About

Overview

Hiring Path:

• Open to the public

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

For USEFM - FP is FP-07.  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
Open-to :All Interested Applicants / All Sources

Security Clearance Required:

Public Trust - Background Investigation

Appointment Type

Permanent

Appointment Type Details:

•    Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period

Marketing Statement:

We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Summary:

The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 hours per week).

Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (4 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Supervisory Position:

No

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:

No

Travel Required:

Occasional Travel

Incumbent is responsible for preparation and dissemination of Mission/Section media products, logistics coordination for off-site and in-house media events, and advising on and establishing appropriate media venues for Mission messaging effectiveness

Duties

The Press and Media Assistant works under the direct supervision of the Strategic Content and Media Coordinator. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. Monitors Ivoirian press and media coverage of issues of importance to the U.S. Identifies and advises Public Diplomacy (PD) leadership on strategies for promoting accurate, balanced host-country press and media coverage of U.S. foreign policy and American interests; correcting misinformation; and countering disinformation. Builds productive relationships with press and media professionals in person and online. Incumbent is responsible for preparation and dissemination of Mission/Section media products, logistics coordination for off-site and in-house media events, and advising on and establishing appropriate media venues for Mission messaging effectiveness.

I. Press and Media Engagement Operations (60%)
Designs and implements press and media activities for the Mission to promote balanced and informed coverage of U.S. policy and to respond to breaking stories, correct misinformation, and counter disinformation.
Continuously monitors host-country press and media to identify stories of importance to U.S. policy and American interests, either using in-house personnel or contract services; reports on Ivoirian media trends and outcomes of press/media placement for the Mission and Washington agencies. Assists the Strategic Content and Media Coordinator in producing regular summaries of press and media coverage and its impact; prepares regular oral and written reports to Mission leadership and, as required, to Department of State (DOS) on Mission media engagement.
Organizes Mission activities and events to engage effectively with the press and media, whether in response to Ivoirian coverage, or to initiate dialogue on specific issues. Monitors the local news cycle for best timing of media interactions, specific points to be made (or not made), and other means for conveying information on or off-the-record.
Assists Mission personnel to prepare for direct interaction with press/media. Compiles background information on media outlet(s), prepares briefing materials, and compiles relevant DOS or other information/guidance about the issues to be covered and the questions or difficult issues that may come up. Helps coach Mission personnel on appropriate use of local language(s) to communicate policy issues. Ensures that Mission press/media interactions conform to agreed ground rules.

II. Strategic Planning (15%)
Working with the Strategic Content and Media Coordinator, assists in planning for Mission engagement with Ivoirian press and media, based on assessment of media's audience, geographic reach, political tendencies, and credibility. Advises on engagement with those outlets that reach audience groups of greatest importance to Mission priorities.

III. Intra- and Interagency Coordination (15%)
Following the Strategic Content and Media Coordinator’s guidance, advises Mission colleagues on how best to promote U.S. policy positions with press, media, and online outlets, to maximize accurate and balanced coverage.

IV. Administrative Functions (10%)
General: In coordination with the Resource Coordination team, maintains office records and files, and ensures that press and media activities and initiatives are recorded in Mission Activity Tracker (MAT) and contact databases as needed. Drafts office correspondence in English, including cables, event proposals, and evaluation reports. Provides informal interpretation and translation from/to English and French when required.

**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:

EXPERIENCE:  A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in a media outlet, think tank, university, NGO, international organization, foreign embassy, government office or corporation is required, with responsibility for public relations, public affairs, journalism, communications, marketing, managing public relations, outreach events, press conferences, and other media interactions as significant parts of the job is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in the host country, especially as they apply to press and media professionals, outlets, and online publications is required. Comprehensive understanding of host-country press/media institutions and professional journalism standards and practices, as well as trends in audience preferences for information consumption (print, TV, radio, online) is required. Must have an understanding of communication trends in the region and internationally as they affect the host-country information landscape and must be familiar with influence patterns in information flow. Knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis and audience analytics in the host country.

Education Requirements:

A university degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics or Languages/English is required.

Evaluations:

LANGUAGE: English Level 4 (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing of is required. “This may be tested”. 
                    French Level 4 (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing of is required. “This may be tested”.  

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 
Analytic skills: Ability to identify attitudes of press and media outlets and information consumers across a wide range of thematic policy areas is required. Must have good analytic skills to match specific U.S. foreign policy objectives with relevant host-country attitudes, perceptions, and stereotypes, and the ability to conceptualize how best to use the full range of PD communication and program tools to move those attitudes in positive ways.

Communication/Interpersonal skills: Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills. Must be able to identify influential voices in both traditional and digital information outlets and engage them to positive effect.

Management skills: Strong event and management skills are required. Must be able to organize and run events such as press conferences, interviews, workshops, and journalism training seminars, often on short notice or in emergencies.

Technical skills: Good keyboarding and data entry skills are required; excellent familiarity with electronic discovery tools, in particular the Internet, and standard information retrieval practices and procedures are required. Thorough, detailed knowledge of various computer software programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases, as well as PD-specific software, databases, and reporting tools is required.

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. 

In accordance with 29 CFR 1630.4(b), Post may consider disability as a positive factor for employment.

Qualifications:

All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

How to Apply

How to Apply:

All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust-background investigation clearance. 

To apply for this position click the “Submit Application” button.  For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.

Required Documents:

To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.

All Applicants:
• Residency and/or Work Permit (required)
• Proof of ivoirian citizenship (if applicable) (CNI, Attestation d'identité, passport, certificat de nationalité etc) (required)
• Current mission employees who are not Ivoirians are exceptionally eligible to apply and must provide copy of their "carte consulaire" or other identity document (if applicable)
• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Eligible Family Member Applicants:
• Copy of Sponsor's 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:

Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email. 

For further information - the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.

Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire