13 FAH-1 H-500
FSI TRAINING SERVICES FOR FOREIGN SERVICE NATIONALS

13 FAH-1 H-510
General Information

(CT:FSIH-03; 01-07-2010)
(Office of Origin: FSI)

13 FAH-1 H-511 Purpose

(CT:FSIH-01; 12-20-2007)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

Foreign Service National (FSN) training programs provided by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) are designed to help prepare FSNs to perform their official duties, to help them contribute to the operation of posts, and to maintain and improve their skills and knowledge.

13 FAH-1 H-511.1 Types of Programs

(CT:FSIH-03; 01-07-2010)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

a. In the United States: FSI offers a variety of courses designed for development of core and specialized competencies for FSNs, including Management, Consular, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Information Management, Office Management, Political, and Public Diplomacy. These courses are held primarily in Washington, DC, but could also be conducted at regional centers located in the United States.

b. Regional training: FSI, in partnership with regional bureaus, arranges regional training and workshops for FSNs, either solely or in conjunction with training provided to other post staff, on such topics as Management Operations, Consular, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Information Management, Office Management, Political Affairs, and Public Diplomacy; as well as Customer Service, Crisis Management, and Supervisory Skills.

c. Distance Learning: FSI offers a wide range of distance learning self-study courses available to FSNs in both multimedia and non-multimedia formats.

13 FAH-1 H-511.2 Responsibilities

(CT:FSIH-03; 01-07-2010)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

a. FSI is responsible for establishing and maintaining Washington-based training programs and for advertising and announcing training opportunities available to FSNs. This information is provided through the annual FSI Schedule of Courses, through the FSI online catalog, and/or through Department Notices and telegrams to the field. FSI funds tuition costs for State FSNs attending FSI-delivered programs. Other agencies must pay tuition costs for their FSN employees. In general, posts or bureaus should expect to fund all travel and per diem costs associated with FSN training. For particular course offerings, however, FSI may provide full or partial funding for travel and/or per diem costs for State FSNs. Inquiries about the courses and funding should be referred initially to the FSI division offering the course.

b. For applicable courses the post nominates qualified candidates for training. Post is responsible for assisting FSN employees selected for training with the preparation of travel orders, obtaining travel advances, and making travel and lodging arrangements, as needed.

c. The appropriate FSI program office reviews nominations and selects participants in coordination with the respective regional bureau, as appropriate. Some courses (e.g., distance learning) do not require regional bureau review.

d. Non-State agencies are responsible for the payment of tuition costs to State/FSI if their FSNs participate in FSI training programs, and for all associated travel, per diem and miscellaneous costs.

e. Appropriate Department elements provide personnel to meet with FSNs in Washington and to give briefings on topics related to their work and field of expertise. Regional bureaus are responsible for arranging any special consultations not included as part of FSI training.

13 FAH-1 H-511.3 Basic Criteria for Nominations

(CT:FSIH-01; 12-20-2007)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

In making nominations, post managers will consider FSNs who meet the following criteria:

(1) The target audience criteria outlined in the FSI provided course description and whether the training is related to the FSNs current or soon to be assigned job responsibilities;

(2) A demonstrated high potential for more responsibility and effective work in the Departments interest, and have proven to be dependable, cooperative, and adaptable in new situations;

(3) The English language requirement for the proposed course (this does not apply for those courses designed to improve English language skills);

(4) Agreement to the terms of any Continued Service Agreement (CSA) deemed appropriate by post; and

(5) Certification by the regional security officer for continued employment, and eligibility for visas to enter the United States if the training is held in the United States.

13 FAH-1 H-511.4 Continued Service Agreement

13 FAH-1 H-511.4-1 When Required

(CT:FSIH-01; 12-20-2007)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

a. Though FSI does not require it, individual posts may establish a requirement for their FSNs nominated for FSI-sponsored training to sign a CSA which constitutes an employees agreement to continue his or her employment with the U.S. Government for a set period of time following completion of the training.

b. There are no set U.S. Government criteria for establishing a minimum or maximum period of continued service established by any such agreement to be applied to FSNs. However, the standard U.S. Government formula for periods of continued service following training applicable to U.S. citizen government employees is 3 to 1 (i.e., the period of continued service is equal to 3 times the length of the training period). Posts have discretion to establish longer or shorter periods of continued service, considering the return on posts investment and local labor laws. For a sample of a CSA which post might use as a template, see the one incorporated in Form SF-182, Authorization, Agreement and Certification of Training.

c. It is posts responsibility to retain a copy of any signed CSA for future reference.

d. This section does not apply to external vendor (non-FSI) training processed via a Form SF-182. For this type of the training, the CSA incorporated in the Form SF-182 should be used.

13 FAH-1 H-511.4-2 Nature of Agreement

(CT:FSIH-01; 12-20-2007)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

When used, a CSA normally includes the following conditions:

(1) Agreement by the employee to continue in the service of the U.S. Government after the completion of training for a period of service in line with 13 FAH-1 H-511.4-1, paragraph b, unless involuntarily separated;

(2) Agreement by the employee that if voluntarily separated from federal employment before completion of the training or completion of the required period of continued service, he/she will reimburse the U.S. Government for the cost of the training incurred by the U.S. Government; and

(3) A statement informing the employee that time while on leave without pay does not count toward completion of the period of service required to comply with a continued service agreement, unless the employee is on leave without pay while receiving payments for a work-related injury or illness, comparable to compensation provided under the Federal Employees Compensation Act.

13 FAH-1 H-511.4-3 What Reimbursement Covers

(CT:FSIH-01; 12-20-2007)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

The reimbursement may include tuition and matriculation fees, other related services and facilities, per diem, travel, and transportation expenses directly related to the training. It does not include salary or allowances for the period of training.

13 FAH-1 H-511.4-4 Recovery of Funds

(CT:FSIH-01; 12-20-2007)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

If any FSN fails to fulfill a CSA or to reimburse the U.S. Government for expenses related to the training program, the U.S. Government may recover such expenses from the employee or the employees estate, by withholding from any monies owed the employee by the U.S. Government or by other means of collection as permitted by law.

13 FAH-1 H-511.4-5 Waiver of Right of Recovery

(CT:FSIH-03; 01-07-2010)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Nationals Only)

Post management may waive in whole or in part any right of recovery whenever recovery would be against the public interest.

13 FAH-1 H-512 through H-519 unassigned