U.S. EMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # Ouaga-2023-025

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT (EMERGING VOICES (EV)) SPECIALIST
The U.S. Mission in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Public Engagement (Emerging Voices (EV)) Specialist in the Public Diplomacy Office.

Opening Date : July 03, 2023
Closing Date : July 17, 2023
Open to : All Interested Applicants/All Sources
Work Schedule : Full-Time (40 hours/week)
SALARY : *Ordinarily Resident (OR) : CFA 18,620,494 p.a. (Starting Salary)
(Position Grade : FSN-10)

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION :

The Emerging Voices (EV) Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Public Diplomacy Officer (or designee) and supervises the Experiential Learning/Education Outreach Coordinator and the American Center Director/English Language Coordinator. Is the leading LE Staff adviser for the Mission’s Public Diplomacy (PD) engagement with the Emerging Voices (EV) audience sector : primarily youth, minorities, and others who are able to influence Burkinabe attitudes toward the U.S. using new, often digital, communication networks rather than prominent protocol positions or established institutions.

Plans, develops, coordinates, oversees, and evaluates impact of all PD activities, projects and initiatives to engage EV audience sectors. Tracks trends in emerging networks through direct engagement, research, polling and statistical analysis and analytics. Designs and recommends PD strategies to connect with EV audience sectors to promote understanding of and support for U.S. policy and dispel inaccurate perceptions. Directly supervises two (2) staff (Experiential Learning/Education Outreach Coordinator, American Center Director/English Language Coordinator).

Oversees and coordinates activities of the Partner American Spaces (American Corners in Koudougou + Bobo-Dioulasso...) by way of a contract or other instrument. Monitors performance and obtains results from contracted Partner American Space Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED :

1. EDUCATION : University degree in Communications, Journalism, International Affairs, American or Intercultural Studies, Marketing, or local equivalent is required.
2. EXPERIENCE : This position requires at least four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a multilingual, multicultural, or multinational work environment with marketing, public relations, communication, or education duties as a significant part of the job is required. Experience with audience or market analysis and managing social media accounts is required. At least one (1) additional year of supervisory experience is required.

3. LANGUAGE : English : Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing is required. French : Good working knowledge Speaking/Reading/Writing is required. This may be tested.

4. SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Analytic skills : Must have strong analytic skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use PD tools to move Burkinabe attitudes in positive ways. Must be able to advise senior Mission leaders of opportunities to promote Mission objectives ; identify, analyze, predict and assess EV audience attitudes ; evaluate the impact of projects and modify approaches for greatest outcomes. Must be able to perceive the emergence of new influencers 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 shaping local public opinion. Must 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 tailor communications to fit formal and informal situations and different ethnic, religious and linguistic cultures. Must be able to brief on a variety of issues and interpret between English and French for public programs.

Management Skills : Strong project management skills are required, including the ability to develop and oversee project budgets and to organize, run, and present projects such as workshops, seminars, digital video conferences, panel discussions, lectures and camps. 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, graphic design and photo editing software, and PD-specific software, databases, and reporting tools is required. Detailed knowledge of and ability to use social media and mobile platforms, photo and video sharing sites, podcast creation, and basic photo and video skills are all required. Must have good numerical skills to be able to develop and manage project and grant budgets ; must be able to develop descriptive statistical analysis of target audience composition and measure the impact of EV activities and initiatives. This may be tested.

Availability : Must be available to travel throughout Burkina Faso to support EV activities.

5. JOB KNOWLEDGE : Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in Burkina Faso, especially the EV sector ; understanding of U.S. historical, political, economic, social and cultural forces that shape U.S. foreign policy ; comprehensive knowledge of the attitudes and preferences of the EV audience sector(s) ; understanding of regional, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural and linguistic factors and the influence of religious, cultural and educational institutions in shaping EV perceptions of the U.S. are all required.

Knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis and analytics, and customer service standards in the U.S. and Burkina Faso ; knowledge of trends in experiential learning and audience engagement ; understanding of communications in the region and the international information environment as it affects Burkina Faso. Must have general knowledge of project management, including defining project objectives, outcomes, and assessment methods.

HOW TO APPLY : Applicants must complete the following application process to be considered :

• Create an account on the Electronic Recruitment Application (ERA) Website at https://erajobs.state.gov/dos-era/bfa/vacancysearch/searchVacancies.hms
• Choose Announcement Number : Ouaga-2023-025, Public Engagement (Emerging Voices (EV)) Specialist and complete the online application.
• Upload any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. c degrees, work attestations/certificates, wok permits & SF 50 if applicable) into the Electronic Recruitment Application system.

For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site https://bf.usembassy.gov/jobs/
Required Documents :
Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application :

All Applicants :
• Residency and/or Work Permit (If applicable)
• University degree in Communications, Journalism, International Affairs, American or Intercultural Studies, Marketing, or local equivalent is required.
• Work Attestations/Certificates
• Other documents

Eligible Family Member Applicants :
• Copy of Sponsor’s Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Passport copy
• DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

What to Expect Next : Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via telephone calls and email.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION : Contact the Human Resources Office at 25 49 53 00

Note :
• All Application must be made in English.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY : 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. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.