency route planning.
Liaisons – 10%
- Incumbent establishes and builds relationships with mid-level and senior Mozambican officials from law enforcement, protocol, and local security elements in order to facilitate effective protective security operations and maintain good relations for the U.S. Embassy protection team.
- Incumbent is required to maintain liaison with local government law enforcement and security officials, protocol offices and local security in various jurisdictions throughout the country.
This position may serve as a driver for the protectee and should have high skills of defensive driving techniques.
*Note: This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by incumbent. Incumbent will be required to perform other duties as assigned by the agency.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS
Requirements
All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:
- security certificate; or
- Public Trust 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 upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
Education Requirements
Completion of high/secondary school is required. Host government Driver’s License to operate up to Sport Utility Vehicle 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:
A minimum of three (3) years of private sector, government, police, or military experience in one or more of the following categories: bodyguard, armed escort, law enforcement officer, combat arms or infantry soldier.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Language:
English level – Limited knowledge – Reading/Writing/Speaking is required.
Portuguese level – Limited knowledge – Reading/Writing/Speaking is required.
Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.
Job Knowledge
A thorough knowledge of defense measures to be used in the event of a personal or terrorist attack, such as that learned in the military or law enforcement training.
Knowledge in medical, fire, hostile attack, defensive and emergency driving procedures.
Must be familiar with Mozambican’s Police Services, military, security and other government offices to ensure effective liaison and to facilitate effective protective operations including advance and motorcade operations.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Skills And Abilities
- Must have initiative and resourcefulness in accomplishing tasks.
- Must be able to deal effectively with people of other cultures to obtain cooperation and reach common goals.
- Possesses good leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Must have valid driver license. Must be able to demonstrate judgment and basic safe driving skills in both oral and practical examination.
- Should be able to operate an armored vehicle (if available) and pass the defensive driving training.
- Good working computer skills are required.
- Must be able to work variable shifts, 24 hour on-call schedule, and able to travel outside capital city on an as needed basis.
- Proficient in first aid and use of an AED.
- Must be alert, have fast reflexes, active thinking, excellent observational skills, adaptation, take decisive actions, stay calm in dangerous situations, teamwork, communication skills, etc. and have the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Must be physically fit and be able to endure frequent travel, long working hours, and a stressful working environment while maintaining the above standards.
- Should be trained on emergency first-aid, and be AED/CPR qualified.
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.
In addition to competitive salary, the U.S. Mission in Maputo offers Locally Employed Staff a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Miscellaneous Benefits Allowance: USD 1,450 per year, paid biweekly to eligible full-time employees.
- Medical Insurance: The Mission offers comprehensive medical insurance coverage for its local employed staff and direct dependents.
- Retirement Benefit: The Mission provides its own retirement plan — a lump-sum payment equal to 17.5% of annual basic salary for each year of creditable service, available to employees who separate at age 55 or older with a minimum of 5 years of service.
- Death & Disability Benefits: Directly provided by the Mission, offering financial protection to employees and their families.
- 13th Month Bonus: Equivalent to 1/12 of annual basic salary, paid annually to eligible employees.
- Holiday Schedule: Employees enjoy 11 U.S. federal holidays annually, in addition to official Mozambican holidays.
Full details on all benefits are provided in the Mission’s Local Compensation Plan, available upon request from Human Resources.
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
- Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
- AEFM / USEFM
- 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:
- The military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and
- 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.
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.
HOW TO APPLY
How to Apply:
Click the “Apply to This Vacancy” button at the top of the page to begin your application.
For an instructional video on how to apply click here.
Please address all relevant experience, education, language skills (including English), and job related skills or requirements in your application.
You may edit your application any time before the vacancy closing date. If you fail to submit a complete application by the vacancy closing date of this vacancy, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
For a copy of the complete position description, please contact the HR Office.
To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the HR Office.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please upload all applicable documents to your application. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
All Applicants
- ID copy/or Passport/ or Work Permit
- Driver’s License
- High/Secondary School Diploma
In addition, Eligible Family Member (EFM) Applicants must submit:
- Copy of Sponsor’s Travel Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
- Passport copy
- DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
NEXT STEPS
The HR Office will contact successful applicants.
For more information on applying for jobs or employment with us, please visit the U.S. Mission website:
Thank you for your application and your interest in working with us.
HOW TO APPLY?
To apply, access the following link:
Seeker – Seeker – Vacancy Search Results
