Public Engagement Specialist/ Press and Media Coordinator -- Training Level

The Press, Media, and Community Management Coordinator works under the direct supervision of the Deputy Public Affairs Officer (DPAO) (or PAO designee).  The position has no supervisory responsibilities.  Monitors press and digital media coverage of issues important to the United States.  Identifies and advises Mission leadership on strategies for promoting accurate, balanced press and digital 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.  Maintains Mission flagship digital properties (social media, website content). Researches and analyzes audiences for Mission digital properties; customizes content and online engagement to promote Mission objectives. 

Is the leading LE Staff strategist/advisor responsible for Mission’s Public Diplomacy (PD) engagement with Established Opinion Leaders, including influential individuals and institutions such as think tanks, syndicates, labor unions, professional associations, civil society organizations, prominent academics, and professional training institutions.  Designs and recommends Public Diplomacy strategies to connect with EOL audiences to build and sustain productive dialogue, and promote understanding of and support for U.S. policy.  Plans, develops, coordinates, oversees and evaluates projects and initiatives to engage EOL subject matter experts and the audiences they reach.

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, outreach events, press conferences, and other media interactions as significant parts of the job.  Must have experience managing digital properties, and content creation in multimedia and traditional formats. 

JOB KNOWLEDGE:  Must have an understanding of communication trends in the region and internationally as they affect Syria’s information landscape and must be familiar with influence patterns in information flow. 

Knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis and analytics, and customer service standards in the United States and host country; knowledge of trends in audience engagement; understanding of communications in the region and the international information environment as it affects the host country; detailed knowledge of PD engagement tools, related policies and procedures for each; and knowledge of multiple PD resource streams and regulations are all required. 

Must understand management of digital properties and online communities, including marketing and/or advocacy campaigns.   Knowledge of trends in regional and international communications patterns and how they affect host country communications landscape is required. Comprehensive knowledge of both traditional and online engagement tools and programs used to convey policy in the public sphere, as well as knowledge of the related regulations, policies, procedures, and resource streams associated with each are all required.    

Must have general knowledge of project management, including defining project objectives, outcomes, and assessment methods.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: A university degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, or related major is required.

LANGUAGE:  Fluent level English in speaking/reading/writing and Fluent level Arabic in speaking/reading/writing required.   This may be tested.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES (This may be tested): Ability to identify, analyze, predict, and continually assess attitudes of press and digital media outlets and information consumers across a wide range of thematic policy areas is required. Must be able to brief U.S. officers and visitors on a variety of issues and interpret between English and Arabic for public programs. Must have excellent oral communication skills, including public speaking and interviewing for evaluation purposes, and for informal, on the spot interpretation in English and Arabic.

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.  Strong organizational skills are required to manage multiple social media platforms and actively engage with the public simultaneously on them.

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, and reporting tools is required. Detailed knowledge of and ability to use digital platforms, tools and products are required.  Must have good numerical skills to develop budget projections and statistics for audience and other analytics.

Must be able to create and use photo and video sharing sites, podcasts, video, and other digital products.  Must be fully adept at using audience analysis and analytic tools (i.e., Hootsuite, Google, and others).

*Please note that this position is also being advertised at the full performance level, see the VA Istanbul-2022-005RA to apply.

DEADLINE: JUNE 8, 2022