Public Engagement Specialist

The Established Opinion Leaders (EOL) Specialist is the leasing LE Staff strategist/advisor responsible for Mission's Public Diplomacy (PD) engagement with Established Opinion Leaders, including influential individuals and institutions such as think tanks, professional associations, non-governmental and civil society organizations, prominent academic, and professional training institutions. Designs and recommends Public Diplomacy strategies to connect with EOL audiences to build and sustain productive dialogue, and promote understanding of and support for U.S. policy, particularly the need for increased defense spending and adapting to meet the challenges of today and the threats in the future. Plans, develops, coordinates, oversees and evaluates projects and initiatives to engage EOL subject matter experts and the audiences they reach. Coordinates the Mission's exchange programs for EOL audiences. Is the leading Public Diplomacy LE Staff responsible for the financial, program, and property resources that support Public Diplomacy (PD) projects and programs countrywide. Oversees use of multiple and diverse funding streams, and ensures their compliance with all relevant USG regulations and Belgian laws. Manages grants and acquisitions and use of PD section materials and equipment. Serves as primary liaison for the PD Section with Management Section and offices, and coordinate resources with regional PD bureau. The EOL Specialist works under the direct supervision on the Public Diplomacy Officer (PDO) for Public Engagement, and has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE: This position requires at least four years of progressively responsible experience in a multilingual, multicultural, academic or governmental work environment, with communications, project management, or education duties as a significant part of the job. Experience with audience or market analysis, marketing, and managing social media content is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in NATO as they relate to the influence of EOL 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 EOL institutions and experts, understanding of regional, socio-economic, and cultural factors in shaping NATO audience perceptions of the U.S. are all required.

Education Requirements:

University degree in political science, economics, international relations, communications, journalism, or history is required.

Evaluations:

LANGUAGE: Fluency in English. This may be tested.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Analytic skills: Must have strong analytic skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use PD tools to move NATO audience attitudes in positive ways. Must be able to advise senior Mission leaders of opportunities to promote Mission objectives; identify, analyze, predict and continually assess EOL audience attitudes; evaluate the impact of projects and modify approaches for best outcomes. Must be able to perceive the emergence of new influencers and adjust operations and programming accordingly.   

Communication / Interpersonal skills: Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal cross-cultural communication skills, and be able to identify and 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 material for publication in English. Must be able to tailor communications to fit formal and informal situations and different ethnic, religious and linguistic cultures. Must be able to brief on a variety of issues. 

Management skills: Strong management skills are required, including the ability to develop and oversee project budgets and to organize, run, and present professional and exchange projects such as workshops, seminars, digital video conferences, panel discussions, lectures and professional and academic. 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, graphic design and photo editing software, and PD-specific software, databases, and reporting tools is required. Must have good numerical skills to be able to develop and manage projects and monitor grant budgets; must be able to develop descriptive statistical analysis of target audience segments and to describe the outcomes of EOL activities and initiatives.

Availability: Must be able to travel throughout the North Atlantic region to support EOL activities.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.