Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The U.S. Embassy to Kenya opened in 1964. Through sixteen Ambassadors since then, the Embassy has enriched the ties between the American and Kenyan people and served the needs of Americans in and around this East African hub. Chief among the U.S. Mission’s goals are fostering the development of a sound Kenyan economy, strengthening the institutions of Keny...

Responsibilities or duties

The Press and Media Coordinator works under the direct supervision of the Public Diplomacy Officer SCC/Media) or PAO designee. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. Monitors Kenyan press and media coverage of issues of importance to the U.S. Identifies and advises Mission leadership on strategies for promoting accurate, balanced Kenyan 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.

Major Duties

Press and Media Engagement Operations (60%)

• Designs and implements press and media activities for the Mission to promote balanced and informed coverage of U.S. policy, respond to breaking stories, correct misinformation, and counter dis-information.
• Recommends and organizes Mission initiatives to engage effectively with the press and media, whether in response to Kenyan coverage, or to initiate dialogue on specific issues. Assesses the news cycle for best timing of media interactions, specific points to be made (or not made), the appropriate protocol level, and other means for conveying information on- or off-the-record.

Strategic Planning (20%)

• Develops and recommends strategies for Mission engagement with Kenyan press and media. Analyzes media’s audience, geographic reach, political tendencies, and credibility. Recommends priority engagement with outlets that reach audience groups of greatest importance to Mission priorities.
• Recommends media engagement strategies for the Ambassador and other Mission leadership, based on analysis of individual skill, language ability, portfolio, experience, and expertise. Cultivates professional relationships with key media outlets and journalists, editors, and commentators for optimal coverage of U.S. and Mission priorities.

Intra- and Interagency Coordination (10%)

• Advises Mission colleagues on how best to promote U.S. policy positions with press, media, and online outlets, to maximize accurate and balanced coverage. Coordinates press and media engagement for all Mission agencies, and advises Mission personnel on optimal press and media strategies for judicial, legal, consular, economic, political, cultural, military, and other issues.
• Recommends Mission press and media responses to sensitive issues, in coordination with Department public affairs offices. Represents the PD Section at internal meetings to contribute press/media analysis to Mission strategies and events. Coordinates with the Strategic Content Coordination team to repurpose press and media guidance for non-press/media audiences.

​​​​​​​Administrative Functions (10%)

• Budgeting and Financial Resources: Prepares, manages and tracks annual budgets for press and media related activities, and contributes to the overall PD Tools , in consultation with the Resource Coordination unit.
• Grants: Serves as Grants Officer Representative (GOR), if required, for press and media training grants/cooperative agreements, with responsibilities as indicated in Delegation of Authority letter.
• General: In coordination with the Resource Coordination team, maintains office records and files, and ensures that press and media activities and initiatives are recorded in PD Tools and contact databases as needed.

Note: Job holder will perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Requirements:

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a: [HR DELETE THE OPTION THAT DOES NOT APPLY]

security certificate; or Public Trust security clearance.

Education Requirements:

A university degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics or closely related is required.

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.

You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.

You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications:

Experience:

A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in a media outlet, think tank, university, NGO, international organization, foreign embassy, government office or corporation is required, with responsibility for public relations, public affairs, journalism, communications, marketing, managing public relations, outreach events, press conferences, and other media interactions as significant parts of the job.

• Designs and implements press and media activities for the Mission to promote balanced and informed coverage of U.S. policy, respond to breaking stories, correct misinformation, and counter dis-information.
• Recommends and organizes Mission initiatives to engage effectively with the press and media, whether in response to Kenyan coverage, or to initiate dialogue on specific issues. Assesses the news cycle for best timing of media interactions, specific points to be made (or not made), the appropriate protocol level, and other means for conveying information on- or off-the-record.
• Develops and recommends strategies for Mission engagement with Kenyan press and media. Analyzes media’s audience, geographic reach, political tendencies, and credibility. Recommends priority engagement with outlets that reach audience groups of greatest importance to Mission priorities.
• Recommends media engagement strategies for the Ambassador and other Mission leadership, based on analysis of individual skill, language ability, portfolio, experience, and expertise. Cultivates professional relationships with key media outlets and journalists, editors, and commentators for optimal coverage of U.S. and Mission priorities.
• Advises Mission colleagues on how best to promote U.S. policy positions with press, media, and online outlets, to maximize accurate and balanced coverage. Coordinates press and media engagement for all Mission agencies, and advises Mission personnel on optimal press and media strategies for judicial, legal, consular, economic, political, cultural, military, and other issues.
• Recommends Mission press and media responses to sensitive issues, in coordination with Department public affairs offices. Represents the PD Section at internal meetings to contribute press/media analysis to Mission strategies and events. Coordinates with the Strategic Content Coordination team to repurpose press and media guidance for non-press/media audiences.
• Prepares, manages and tracks annual budgets for press and media related activities, and contributes to the overall PD Tools , in consultation with the Resource Coordination unit.
• Serves as Grants Officer Representative (GOR), if required, for press and media training grants/cooperative agreements, with responsibilities as indicated in Delegation of Authority letter.
• In coordination with the Resource Coordination team, maintains office records and files, and ensures that press and media activities and initiatives are recorded in PD Tools and contact databases as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• A university degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics or closely related is required.
• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in a media outlet, think tank, university, NGO, international organization, foreign embassy, government office or corporation is required, with responsibility for public relations, public affairs, journalism, communications, marketing, managing public relations, outreach events, press conferences, and other media interactions as significant parts of the job.