US Embassy in Ethiopia
Position: Public Engagement Assistant (Press & Media)
Hiring Path: Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
- For USEFM – FP is 06. Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
- 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 U.S. Mission in Addis Ababa/Ethiopia is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Public Engagement Assistant (Press & Media) position.
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: 25% or less
Must be available to travel throughout the host country to support Mission press and media engagement activities.
Duties
The Press and Media Assistant work under the direct supervision of the Public Engagement Press and Media Coordinator. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. Monitors Ethiopian 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. The incumbent is responsible
for the 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.
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.
Education Requirements:
- Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application:
EDUCATION: A university degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics or Languages/English is required.
Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:
- Level 4 (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing Amharic is required.
- Level 3 (Good Working Knowledge) Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required. (This may be tested)
Skills and Abilities:
Analytic skills:
- The 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. Must have the ability to suggest opportunities to promote Mission objectives with key audience segments and identify creative approaches to address sensitive challenges. Must be able to perceive significant changes in the host-country influence landscape, and to suggest changes to press/media operations and products to maximize balanced coverage for priority audiences.
Communication/Interpersonal Skills:
- Must have excellent customer relations, and 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.
- Must be able to communicate effectively in formal and informal situations;
- must have good written and oral communication skills in order to speak publicly;
- write reports, press releases and other products;engage in online fora; and contribute to publications in English and Amharic.
- Must be able to tailor communications to fit formal and informal situations.
- Must be able to brief U.S. officers and visitors on a variety of issues and interpret between English and the host-country language for public programs.
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.
- Knowledge of PD-specific funding authorities is required.
- The ability to use digital platforms, tools and products is required.
- Must have good numerical skills to develop budget projections and statistics for press and media analytics. Must have basic familiarity with TV and radio production skills to oversee logistics for press and television coverage.
- The ability to use social media and mobile platforms and photo editing software, photo and video sharing sites, and create podcasts are all required skills.
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.
Qualifications:
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
AEFM / USEFM
FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
How to apply
In order to qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested completion of University degree and /or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide the requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this position.
- Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent) (if applicable)
- Residency and/or Work Permit (if applicable)
- Passport copy (if applicable)
- University degree (required)
- Work experiences (required)
- Certificate or License (if applicable)
- DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email or phone.