Public Affairs Specialist

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED

The position is located in Washington, D.C. and is not eligible for remote work.

Candidate shall work directly with the DRL/PPD office, U.S. Department of State (DoS) to work as Public Affairs Specialist on the Press Team in DRL/PPD office, and perform Public Diplomacy and Digital duties as assigned to coordinate messaging and support DRL principals' public engagement, including coordinating and clearing response to media inquiries. The candidate in this role is responsible for drafting and coordinating clearance for press guidance, media notes, statements, fact sheets, briefing papers, and other social media or public diplomacy documents as assigned.

Public Affairs Specialist who will work primarily under the direction of the Deputy Director; and when guided, may receive tasks from the PD team lead and Office Director but will be managed by the contractor management, and that contractor management has the autonomy to deal effectively with the employee and implement employer practices. The assigned contractor shall:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support Press Guidance and Daily Press Cycle:
• Engage in the Department-wide process of press guidance collection on a number of regional and thematic portfolios as assigned.
• Draft, edit, coordinate, and clear related materials-including press guidance, media notes, statements, fact sheets, written responses to media inquiries, written materials for public release, and other documents as assigned.
• Liaise with counterparts in DRL policy offices and in the Press Offices of the regional and functional bureaus, in the Bureau of Global Public Affairs, and with Interagency partners as required.
• Demonstrate strong command of U.S. policy and communications strategies in the development of these materials, and strong communication and interpersonal skills in coordinating their clearance.
• Inform and advise counterparts in DRL policy offices of best practices in developing and clearing communications materials. Respond to journalists with final, cleared material as directed by office leadership.
• Support for Interviews, Public Speaking Requests, and Major Events:
• Assist in the preparation of department and DRL principals and other officials for media engagements, domestic public appearances.
• Research, draft, edit, clear, and coordinate background briefing papers, communications strategy planning documents, remarks, speeches, building blocks, and supporting materials for public release in advance of such engagements, as appropriate.
• Support all logistical and technological requirements of such engagements as required, including for prep sessions/murder boards.
• Support the press elements of certain major media events-such as the roll-out of Congressionally-mandated reports-as required.
• Pitch activities for DRL principals' engagement to outside media and other professional contacts, in coordination with office leadership.
• Liaise with counterparts in DRL policy offices and in the Press Offices of the regional and functional bureaus, in Bureau of Global Public Affairs, and with Interagency partners as required.
• Demonstrate strong command of U.S. policy and communications strategies in the development of these materials, and strong communication and interpersonal skills in coordinating their clearance.
• Attend working level meetings in the Bureau and across the Department on behalf of DRL/PPD, when directed.

• Public Diplomacy Support: Perform short- and long-term strategic communications planning.
• Strategically analyze audiences and the success of digital engagements in order to advise the office in developing impactful campaigns.
• Help design DRL outreach programs and major initiatives, such as the roll-out of the Department's annual Human Rights Report and other public events and public diplomacy campaigns.
• In coordination with the PD team, ensure messaging across public diplomacy products, activities, and platforms is consistent with bureau and Department strategic messaging.
• As needed, support the development of public diplomacy content and participate in public diplomacy activities, such as those associated with the International Visitors Leadership Program; and, as needed, back up digital media and press officer colleagues.
• Congressional Outreach Coordination: In coordination with the PPD team, ensure messaging across public diplomacy products, activities, and platforms is consistent with bureau and Department press messaging.
• In coordination with the Congressional Liaison, ensure DRL and Department press messaging is consistent with Congressional outreach products.
• Provide the Congressional Liaison with the latest press points on key issues and raise upcoming news-making activities by the Department and/or DRL.

4. Deliverables

• Draft press materials
• Design impactite social media content/campaigns, to include drafting messaging and creating graphics, videos, and other content
• Field media inquiries
• Organize media interviews and public events
• Analyze data and produce reports showing impact of campaigns to help steer future engagement efforts
• Develop necessary SharePoint or digital library of press materials
• Organize and host interactive digital engagements, online events, conferences, webinars, etc. via various platforms
• Summarize best practices and draft/explain standard operating procedures for both DRL/PPD internal and Bureau-wide purposes
• Create 508 compliant content for the DRL section of the state.gov website and for the Human Rights Report process

Qualifications/Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Mass Media or equivalent and 3 years of experience
• Experience working with media, organizing public events, hosting events on interactive virtual platforms.
• Ability to research information, monitor media and the development of U.S. democracy promotion and human rights protection policies and global communications in this field.
• Ability to digest data, and draft press materials, such as statements or remarks.
• Experience with these software products: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access); Microsoft Outlook; Adobe Products, G-Suite; HootSuite; Slack, Canva; digital videoconferencing (Zoom4Government, Teams, WebEx, Google Hangout, etc.).
• Ability to develop original content for DRL-online properties and other public for a, such as press releases and remarks using public affairs content, policy knowledge, and best practices for online communications.

• Ability to graphically design original artwork, images, and info-graphics for posting online.
• Quantitative analysis kills to conduct audience segmentation and assess messaging effectiveness.
• Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility regulations and policies; the ability to ensure 508 compliance of materials posted to the internet; and the ability to educate partners about 508 accessibility requirements.
• Proven ability to use good judgment and discretion in contributing to DRL/PPD operations and initiative to troubleshoot issues and suggest solutions/actions.
• Knowledge of U.S. foreign affairs/policy, especially pertaining to democracy promotion and human rights protection.
• Knowledge of the Department of State policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of communications and public relations theories and best practices.
• Knowledge of documentaries, podcasts, and other story-telling approaches.