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 Title: Information Specialist (Electronic Media) – All Interested Candidates

Announcement Number: Lagos-2021-060
Location: Lagos
Hiring Agency: Consulate General Lagos
Series / Grade: LE – 6105 10
Promotion Potential: LE-10
Work Schedule: Full-time – 40 hours per week
Telework Eligible: No

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
  • For USEFM – FP is 5/5.  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
  • All Interested Applicants / All Sources
• 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
• Travel Required: Not Required

Duties

• Incumbent serves as principal electronic media advisor / liaison to Consulate Lagos. Under the supervision of the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) or Deputy Public Affairs (DPAO) serves as Information Specialist in the Press Section responsible for contacts with electronic media, arranging media events, organizing media interviews, coordinating media placements, engaging government press officials and analyzing trends in the electronic media in 17 states for Mission Nigeria.
• Job holder also advises the PAO, the DPAO, and Consul General (CG) on major media events, fast-breaking stories, reflected in the media
• Prepares daily press summaries, organizes training for journalists, and recruits media for exchange programs
• Available to respond to urgent press matters. Writes consulate reports and analysis on relevant press issues and creates, edits and disseminates press releases
• Keeps a current and updated contact list of press and media contacts
• Serves as a Grants Officer Representative (GOR) to media related grants.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements
Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, public affairs, journalism, communications, marketing, managing pubic relations, outreach events, press conferences, production or program management in radio or television.

Job Knowledge:

• Detailed knowledge of foreign and security policies and policy statements as related to Nigeria is required. Must have extensive knowledge of the major national and regional newspapers and editorial tendencies
• Extensive knowledge of the major television/radio news and current events programs, and key representatives of major Nigeria media outlets and government institutions is required
• Knowledge of media owners, journalists, TV and radio presenters, bloggers and influencers is required
• Incumbent must be familiar with public diplomacy, as well as knowledge of social networking and distribution methods to ensure dissemination of Public Affairs products.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, English and Literary Studies, International relations, Political Science, or Economics is required.

Evaluations:

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

Language:

• English (Fluent) Speaking / Reading / Writing is required. Good working knowledge speaking / reading / writing Yoruba, Igbo or Pidgin is required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing with major Nigeria electronic media representatives, editors, journalists and to Personal Assistants (PA) and other mission officers on important news and policy issues and developments in the media
• Ability to develop and maintain contacts with key members of the electronic media community is required
• Incumbent must also be able to analyze and report on current trends in the media that reflect reaction to major bilateral issues and to prepare press releases etc., which accurately reflect U.S. Government policies and support Mission Public Affairs objectives
• Familiarity with the use of electronic “New Media” platforms including News Aggregators, Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube is required. Ability to abide by deadlines on multiple projects and deliverables; strong writing, editing, drafting, and communication skills is required.

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.

Other Information:

• 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”), 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 $53,596 annually.

Application Closing Date
4th June, 2021.