Press and Media Coordinator (National/Regional) at U.S .Department of State

Duties

• The Press and Media Coordinator (National/Regional) works under the direct supervision of the Press and Media Specialist or Public Affairs Officer (PAO) designee.  The position has no supervisory responsibilities.  Monitors South African national and regional press and media coverage for issues of importance to the United States.  Identifies and advises Mission leadership on strategies for promoting, accurate, balanced South African 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.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
EXPERIENCE:

•  A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in a media outlet, think tank, university, non-governmental organization (NGO), interpersonal organization, foreign embassy, government office, or corporation is required, with responsibility for public relations, public affairs, other media interactions as significant part of the job.

Education Requirements:

• A university degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, or local equivalent is required.

Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:

• English (fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required
• One additional South African official language (fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing is required.  (This may be tested)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Analytic Skills:  Ability to identify, analyze, predict, and continually assess attitudes of press and media outlets and information, consumers across a wide range of thematic policy areas is required.  Must have strong analytical skills to match specific  U.S. foreign policy objectives with relevant South African attitudes, perceptions, and stereotypes, and the ability to conceptualize how best to use the full range of PD communication and program tools to move attitudes in positive ways.  Must have the ability to advise senior PD/Mission leaders of 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 South African influence landscape, and to adjust press/media operations and products to maximise balanced coverage for priority audiences.
• 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.  Must be able to communicate effectively in formal and informal situations on nuances of U.S. policy; must have excellent written and oral communication skills to speak publicly; write reports, press releases, and other products, engage in online forums; and contribute to situations.  Must be able to brief U.S. officers and visitors on variety of issues and interpret informally between English and local language for public programs.

Management Skills:  

• Strong event 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 is 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.  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 press and media analytics.  Must have basic familiarity with TV and radio production skills to oversee logistics for live or recorded coverage.  Ability to use social media and mobile platforms, photo editing software, photo and video sharing sites, and to create podcasts are all required skills.