sentatives in order to provide them with foreign policy guidance and to ensure their full participation in the overall goals and objectives established for the U.S. mission. The S&T Affairs Specialist and the other agency representatives work as a team to make the maximum contribution to U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives. At the discretion of the Ambassador, the S&T Section of the Embassy may also include officers with other related responsibilities; for example, energy policy, mineral resources, and fisheries attachés.

Serves as coordinator for significant S&T visits and missions. Assists in organizing and facilitating such visits to assure an optimum return from the contacts. Participates in the visits as appropriate to provide a foreign policy perspective for the mission and to permit any necessary follow-up.

Acts as the focal point within the Embassy for all binational S&T agreements and arrangements, whether intergovernmental or inter-agency. Promotes, facilitates, and monitors such agreements to further U.S. policy objectives and essential relationships. Serves as the liaison between the numerous U.S. technical agencies and their foreign counterparts, and reviews, approves, and provides administrative support for research projects within the host country supported by American agencies. Represents the Embassy in developing guidelines and operating procedures for cooperative programs and briefs visiting agency representatives on the political, economic, or public relations aspects for their specific programs.

A working knowledge of the language of the host country is often a necessity for science officers at all levels.

SOURCE: OES, Department of State, 1999.