Information Specialist

The U.S. Embassy seeks an Information Specialist to serve as the expert media outreach advisor to the Information Officer (IO), Public Affairs Officer (PAO), and other Mission agencies and personnel. This role is crucial for information program planning, effective media outreach, and providing expert analysis of the Kenyan media landscape, public opinion, and trends relevant to U.S. objectives.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Media Advisor (30%)

• Serve as the expert media outreach advisor to the IO, PAO, and other Mission agencies for information program planning, media outreach, and analysis.
• Advise the IO, PAO, and Mission personnel on the local cultural sensitivity of materials (op-eds, releases, etc.) prepared at Post and by Washington for placement in the Kenyan media. Provide similar advice on proposed Embassy and USG outreach activities involving the Kenyan media.
• Provide an assessment of the individual and collective value of proposed materials and outreach activities to the Mission and to USG objectives, advise on alternatives, and monitor publication, broadcasts, and overall coverage to report on their efficiency, economy, and effectiveness.
• Contribute to Mission strategic plan media components, formulate target audience evaluation processes, and plan, direct, and advise on overall information programs.
• Coordinate activities of other PAS media staff and advise IO/PAO on the selection, targeting, and placement of USG and Mission press materials to meet MPP objectives.

Analysis (30%)

• Advise the IO, PAO, other Mission Agencies, and the Ambassador on media reaction, current public and media opinion, and media and story trends of significance to the United States.
• Work with other PAS staff to review and edit daily press reports and media reaction products, providing analyses and interpretation of the local media treatment of stories of interest to the United States for distribution to Mission staff and visiting VIPs.
• Directly draft media products (including releases and advisories) on an as-needed basis.
• Monitor media freedom issues and draft media input for the Department's Annual Human Rights Report, and other annual reports as needed.
• May be required to interpret in the host country language Mission/USG presentations and to translate materials for placement in local Print and electronic media. Holds final responsibility for the policy accuracy of all local language translated materials, including official statements by the highest U.S. public and private authorities.

Media Relations (30%)

• Cultivate and maintain media contacts at all levels, including with media owners (at the highest level), managing editors, and station managers in press, radio, and TV to advance MPP goals.
• Periodically serve as traveling press liaison for Washington and Mission officials.
• Coordinate press interviews and materials, invitations to representational functions, Mission media briefings, and cultural activities.
• Coordinate countrywide information activities, including Mission media strategies and cultural programs, press conferences and press materials.
• Assist the social media coordinator in identifying and locating websites of local bloggers and Kenyans in the Diaspora as part of the Mission outreach program.

PAS Support (10%)

• Report on media activities via the Mission Activity Tracker (MAT) and other reporting mechanisms.
• Serve as backup to other PAS locally engaged staff during periods of leave, travel in support of Mission goals, high-level visits, and/or media-related activities that take them away from their duties. These responsibilities can include, but are not limited to, drafting daily materials, posting outreach material online, and sending media releases and advisories through electronic means.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Education Requirements:

• Must have a bachelor's degree in the social sciences or humanities, preferably in International studies or Communications media.
• Must have specialized training in media as well as in publications and/or public relations.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years experience in a reputable media house, private company media relations department, public relations organization, or government agency (if doing media work).

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Must possess advanced writing and analytical skills.
• Must possess an excellent public relations approach.

Other Requirements:

• All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Security clearance.
• All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
• Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.