Public Engagement Specialist (Press and Media) at the U.S. Embassy

Position description

The U.S. Embassy in Brussels is looking for a Public Engagement Specialist (Press and Media) to join the Public Affairs section.

Your responsibilities:

• The Press and Media Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Deputy Public Affairs Officer (or PAO designee).
• Oversees press and media operations for the Mission, promoting understanding of and support for U.S. policy.
• Serves as chief advisor to the Mission on policy advocacy through media engagement.
• Identifies long-term trends and emerging policy-relevant issues and advises Mission leadership on strategies for promoting accurate, balanced Belgian press and media coverage of U.S. foreign policy and American interests; correcting misinformation; and countering disinformation. 
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on Belgian press and media coverage of issues of importance to the U.S. 
• Builds productive relationships with press and media professionals, including media owners, editors, producers, and journalists. 
• Develops and coordinates media tours and exchange programs. 

Press and Media Engagement Operations:

• Advances U.S. foreign policy objectives through engagement with opinion leaders in the media and information spheres. 
• Oversees press and media operations for the Mission, to explain and advocate for U.S. policy positions in Belgian broadcast, print, and online media. 
• Serves as chief advisor to the Mission on media engagement, the Belgian media landscape, and issues relevant to U.S. policy and interests reflected in the media. 
• Advises the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission and senior Mission leadership and Washington policy offices on strategies for communicating U.S. policy effectively in Belgium. 
• Leads efforts to ensure balanced and informed coverage of all aspects of the United States, such as U.S. foreign policy, economy and trade, culture, society, and education. 
• Advises on tact and tone for Mission/U.S. Government responses to breaking stories, misinformation, and dis-information in traditional and online media.

Strategic Planning:

• Recommends communications strategies to shape Belgian opinion and affect behavior of Belgian policymakers using the full range of U.S. Government communications tools, both at post and in the broader geographic region, and among interagency partners.
• Designs and recommends Mission strategies to engage effectively with the press and media, both in response to Belgian coverage and to initiate dialogue on specific issues. 
• Recommends media engagement strategies for the Ambassador and other Mission leadership, based on analysis of individual skill, language ability, portfolio, experience and expertise.

Intra- and Interagency Coordination:

• Develops and recommends Mission-wide press strategies and activities, and coordinates press and media engagement for all Mission agencies on judicial, legal, consular, economic, political, cultural, military, security and other issues. 
• Plays a leadership role in ensuring that messaging and engagement are consistent across all Mission sections and agencies.

Administrative Functions:

• Prepares, manages and tracks annual budgets for press and media related activities;
• monitors and tracks USG funds allocated to counter disinformation and for media grants;
• ensures appropriate accountability measures are in place, USG branding requirements are observed;
• Recommends audits to prevent misuse of resources and contributes to the overall PD Resource Allocation Module (PDRAM), in consultation with the Resource Coordination unit.

Qualifications

EDUCATION: University degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, or related.

EXPERIENCE: 5 years of progressively responsible experience in a media outlet, think tank, university, NGO, international organization, embassy, government office or corporation is required, with responsibility for public relations, public affairs, journalism, communications, marketing, managing public relations, outreach events, press conferences, or other media interactions as significant parts of the job.

LANGUAGE: Fluency in English, French and Dutch.

Our offer:

• Dynamic and multi-cultural work environment.
• Full-time position with extra-legal benefits: life insurance, hospitalization insurance (family included), meal tickets, transportation reimbursements, seniority leave, special holidays, training, Employee Assistance Program, etc.
• Salary as of €6.190 gross/month.

Application instructions

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