Where We Work

The majority U.S. Embassy Baghdad staff work and live in the New Embassy Compound (NEC), which opened in January 2009. The NEC houses a Chancery, two Annexes, the State Diplomatic Apartments (SDA) and other offices, housing and life support buildings. Several ISPO positions are assigned to other locations within Baghdad or at one of the constituent posts outside of Baghdad. In all locations security and living accommodations are provided in compliance with Department of State Chief of Mission guidelines.

Field Positions: Living conditions can be challenging with sparse amenities. Sharing living quarters with other civilian or military personnel is common and employees may be housed in a tent or plywood structure with partial dividing walls. Some employees sleep on a canvas cot with makeshift mosquito netting in a common room with military service personnel since many District Support Teams are embedded at the battalion or company level. Bathrooms will be shared and at a short distance from the housing facility. Food is basic and there are no cooking facilities other than microwaves.

Work is usually performed in a basic office setting. Since the location is in an uncertain political, security and economic environment, the traveler should expect unreliable internet and telecommunication connections and delayed postal and delivery systems. The work environment is arduous and potentially dangerous with long work hours.

Employees will be required to wear a helmet and body armor that together weigh a minimum of 30 pounds. In some areas, these may have to be worn throughout the workday. In addition, walking significant distances through rough and uneven terrain wearing protective armor and carrying emergency equipment and work materials is not out of the ordinary. Transportation may be in off-road vehicles, helicopters, military troop transport aircraft or other military transportation with confined seating. Clearances may be up to 2 ft. off the ground with high step rails or ladder-type steps and small entrances. Travel in these vehicles can exceed 10 hours.