Public Engagement Assistant (PD EOL) – AEFMs Only at U.S. Embassy to Kenya

Job Description

Basic Function of the Position:

The Public Engagement Assistant works under the direct supervision of the Public Diplomacy Officer – Established Opinion Leaders (PDO [EOL]). The position has no supervisory responsibilities. The PEA coordinates Mission Public Diplomacy outreach to EOL audiences through Department of State exchange programs, including YALI, Fulbright, IVLP, and newly established initiatives. Works with U.S.-Kenya exchange alumni to develop activities to engage strategic audiences through targeted programming, networking, and coalition-building. Designs, develops, identifies co-sponsors and funding sources, plans and oversees a range of outreach activities in support of Mission goals. Assists with recruitment and placement for Kenyan exchange program participants.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

JOB KNOWLEDGE: 

• Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and American interests as they apply to Kenya and especially to the EOL sector is required.
• General knowledge of USG and DOS structure, as well as of PD Bureaus within the Department, is recommended.
• Detailed understanding of the full range of PD tactics and tools designed to engage EOL audiences, and general knowledge of cross-cultural communications is required.
• Must have knowledge of Department standards for project management, including defining project objectives, outcomes, and assessment methods.
• Full understanding of PD-specific funding authorities and their planning and reporting tools is recommended.
• A thorough understanding of the attitudes and preferences of the EOL audience sector in Kenya, including the regional, ethnic, socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic factors and the religious and educational institutions that shape those attitudes, is recommended.
• Knowledge of typical customer service and marketing tools designed to engage specific audience segments, particularly the EOL sector, in Kenya is required. Knowledge of latest trends in  EOL engagement in related institutions including universities, creative economy, private sector companies is desired.
• Awareness of the types of technical and regulatory requirements associated with public engagement activities in Kenya is strongly recommended.
• Must have knowledge of the primary influencers in popular culture, as well as Kenyan institutions, government structures and policies that shape local attitudes.
• Must be knowledgeable of digital communication tools and practices trending with Kenyan audiences. Understanding of the complex and changing nature of the information environment, including current trends in international and Kenyan communications landscape is strongly recommended.

Education Requirements:

• EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: College or University studies (no specific field required) Plus 5 years of progressively responsible experience in a multilingual, multicultural, multinational, government, or museum environment with marketing, public relations, communication, or education duties as a significant part of the job is recommended.

Evaluations:

LANGUAGE: Level IV (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing of English is required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Analytic skills: Must have strong analytic skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use innovation and cutting edge experiential learning opportunities to attract EV audiences and engage them in positive ways. Must be able to advise senior leaders of opportunities to promote Mission MWF and other EV outreach objectives; identify, analyze, predict and assess EV audience attitudes; evaluate the impact of activities and projects and modify approaches for best outcomes. Must be able to perceive the emergence of new trends and new sources of influence on EV audiences and adjust operations and programming accordingly.
• Communication/Interpersonal skills: Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal cross-cultural communication skills, and be able to identify and engage key figures critical to developing MWF priority initiatives. Must have the capacity to quickly tailor communications to fit formal and informal situations and different ethnic, religious and linguistic cultural groups; must also have excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking, interviewing for evaluation purposes and writing reports and material for publication. Must be able to brief on a variety of issues.
• Management skills: Strong project management skills are required, including the ability to establish credibility and lead group participation in projects such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and other outreach programs, including activities conducted virtually. Must be able to negotiate agreements with partner institutions and manage their fulfillment.
• Technical skills: Good keyboarding and data entry skills, and 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 PD-specific software, databases, and reporting tools is required. Must be practiced in using social media and mobile platforms, podcasts, basic photo and video tools to generate group interest and participation. Must have good numerical skills to be able to develop and oversee project and grant budgets; must be able to develop descriptive statistical analysis of target audience segments and impact of MWF activities and initiatives.
• Availability: Must be available to travel throughout Kenya to support MWF and other EV projects and activities.

Qualifications:

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