Earn 63m annually as Social Media/CVE Program Assistant at United States US Embassy / Mission

Job Title:           Social Media/CVE Program Assistant
Organisation: United States
US Embassy, US Mission in Uganda
Duty Station: Kampala,
Uganda
Salary Grade: FSN-8 (Ugshs
63,281,227 p.a.  inclusive of allowances)
Vacancy Announcement Number:
09-17
About US Embassy:
The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic
relations with Uganda for over 30 years. 
Ambassador Deborah R. Malac currently heads the U.S Mission to
Uganda.  The Mission is composed of
several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy
and at the direction of the Ambassador.
Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are:
  • United States Agency for International
    Development (USAID)
  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • Peace Corps
Job Summary: The Social
Media/CVE Program Assistant serves as an advisor to the Public Affairs Officer
(PAO), Information Officer (IO), and Information Assistant, with primary
responsibility for managing the Mission’s social media platforms, to include
the development and scheduling of content that reflects U.S. government
programs and activities in Uganda, and best conveys the Mission’s strategic
messages to key local audiences. He or she monitors local social media spaces
and provides guidance to the PAO and IO on trending issues and topics, and
makes recommendations for potential Mission responses to online audiences. The
incumbent has further responsibility for developing programs that enhance the
U.S. government’s objective of countering violent extremism (CVE), working with
local communities to implement such activities. The Social Media/CVE Program
Assistant serves as a back-up to the Media Program Assistant, and in his or her
absence, to the Information Assistant. The incumbent briefs the Front Office
and other American officers on current developments and trends on a weekly
basis and whenever required on a daily basis, with a particular emphasis on
online trends and attitudes in Uganda. Incumbent advises American officers on a
variety of sensitive political, social, and cultural issues and related
matters, such as gauging the probable reaction of Uganda government officials
to U.S. views or proposals, as well as those of the general public. The
incumbent must also display initiative in designing and suggesting potential
CVE programs for funding and implementation. The incumbent must be able to
brief the PAO, IO, TDY visitors, Deputy Chief of Mission and Ambassador on
developments and issues with authority and accuracy.  This involves oral or written briefings and
inputs, evaluating events in historical perspective and identifying their
relationships to national trends and to the interests of the U.S. Incumbent
must be able to make reasonable projections about the future course of politics
and social changes, demonstrating critical judgment and as strong integration
of sensitive social, political and economic factors. The incumbent must
maintain a wide range of contacts at the highest level of government including
senior government and military officials, the media, academia, representatives
from Uganda’s traditional kingdoms, civil society activists, and high ranking
members of the Muslim community.
Key Duties and
Responsibilities:   
Research, Report and Advice on Political, Social and Cultural
Developments: 15%                                                                                                                                                                  
  • The incumbent must be able to brief the
    PAO/IO, TDY visitors, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Ambassador on
    developments and issues with authority and accuracy whenever required.  This involves preparing oral or written
    briefings and inputs, evaluating events in historical perspective and
    identifying their relationships to national trends and to the interests of
    the U.S.
  • The incumbent must be able to make
    reasonable projections about the future course of politics and social
    changes, demonstrating good judgment and 
    strong intellectual integration of social, political and economic
    factors.    
Media Monitoring and Media Relations: 15%                                                                                                                              
  • The incumbent monitors and formulates
    media content related to U.S. programs and activities in Uganda. He or she
    monitors all local papers, television broadcasts and key radio outlets, as
    well as leading social media sites and online influencers, on items of
    interest to the entire Mission.
  • The incumbent compiles a daily trending
    online media report and drafts media reaction reports as appropriate to be
    disseminated to relevant external and internal recipients in the U.S
    government.  
  • Guides the PAO, IO, and other American
    staff on any developments related to U.S. government activities on interests
    in Uganda that appear in traditional or online media.  Keeps in touch with media organizations
    and individuals, and works with the Information Officer and Information
    Assistant to maintain up-to-date media contact lists as well as up-to-date
    entries in the contacts database.
  • Uganda has a vibrant media society and an
    increasing number of individuals using social media to influence
    government and society, many of whom face government intimidation. 
  • The incumbent closely monitors relations
    between the government and the media, changes in media-related
    legislation, and other online issues, in order to inform U.S. officials
    about trends and developments.
Social Media Development, Outreach and Monitoring: 35%                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • The incumbent is directly responsible for
    all Mission social media outreach management in Uganda. Responsible for
    creating and managing the Mission’s social media platforms, including running
    daily updates on all social media platforms. Plans and drafts social media
    content that highlights key USG activities and programs in Uganda. Working
    with all Mission agencies, oversees all social media engagements with key
    USG audiences like youth, students, media, women, Muslims, inter-faith
    groups and other interest groups. 
    From outreach findings, the incumbent works with the PAO and IO to
    design and implement public diplomacy programs aimed at the development of
    social media messaging in Uganda. 
  • The incumbent is also responsible for
    planning, organizing and facilitating social media trainings and workshops
    to propagate USG goals to key Ugandan audiences, including conducting
    speaking engagements to train Ugandans on responsible use of social media. 
  • The jobholder also develops and
    disseminates relevant information resources through social media outlets
    to a Ugandan public as well as through visual diplomacy tools like digital
    video conferences (DVCs), training workshops, and speaker programs.
