Temporary Public Engagement Specialist

An exciting opportunity has become available for a new team member to join the Public Affairs section at the U.S. Embassy in London. The Public Engagement Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Public Diplomacy Officer for Established Opinion Leaders (PDO/EOL) or Public Affairs Officer (PAO) designee and supervises the Public Engagement Assistant.

As the leading LE Staff strategist/advisor, you will be responsible for designing and coordinating the Mission's Public Diplomacy (PD) engagement with the EOL audience sector, to include senior cultural, academic, and community leaders who can influence U.K. priority audiences to advance U.S. policy objectives.

Exceptional organization and interpersonal skills are a must in this role, as are oral and written communications. You will be expected to collaborate with PD colleagues to integrate EOL engagement with outreach to the Emerging Voices (EV) audience sector, to include youth, minorities, and others who are able to influence U.K. attitudes toward the United States using new, often digital, communication networks rather than prominent protocol positions or established institutions. Working with the Strategic Engagement Coordinator, you will track trends in priority audiences through direct engagement, research, polling and statistical analysis and analytics; as well as design and recommend PD strategies to connect with priority audience sectors to promote understanding of U.S. policy.

A university degree in Communications, Journalism, International Affairs, American or Intercultural Studies, Marketing, or local equivalent is required.

EXPERIENCE:

At least four years of progressively responsible experience in a multicultural, multinational, academic or governmental work environment, with communications, project management, or education/cultural duties as a significant part of the job.

JOB KNOWLEDGE:

Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in the United Kingdom as they relate to EOL and EV 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 EV audiences and EOL institutions and experts; and understanding of factors and influence of institutions in shaping U.K. perceptions of the United States are all required. Must have general knowledge of project management, including defining project objectives, outcomes, and assessment methods. Knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis and analytics, and customer service standards in the United States and United Kingdom; knowledge of trends in EOL and EV audience engagement; understanding of communications in the region and the international information environment as it affects the United Kingdom; detailed knowledge of PD engagement
tools, with related policies and procedures for each; and knowledge of multiple PD resource streams and regulations are all required.

LANGUAGE:

Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Analytic Skills: Must have strong analytic skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use PD tools to move U.K. attitudes in positive ways. Must be able to advise senior Mission leaders of opportunities to promote Mission objectives; identify, analyze, predict, and assess audience attitudes; evaluate the impact of projects; and modify approaches for greatest outcomes. Must be attuned to the emergence of new influencers; must be able assess the impact of changes in the political, economic, and social spheres on target audiences, and adjust operations and programming accordingly. Communication Interpersonal Skills: Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal, and cross¬ cultural communication skills, and be able to 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 materials for
publication in English. Must be able to tailor communications to fit formal and informal situations and different cultures. 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 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, and PD-specific software, databases, and reporting tools, is required. 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 relevant audience segments and to describe the outcomes of Public Engagement activities and initiatives. Availability: Must be available to travel throughout the United Kingdom to support PD activities. This position may be required to regularly support events, VIP visits, or other work outside regular working hours or on weekends and holidays, or to travel to support the activities.

£73,286 gross starting salary per annum, (consisting of: basic salary £61,901, London Weighting £2,100, car allowance £4,129 and bonus £5,156)., Bi-weekly salary payments
- Merit Based Compensation (Performance Related Pay awards)
- Private Medical Insurance and Life Insurance Plans
- U.S. Embassy Group Personal Pension Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Annual and Sick Leave
- UK and U.S. paid public holidays
- Season Ticket Loan (Transportation)
- Training opportunities & personal development
- Restaurant facility
- On-site Gym
- On-site Metro Bank