Experiential Learning Coordinator at U.S. Embassy South Africa

Duties

Summary:

• The Experiential Learning (EXPL) Coordinator at Consulate General Johannesburg recommends, implements, and evaluates public diplomacy “learning through experience” activities.  These activities promote economic growth and inclusion via programs like tech-camps, arts and sports programs, visiting speaker programs, grants, training, and other focused community engagement efforts.

Duties:

Project Development and Implementation (50% of time)

• Engages youth and marginalized communities to expand Consulate engagement with emerging voices audiences identified as priorities for Mission South Africa. Designs activities and projects; develops project objectives, identifies key communities and participants, and oversees/manages all project elements, including schedules, publicity/branding, transportation, equipment, and other requirements. Recruits credible South African institutions and individuals to support Consulate EXPL outreach. Maintains substantive contact with U.S. exchange program alumni. Assesses progress toward performance goals; assesses and reports on project outcomes.

Strategic Planning, Analysis, Evaluation (20% of time)

• As part of the PD Section’s annual plan to engage and inspire specific audience groups, designs and develops detailed PD initiatives to engage priority EV communities. Identifies segmented audiences where EXPL would have the greatest impact, using demographic statistics, public opinion polling, and analysis of communication and language preferences. Leverages U.S. private-sector EXPL programs and initiatives to expand PD outreach. Designs marketing and recruitment strategies to support EXPL outreach. Reviews, recommends, and participates in Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for grant and cooperative agreement proposals for EXPL outreach.

 Intra- and Interagency Coordination (15% of time)

• Develops working relations across the Consulate, Embassy Pretoria, and other posts. Promotes awareness among Consulate officers of EXPL, its economic benefits, and links to Mission goals. Develops opportunities for Consulate officers and community to participate in EXPL initiatives. Collaborates with colleagues to develop robust multimedia components in support of EXPL projects and activities.

Administrative Functions (15% of time)

• Prepares, manages, and tracks annual and individual project budgets for EXPL activities. Serves as Grants Officer Representative (GOR) for EXPL grants and cooperative agreements. Maintains office records and files. Drafts office correspondence and reports. Provides informal interpretation and translation from/to English and local language when required.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE: 

• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in a multilingual, multicultural, multinational, government, educational, or museum environment with marketing, public relations, communication, or education duties as a significant part of the job is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE:

• Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and American interests as they apply to South Africa, and especially to the EV sector, is required.
• General knowledge of USG and DOS structure, as well as of PD Bureaus within the DOS, is required.
• Detailed understanding of the full range of PD tactics and tools designed to engage EV audiences and general knowledge of cross-cultural communications are required. Must have knowledge of DOS 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 required.
• A thorough understanding of the attitudes and preferences of the EV audience sector in South Africa, including regional, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic factors and the religious and educational institutions that shape attitudes, is required.
• Knowledge of typical customer service and marketing tools designed to engage specific audience segments, particularly the EV sector, in South Africa is required. Knowledge of latest trends in EXPL engagement in related public service institutions such as schools, museums, and training institutes, as relevant for the EV sector, is required. Knowledge of the types of technical and regulatory requirements associated with arts, sports, technical learning camps, or other public engagement activities in South Africa is required.
• Must have knowledge of the primary influencers in popular culture, as well as South African institutions, government structures, and policies that shape local attitudes toward EXPL techniques and/or EV audiences, particularly youth.
• Must be a practitioner of digital communication tools and practices trending with youth audiences, as well as those used by cultural or idea leaders influential with the South African EV sector. Understanding of the complex and changing nature of the information environment, including current trends in international and the South African communications landscapes, is required.

Education Requirements:

• University degree in communications, international relations, intercultural/multicultural studies, museum education, marketing, or local equivalent is required.