U.S. Embassy Monrovia,
Liberia
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 06-12
OPEN TO: ALL INTERESTED CANDIDATES (Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply)
POSITION: INFORMATION ASSISTANT, FSN-08 (Entry and Training Level) – full grade of position
FSN-09, *FP-05
OPENING DATE: February 09, 2012
CLOSING DATE: February 23, 2012
WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week
SALARY: *Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP-05 (to be confirmed by Washington) **Ordinarily Resident (OR): $14,809 per annum starting salary
NOTE: ALL NON-LIBERIAN APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS ALLOWING WORK IN COUNTRY BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. The U.S. Embassy is seeking an individual for the position of INFORMATION ASSISTANT within the Public Diplomacy Section.
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:
Under the supervision of the Senior Support Specialist and the Public Affairs Officer (PAO), the incumbent is the primary person responsible for information outreach initiatives for the US Embassy, including press events, media related training, media professional exchanges and other ECA/IIP programs as relevant. The incumbent is the key advisor to the Public Affairs Officer, and sometimes the Front Office, on Liberian trends reflected in the media and how to best get the US message out to Liberians. Incumbent assists in the reporting of advisories, press releases and cable reporting.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Liaises with Liberia media; print, radio, television; in order to advise the PAO on trends and developments to strategize how the US can best put out its message or how to promote the development of free media in Liberia.
• Manages ECA, FPC, ARS Paris, and IIP programs/resources dedicated to the media (coordinating with the ECA Assistant)
• Liaises with the Liberian Ministry of Information and other Ministries’ Public Affairs Offices to coordinate joint activities.
• Organizes and manages press conferences and events for the Ambassador, other sections of the Embassy and VIP visits.
• Drafts press releases, media advisories, talking points and cables/reports as assigned.
• Daily press summary; analyzes the media stories daily, writes a summary of trends and important headlines for the Embassy.
• On a daily basis, secures, and reviews Washington file (INFOCENTRAL) and selects articles for dissemination to the press.
• Clips articles and makes tapes of programs, and summarizes those regarding the Ambassador’s public diplomacy activities.
• Develops a filing system for storage of newspapers to ensure easy access and reference.
• Establishes and nurtures relationship with both PUL and other news media; regularly providing them with information on U.S. Policy.
• Drafts media reaction. QU
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. A college degree in Liberal Arts, Political Science, Economics, Journalism, International Relations or related fields is required. Specialized training in press and publications, writing, radio, TV, VTR and motion pictures is required.
2. Five (5) years progressively responsible experiences in the communication media as a journalist or radio broadcaster are required. Experience as an audio-visual specialist or computer specialist will be considered if work has been carry out with media organization.
3. Level IV (fluent) in written and spoken English. Level five English would be an advantage.
4. Thorough knowledge and understanding of the Liberia’s media, social, political and economic institutions and processes. General knowledge of the U.S., U.S. policies and U.S. social, political and economic institutions and processes. Understanding of and competence in Public Diplomacy Programming.
5. Ability to establish necessary rapport with key media contacts and interpret their attitudes and actions in order to perform work requirements in a satisfactory manner. Ability to establish priorities to set and meet deadlines. Clears and concise writing skills for drafting and editing.
A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available in the Human Resources Office, ((231) 777-054824) and at http://monrovia.usembassy.gov/vacancies.html.
SELECTION PROCESS:
When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application.
ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:
1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3. Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible to apply.
4. Currently employed US Citizen EFMs who hold a Family Member Appointment (FMA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment. 5. Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
TO APPLY: Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:
1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174); or
2. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or
3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus
4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application. 5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above. 3A.
If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application:
A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known)
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number)
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No)
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class/Type
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location)
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference
P. Education
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills
S. Work Experience
T. References
SUBMIT APPLICATION TO: Human Resources Office Attention: Information Assistant American Embassy P. O. Box 98 1000 Monrovia 10 Liberia Drop in application box at Gate #3 The Universal Application Form (DS-174) can be picked up at Gate 3 or the Human Resources Office or access on line
Application Deadline: Feb 23, 2012
