Saturday, January 21, 2012

REQUIRED PRESS / MEDIA SPECIALIST FOR U.S. EMBASSY IN KUWAIT

The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Public Affairs Officer and/or Information Officer. S/he is responsible for planning and implementing the overall country-wide media program for one or more segments of a major post’s broad scope, complex, and diversified information program. The position provides supervision to one LE Staff (Information Assistant) and is responsible for providing training, guidance, performance coaching and evaluation.

Duties include:

- Maintains regular contact with high-level Kuwaiti officials in media and government circles, should have working level and senior contacts in all the major newspapers, TV stations, radio stations and throughout the Ministry of Information and KUNA. Advises PAO, Ambassador and Embassy section heads on public affairs strategies.
- Translates and analyzes the coverage of U.S. policy and of Kuwaiti politics, economics, and society by the 18 Kuwaiti dailies, as well as the growing number of on-line journals and blogs. Conducts daily morning press briefings for PAO and Senior Embassy Officers. Drafts and disseminates a daily press summary.
- Develops and maintains contacts with newspaper and on-line columnists, as well as bloggers. Develops and maintains contact with producers and editors of Kuwaiti television. Engages with, maintains contacts at, and monitors activities of Kuwaiti journalistic professional associations.
- On an ongoing basis, designs strategies for outreach to these key media contacts to promote placement of PD products. Designs training programs for Kuwaiti journalists, drawing on PD programs such as speakers and DVCs.

A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available in the Human Resources Office.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and/or Journalism, Liberal Arts, Political Science, Economics, International Relations, or related fields. Specialized training in press, publication, radio, audio-visual. Must have done at least one management or leadership training course during previous job experience.
2. Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in the communications media as a Journalist, Radio Broadcaster, writer, Public Relations, or Advertising Specialist, or a combination of similar, related experience. Three of those years should be in the position with leadership and/or managerial responsibilities.
3. Level IV (Fluent) in English and Level V (professional translator/interpreter) in Arabic, in writing, reading, and speaking. Able to accurately interpret and translate from Arabic to English and vice versa (both oral and written). Language skills will be tested.
4. Incumbent must have a detailed understanding of the host country’s media, political, economic, social and educational structure, institutions, political parties, and key figures in the mass media, military, government, labor and business circles. The incumbent should be able to clearly articulate their understanding of the aforementioned topics in both English and in Arabic and in written and oral form.
5. Ability to develop and maintain high level contacts in the media and in government, professional, and information circles. Ability to plan, arrange and execute one or more segments of the overall information program. Creative ability and imagination in planning, researching, writing and producing informational materials and programs. Sound intellectual, professional and political judgment in order to advise on selection and release of materials to the public and the news media.

SELECTION PROCESS

When fully qualified, U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and U.S. Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application.
Only those qualified applicants will be called for a test/interview.

Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered.
1. Application for US Federal Employment (DS-174) which is available on the Embassy’s site:. http://kuwait.usembassy.gov and/or
2. A current résumé or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as the DS-174 (specifically section 1-24 of the DS-174)
3. Copy of the high school certificate/university degree (per the requirement of the position).
4. Copy of the Civil ID or passport copy including the residence permit page.
5. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of the form DD-214.

SUBMIT APPLICATION BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE TO:
Human Resources Office
American Embassy Kuwait
Bayan, Block 13, Al-Aqsa Mosque Street
OR 
Email the application to: HROKuwait@state.govPlease note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

CLOSING DATE: January 30, 2012

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