Information Assistant at the U.S. Embassy

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 Assistant - All Interested Candidates (Broadcast)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2022-088
Location: Abuja
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Series/Grade: LE - 6105 8
Promotion Potential: LE-8
Work Schedule: Full-time - Work Schedule is 40 hours per week

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
  • For USEFM - FP is 06.  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

• Work Schedule:  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 Plans and implements U.S. Mission’s public affairs programming for broadcast media (radio/TV) including grants management.
• Creates and develops programming ideas and works with local stations to create programming opportunities for USG officials and delegations, answers questions for broadcast materials from local radio and TV stations. Monitors local and international electronic broadcasts and alerts of breaking news. 
• Prepares daily news summary. 
• Translates PD materials into Hausa for placement with Hausa-language media, especially print, in northern Nigeria.  Supervised and rated by the Information Officer.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Education Requirements:

• University Degree in Mass Communications, Creative Arts (Graphic or Visual Arts), Information Technology, or Public Relations is required.
• NYSC Certificate or Exemption document is required.

Prior Work Experience:  

• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a media outlet, think tank, university, NGO, international organization, foreign embassy, government office or corporation with responsibility for public relations, public affairs, journalism, communications, marketing, managing public relations, outreach events, press conferences, and other media interactions as significant parts of the job is required.

Evaluations:

• This may be tested. Applicant MUST address ALL language proficiency requirement to be considered.

Job Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of Nigerian media and of the political, economic, and social structure of the country, particularly of central and northern Nigeria is required. Familiarity with public diplomacy objectives, techniques, and programs is required. 
• Understanding of U.S. foreign policy and priorities is required.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Hausa is required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to use a computer with the Windows OS and a general knowledge of MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and the internet is required.
• Must be able to recognize pertinent press materials and possess excellent writing skills

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 Abuja, 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:

• For the current COVID-19 Requirements please visit the following link.
• 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

• * 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
NGN8,664,538 (USD43,507) Annually.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline  15th August, 2022.

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 and Exemption document

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 Abuja, Nigeria