Established Opinion Leaders Specialist (Senior Advisor) at U.S. Embassy South Africa

Duties

• The Established Opinion Leaders (EOL) Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Public Diplomacy Officer for Established Opinion Leaders (PDO/EOL) or Public Affairs Officer (PAO) designee.  The job holder is the leading locally employed (LE) Staff strategist/advisor responsible for Embassy Pretoria's Public Diplomacy (PD) engagement with Established Opinion Leaders, including influential individuals and institutions such as think tanks, professional associations, civil society organizations, prominent academics, and professional training institutions.  Designs and recommends PD strategies to support for U.S. policy.  Plans, develops, coordinates, oversees, and evaluates projects and initiatives to engage EOL subject matter experts and the audiences they reach.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

• EXPERIENCE:  This position requires at least  four years of progressively responsible experience in a multilingual, multicultural, multinational, academic,  or governmental work environment, with communications, project management, or education duties as a significant part of the job.  Experience with audience or market analysis, marketing, and managing social media content is required.  At least one additional year of supervisory experience is required.

Education Requirements:

• University degree in political science, economics, international relations, communications, American Studies or local equivalent is required.

Evaluations:

• LANGUAGE:  Level 4 (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required and Level 4 (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing one additional South African official language is required.  (This may be tested).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in South Africa as they relate to the influence of EOL institutions and experts; understanding of U.S. historical, political, economic, social and cultural forces that shape U.S. foreign policy, comprehensive knowledge of the policy focus and positions of EOL institutions and experts; and understanding of ethnic, socioeconomic cultural and linguistic factors and the influence of religious, cultural, and educational institutions in shaping South African perceptions of the United States are all required.
• Knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis and analytics, and customer service standards in the United States and South Africa; knowledge of trends in audience engagement; understanding of communications in the region and the international information environment as it affects South Africa; detailed knowledge of PD engagement tools, related policies and procedures for each; and knowledge of multiple PD resource streams and regulations are  all required.

Analytical Skills:  

• Must have strong analytical skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use PD tools  to move South African attitudes in positive ways.  Must be able to advise senior Mission leaders of opportunities to promote Mission objectives; and  modify approaches for greatest outcomes.  

Communication Interpersonal Skills:  

• Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal, and 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, writing reports and contributing material for publication in English and local language.

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 seminars, video conferences, panel discussions, lectures, and professional and academic programs.  Must be able to negotiate agreements with partner institutions and manage their fulfilment.

Technical Skills:  

• 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, podcase creation, and basic photo and video  skills are required.  Must have good numerical skills to develop and manage project and grant budgets; must be able to develop descriptive statistical analysis of target audience segments and to describe the outcomes of EOL activities and initiatives.
• Proficiency Microsoft Word may be tested.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel may be tested.