Public Affairs Assistant November 2017

U.S. Embassy Samoa; see.

Image from, with caption: U.S. Ambassador and Gail Brown’s inaugural visit to Samoa

Public Affairs Assistant

November 2017

13. BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
Under the supervision of the Program Assistant and with guidance from the Public
Affairs Officer in Auckland, the incumbent plans, implements and manages logistics for
cultural and speakers programs, international exchanges such as the International Visitors
Leadership Program, public diplomacy grants, representational events, and military visits.
The Public Diplomacy Assistant is the Embassy’s main point of contact on media and
social media issues. The incumbent acts as an advisor to the Chargé d'Affaires (CDA) on
public diplomacy, protocol and cultural issues. Position is responsible for maintaining
contacts with appropriate cultural organizations, civil society organizations, government
contacts and media. Prepares reports, drafts speeches/talking points, and may provide
translation services for American officers.

14. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES % of time
A. Public Affairs 75%
 Plans and implements cultural and speakers programs, including arranging programming
and logistics for Arts Envoys, Sports Envoys, and visiting U.S. speakers. Establishes
contacts with schools, libraries, NGOs, universities and other institutions to schedule
speaking engagements by CDA, guest speakers and for other similar outreach activities.
 Identifies and recommends participants for cultural, academic and professional
exchanges. Has primary responsibility for management of International Visitors
Leadership Program (IVLP).
 Manages various Department of State grants offered to individuals and organizations
ranging from USD $4,000 to $100,000. Serves as a Grants Officer Representative as
needed. Manages the calls for grant proposals, collects submissions, and sits on grant
review committee. In certain cases, negotiates acceptable grant terms with NonGovernmental
Organizations (NGOs) and others, and follows up on requests for
additional information and documentation.
 Arranges media coverage of Embassy events and media engagements for Embassy
speakers and VIPs. Maintains positive relationships with Samoan media contacts, drafts
press releases and related material, and distributes press materials to local and regional
media, with translation as necessary. Matches media outreach plans to policy objectives.
 Manages Embassy’s social media platforms (Facebook Twitter, blogs, etc.). Creates
print, photo and video content and posts information to Embassy social media platforms
and monitors public reaction on social media. Working in conjunction with Embassy
Wellington’s Social Media Assistant, incumbent must be capable of resolving basic
technical issues related to social media.
 Liaises effectively with the Education Advisor/English Language Program Assistant on
joint education and English language activities, namely the American Corner and
education advising/English language grants and activities. Supports the education advisor
in liaising with and initiating State Department Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
English programs in support of local English teachers from e-Teacher scholarships to IV
English programs, English Teaching Forum magazines, etc.
 Provides PD support to multi-partner projects of the Embassy with other USG agencies
(such as Pacific Partnership with Department of Defense) and host nations committees
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November 2017
(such as the Samoa Disaster Action Committee). Responds to inquiries for in-depth
information from Samoan government figures, academics, the media, and researchers.
B. Political/Economic Reporting Analysis 10%
 Assists the Program Assistant in researching and drafting annual U.S. Government
reports such as the Human Rights Report, International Religious Freedom Report, and
Child Labor Report
 Prepares diplomatic notes and demarches for the approval of the Chargé d'Affaires, under
the guidance of the Program Assistant.
 Reviews daily media, legislative enactments, government policy and strategy reports,
international organization reports, economy indicator data and selects items of likely
interest to the Mission. Archives and distributes such items of interest to relevant parts of
the Mission.
C. Protocol, Representation and Translation 10%
 Provides advice on protocol, local legislation, and cultural expectations. Translates items
of an urgent nature from Samoan into English. Provides interpreting services for visiting
American officials, especially when nuance of meaning is important. Provides EnglishSamoan
consecutive interpreting services. Researches and prepares speeches and remarks
in English for the CDA’s use at official events. Advises CDA on appropriate attire and
customary behavior at public events.
 Manages the Embassy’s contact/invitation list; coordinates all major Embassy receptions,
events, workshops and conferences. Escorts CDA and or press and dignitaries at special
events. Makes appropriate introductions to CDA at public events.
D. Administrative 5%
 Prepares and organizes input to Embassy Apia’s Public Diplomacy Budget for review by
Program Assistant, Auckland Public Affairs Officer, and CDA. Handles petty cash
expenditures for PAS programs. Procures printed materials and print services. Acts as
back up to Program Assistant on budgetary matters.
 Provides guidance and advice to regional officers on issues pertaining to local staff
matters.
 Other duties as assigned
15. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE
a) Education: Completion of Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism,
Public Relations, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or
Business.
b) Prior Work Experience: 2 years of progressively responsible experience in public
affairs, including planning, organizing, marketing and executing public outreach events.
Experience in researching, analyzing and reporting on political and other developments in
Public Affairs Assistant
November 2017
country. Experience in planning and executing media and social events, including
conferences, and high-level meetings.
c) Post Entry Training: Post Regional Security Office (RSO) Security Briefing and other
training as required. Ethics for New Locally Employed Staff (PA453); and Cyber
Security Awareness Course (PS800), GOR training (PY220, PY224). Online Foreign
Services Institute (FSI) courses are available for additional training.
d) Language Proficiency: List both English and host country language (s) proficiency
requirements by level (II, III) and specialization (sp/read). Level 4 English and Samoan
(Fluent - Written and Spoken) ability is required.
e) Job Knowledge: A thorough knowledge of Samoan social structure, institutions, political
parties, public affairs contacts, historic development, and key figures in the mass media,
as well as political and security (police) figures is required. Similar knowledge of U.S.
foreign policy objectives with Samoa and a thorough understanding of public affairs
requirements and procedures are required. Incumbent must be familiar with
correspondence formats, press releases, government protocol, various social media
platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogs etc, basic understanding of video and
photographic equipment and editing.
f) Skills and Abilities: Strong interpersonal skills are needed, and the ability to develop and
maintain extensive high-level contacts among senior and/or future partners across
important sectors of society (media, cultural, educational, business, political, etc.). Ability
to set priorities, plan, arrange, execute and otherwise take full initiative for extensive
thematic and exchange programs. Must have excellent writing skills for drafting
correspondence, written analyses, speeches, social media content, and evaluation reports.
Presentation and public speaking skills. Ability to use Microsoft Office applications and
electronic technologies, including Internet and social media platforms is required. A valid
driver’s license is required in order to use Mission vehicles when required.
16. POSITION ELEMENTS:
a) Supervision Received: Position is directly supervised by the Program Assistant.
Incumbent is expected to perform various functions with minimum supervision but must
consult with the Program Assistant in case of any doubt.
b) Supervision Exercised: None.
c) Available Guidelines: Department of State Foreign Affairs Manuals and Handbooks
including the Mission directives and the Mission Performance Plan.
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November 2017
d) Exercise of Judgment: Incumbent must be able to work independently with minimal
supervision. Because of the sensitive nature of this job, the incumbent is expected to
perform his/her duties with an extraordinary degree of trust and confidence.
e) Authority to Make Commitments: No specific authority, but may be delegated
authority to make small purchases from the Mission petty cash or imprest account.
f) Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Deals daily with Samoan Government
officials at the highest level and senior members of the local diplomatic community, as
well as senior staff in broadcasting and press institutions, and leaders of civil society and
NGOs.
g) Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One (1) year.