Department of State: Foreign Service Midlevel Staffing Gaps Persist Despite Significant Increases in Hiring.

摘要

In 2009, GAO reported on challenges that State faced in filling its increasing overseas staffing needs with sufficiently experienced personnel and noted that persistent Foreign Service staffing and experience gaps put diplomatic readiness at risk. State is currently undertaking a new hiring plan, known as Diplomacy 3.0, to increase the size of the Foreign Service by 25 percent to close staffing gaps and respond to new diplomatic priorities. However, fiscal constraints are likely to delay the plans full implementation well beyond its intended target for completion in 2013. In addition, States first Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review highlighted the need to find ways to close overseas gaps. GAO was asked to assess (1) the extent to which States overseas midlevel experience gaps in the Foreign Service have changed since 2008 and (2) States efforts to address these gaps. GAO analyzed States personnel data; reviewed key planning documents, including the Five Year Workforce Plan; and interviewed State officials in Washington, D.C., and at selected posts.