Press and Media Coordinator Job at the U.S. Mission

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria comprises of the Embassy in Abuja, FCT, and the Consulate General in Lagos. U.S. Consulate General Lagos is the Mission’s representative to the Nigerian people in the southern region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Press and Media Coordinator

Announcement Number: Lagos-2023-110
Job Location: Lagos
Series/Grade: LE - 6510 9
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week
Promotion Potential: LE-NA

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
  • For USEFM - FP is 5/1 ($50,662).  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period.

Summary
The work schedule for this position is:

• Full Time (40 hours per week)
• Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (6 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No

Duties

• The Press and Media Coordinator monitors Nigeria press and Media coverage of issues of importance to the United States.
• Identifies and advises Consulate General Leadership on strategies for promoting accurate and balanced Nigeria Press and Media Coverage of U.S. foreign policy and American interests, correcting misinformation and countering disinformation. Builds productive relationships with press and media professionals in person and online.
• This Mission is an OSM 5 or 5+post, a large Mission located in a country of major importance to the United States.
• Nigeria has the highest level of global influence of the vast majority of other countries around the world and its government is a principal player with which the United States interacts in all aspects of pressing multilateral issues. 

Qualifications and Evaluations
Education Requirements:

• A University Degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, or local equivalent is required.
• Note: NYSC Certificate/Exemption/Exclusion document is required.
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.

Experience:

• Four (4) years of experience in a media outlet, international organization, government, or the private sector, with experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or public affairs is required.
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Job Knowledge: 

• A comprehensive understanding of Nigerian press and media institutions, professional journalism standards and practices, and trends in audience preferences for information consumption (print, TV, radio, online) is required.
• Must have an understanding of communication trends in the region and internationally as they affect the Nigerian information landscape and must be familiar with influence patterns in information flow. Must have knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis, and audience analytics in Nigeria.
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Evaluations:

• This may be tested. Please specify your level of proficiency in the language listed.

Language: 

• Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required.
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Language.

Skills and Abilities:

• Analytic Skills: The ability to identify, analyze, predict, and continually assess the attitudes of press and media outlets and information consumers across a wide range of thematic policy areas is required.
• Must be able to perceive significant changes in the Nigerian influence landscape and to adjust press and media operations and products to maximize balanced coverage for priority audiences.
• Management Skills: Strong event and management skills are required. Must be able to organize and run events such as press conferences, interviews, workshops, and journalism training seminars, often on short notice or in emergencies.
• Technical Skills: Good keyboarding and data entry skills are required; excellent familiarity with electronic discovery tools, in particular the internet, and standard information retrieval practices and procedures is required. Thorough knowledge of various computer software programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and databases, is required.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills. Must be able to identify influential voices in both traditional and digital information outlets and engage them to positive effect.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills in order to speak publicly; write reports, press releases, and other products; engage in online forums; and contribute to publications. Must be able to tailor communications to fit formal and informal situations. Must be able to brief U.S. officers and visitors on a variety of issues.
• Detailed knowledge of and the ability to use digital platforms, tools, and products are required. Must have good numerical skills to develop budget projections and statistics for press and media analytics.
• Must have basic familiarity with TV and radio production skills to oversee logistics for press and television coverage. The ability to use social media and mobile platforms, photo editing software, photo and video sharing sites, and podcast creation tools is required.
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

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.

Benefits and Other Info
Benefits:

Agency Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Lagos, Nigeria may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

Hiring Preference Selection Process: 

• Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. 
• Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring Preference Order:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

Important

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability dated within the past six months, equivalent documentation, or certification. 
• A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant.
• The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given. 
• This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
• For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

Marketing Statement:

• We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Salary
USD $30,488 /Per Year

Important Information

• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a public trust clearance.
• To apply for this position, click the “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY”  button at the top of the page. Click on the “Submit Application” button to complete your application process. For more information on how to apply, visit the Mission internet site.

Required Documents:

• To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.

All Applicants:

• Residency and/or Work Permit
• Degree (not transcript)
• NYSC Certificate/Exclusion/Exemption

Eligible Family Member Applicants:

• Copy of Sponsor's Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

Next Steps:

• Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
• For further information - the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
• Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Lagos, Nigeria.