  • Regularly monitors changes in social media
    technology and, in consultation with the PAO and IO, creates/ manages
    content on new social media platforms as per key USG messages.
Program Support, Muslim and Youth Outreach: 35%                                                                                                          
  • Assists Public Affairs Section programs,
    including those originated by the Information Resource Center and /or the
    Cultural Affairs Unit, PEPFAR, USAID and CDC, particularly with social
    media support. 
  • The incumbent is the Mission’s foremost
    expert on, and liaison to, the Muslim Community in Uganda. Incumbent is
    responsible for formulating and coordinating Muslim outreach campaigns and
    monitoring grants related to Muslim communities.
  • The incumbent designs and implements
    public diplomacy programs targeted at the Ugandan Muslim community.  Also works with the PAO, IO, Cultural
    Affairs Officer, and other Mission personnel to promote inter-faith
    relations as part of wider USG goals. Incumbent must initiate and maintain
    a broad range of contacts in his/her portfolio at the highest levels of
    the Uganda Muslim community, which includes the key leadership of the
    different groups, as well as key inter-faith leaders from other religious
    denominations. To maintain and expand these contacts, incumbent attends
    inter-faith gatherings, important Muslim public meetings, legislative
    Muslim councils, conferences and seminars relevant to his/her portfolio.
    Drawing on his/her broad base of contacts, the incumbent assists with the
    selection of candidates for Muslim-related Public Affairs programs.
  • The jobholder is responsible for
    suggesting new Muslim contacts with which the Section can engage. He/she
    helps orient new American officers by introducing them to key Muslim contacts
    and opinion leaders. Incumbent also develops guest lists for Muslim
    representations, events, and advises them on relative importance and
    experience of policy makers. 
    Incumbent must therefore keep abreast of domestic and regional
    events as well as its various actors and trends related to Muslim affairs.
  • The incumbent is also responsible for
    planning and managing Public Diplomacy Muslim Speaker programs. With
    supervision from the Cultural Affairs Officer, the incumbent plans and
    executes public engagements for the Muslim speaker across the country.
  • Assists the Media/Youth Program Assistant
    in developing and implementing Mission youth outreach activities including
    trainings, workshops, digital video conferences, and speaker
    programs.  
  • Works with the PAO, IO, and Media/Youth
    Program Assistant to design and implement social media outreach campaigns
    and other activities targeting Ugandan youth. 
  • Disseminates relevant information
    resources to our youth contacts via social media.
  • Drawing on his/her broad base of contacts,
    incumbent assists with the selection of candidates for available Public
    Diplomacy programs, particularly media, youth, and Muslim exchange
    programs. 
  • The jobholder is also responsible for
    suggesting new contacts with which the section can engage. 
Qualifications, Skills and
Experience:
NOTE:  All applicants
must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and
comprehensive information supporting each item.
  • The ideal candidate for the United States
    US Embassy Social Media/CVE Program Assistant job placement should hold a University
    Degree in Social Sciences, Journalism, or Broadcasting is required.
  • At least two to three years of progressive
    work experience in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, or
    IT-related work with a private or public organization is required.  Military experience is welcome.
  • The job requires astute judgment, quick
    decision-making skills and the ability to form thoughtful connections
    between different political and social developments. 
  • The job also requires highly developed
    diplomatic and communications skills to be able to engage with career and
    elected U.S. or Ugandan government officials at the highest levels.
    Incumbent must be able to independently interact with U.S. officials on key
    substantive issues and informational requests. 
  • Superior writing and communication skills
    so as to minimize editing by the American supervisors thereby allowing
    them to focus their time more efficiently.
  • The incumbent must also be familiar and
    comfortable using various social media platform, possess a thorough
    understanding of Uganda’s key social media influencers, and be willing and
    able to adapt to and use the latest technology in order to advance U.S.
    messaging.
  • Working knowledge with the local media
    community, Ugandan military, social media environment, and civil society
    is   required. 
  • Computer literacy skills i.e. proficiency
    in the use of personal computers (Microsoft programs) is required. 
  • Ability to exercise initiative,
    resourcefulness in obtaining information, drafting concise reports in English,
    develop and maintain contacts with various media and civil societies or
    institutions is required. 
  • Familiarity with social media platforms
    and webpage content management is required
  • Language Proficiency: Level IV
    English speaking and writing ability is required.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates who wish to join the
United States Embassy in Kampala are encouraged to Apply Online by following
the instructions below;
  • Applicants shall be required to register
    under the careers page for US Embassy Kampala using the link, Click Here
  • You will receive confirmation of
    registration and proceed to apply.
  • On completion of this process you will
    receive an auto response via your email.
NB: Applicants claiming a
U.S. Veteran’s preference must submit written documentation confirming
eligibility (e.g., Member Copy 4 of Form DD-214, Letter from the Veteran’s
Administration, or certification documenting eligibility under the VOW Act with
an expected discharge no later than 120 days after the certification is
submitted) by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the written
documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the
closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veteran’s preference will
not be considered in the application process. Specific criteria for receiving a
U.S. Veteran’s preference may be found in HR/OE’s Family Member Employment
Policy (FMEP).
Deadline: 30th March,
2017
The US Mission in Kampala 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.  The
Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all
personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.
For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or
find us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline