Announcement Number: ASHGBAT-2024-029-RA

Hiring Agency: US Embassy in Turkmenistan

Position Title: Strategic Content Coordination Specialist -All Interested Applicants/All Sources (LE-6520)

Open Period: 01/07/2025 - 01/18/2025

Vacancy Time Zone: GMT+5

Series/Grade: LE - 6520 10

Salary: USD $37,541 /Per Year

Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Some Overtime may be required. Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Full Performance Grade - LE-10

Duty Location(s): 1 Vacancy in Ashgabat, TM

Duties

The Strategic Content Coordination (SCC) Specialist oversees online public engagement through the Mission’s digital properties (social media, mobile). Oversees the selection and production of strategic content for distribution in multiple digital and traditional formats to Turkmen audience groups. Develops the policies, procedures, and guidelines necessary for Mission use of evolving digital technologies. Coordinates Public Diplomacy (PD) strategic planning, audience research, and program evaluation and measurement. Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines for external Mission communication in crisis situations. The SCC Specialist works under the supervision of the Public Diplomacy Officer for Strategic Content (PDO[SC]) or Public Affairs Officer (PAO) designee.

Strategic Planning, Analysis, Evaluation, and Recommendations:

Identifies Mission foreign policy objectives to be directly supported by PD, in consultation with the PDO(SC) (or PAO designee) and senior Mission personnel. Initiates analysis of audience and media environment, using publicly available data when available; initiates development of proprietary Mission-generated audience analysis – structured interviews, focus groups, aggregated activity and project evaluations, demographic analyses – to match priority audience segments with the information format and communication channel (social media, niche publication, newspaper, TV, radio) each segment prefers.  Solicits recommendations and complies input on behalf of the Strategic Content Coordination Team for the Mission's Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) and updates to the Public Diplomacy Country Context (PDCC), in consultation with the PDO(SC) or PAO designee.

Implementation:

Continuously pursues multiple sources of strategic content – DOS guidance, DOS bureaus’ digital communications materials, Mission public engagement activities held in various locations throughout Turkmenistan – as well as third party content from partners, grantees, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) whose positions align with or provide local context for Mission strategic content. Identifies and advises Mission leadership on strategies for promoting accurate and balanced Turkmen press and media coverage of U.S. foreign policy and American interests, correcting misinformation and countering disinformation.  As editor, reviews all content for compliance with DOS and Mission requirements; obtains clearances as required; and recommends removal of inappropriate user-generated content.

Resource Management:

Prepares, manages, and tracks annual budget for the SCC unit, including human resources, program support and digital production equipment for community engagement activities and crisis communication needs. Contributes to the PD annual budget submission, in consultation with the Resource Coordination Specialist. Identifies and recommends funding for contracts to expand SCC capacity in areas of expertise not available on staff.  Serves as Grants Officer’s Representative (GOR) with responsibilities as indicated in the Delegation of Authority letter. The incumbent is required to coordinate with recipient individuals and organizations and is responsible for monitoring grantee compliance with grant terms by reviewing grantee accounting and interim reports and requiring timely submission of final program and financial reports. Coordinates with PD and Mission colleagues on questions of funding, expenditures and transfers. For DOS- initiated grants, acts as liaison between DOS-based GOR and local implementing institution(s).

Administrative Functions:

In coordination with the Resource Coordination Specialist, maintains required office records and files. Ensures that SCC engagement activities are appropriately recorded in PD Tools and contact databases as required. Drafts analytic and other internal reports and office correspondence in English, Russian, and Turkmen, including Notices of Funding Opportunity, specifications for contract requirements, and event proposals. Provides informal interpretation and translation between English, Russian, and Turkmen when required.  Serves as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for contracts in support of SCC operations. Note: This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

• All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust security clearance.
• All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
• Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time 1 month (2 weeks preferred) upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education:

• University degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, or other related fields/humanities or local equivalent 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. 

Experience:

• At least four (4) years of experience is required with public engagement, communications, or market research and analysis as components of the work. Experience must include designing and executing multimedia campaigns in digital and traditional formats.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience is required.

Language:

• English: Level 4 (FLUENT) Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required. This may be tested.
• Turkmen: Level 4 (FLUENT) Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required. This may be tested.
• Russian: Level 4 (FLUENT) Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required. This may be tested.

To get additional information and apply for the position, please follow the link.