American Center Director
Job description
The American Center Director works under the
direct supervision of the American Spaces Program Specialist and supervises two
American Center program staff. Develops and maintains ties with the
Emerging Voices (EV) sector in Kenya to support foreign policy goals. Is
responsible for the day-to-day oversight, management, and operations of the
Mission’s USG-owned and operated American Center. Develops Center-specific
activities and programs to attract EV audiences at the Center and for partner
American Spaces audiences throughout the country; collaborates with non-Center
Public Diplomacy (PD) staff on a range of other PD activities and projects to
broaden the Center’s EV activities and programs. This position has a
large degree of autonomy as Director of a public access facility that is open
during hours when the Embassy may be closed, may not be co-located with other
Mission facilities, and must maintain a dynamic schedule of simultaneous
activities and projects of interest to the public.
Qualifications
and Evaluations
EXPERIENCE: This position requires a total of at least four years of experience. Specifically: a) Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in a multilingual, multicultural, or multinational institution (such as a museum, public or community center, or education facility) that provides information resources or American Studies or International Relations content to the public is required, with communications, marketing or public relations duties as a significant part of the job; and b) at least an additional one year of supervisory experience is required.
JOB KNOWLEDGE: Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and
American interests in host country, especially the EV sector; understanding of
U.S. historical, political, economic, social and cultural forces that shape
U.S. foreign policy; comprehensive knowledge of the attitudes and preferences
of the EV audience sector(s); understanding of regional, ethnic,
socio-economic, cultural and linguistic factors and the influence of religious,
cultural and educational institutions in shaping EV perceptions of the U.S. are
all required. Familiarity with country-wide American Spaces operations is also
required. Must have general knowledge of project management, including
defining project objectives, outcomes, and assessment methods.
Knowledge of marketing techniques, market
analysis and analytics, and customer service standards in the U.S. and host
country; knowledge of trends in experiential learning and audience engagement;
understanding of the communications/information environments in Kenya and
international environment; detailed knowledge of PD engagement tools, related
policies and procedures for each; and knowledge of multiple PD resource streams
and regulations for their use are all required
Education
Requirements:
University
Degree in communications, library science, museum education, international
affairs, American Studies, marketing, or local equivalent is required
evaluations:
LANGUAGE: Level 4 English (Fluent, Speaking/Reading/Writing) is
required.
Level 4 (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing
Kiswahili is also required.
Skills & Abilities
Analytic skills: Must have strong
analytic skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use PD programs
and projects to move Kenyan attitudes in positive ways. Must be able to
advise senior PD /Mission leaders of opportunities to promote Mission
objectives; identify, analyze, predict and continually assess EV audience
attitudes; evaluate the impact of projects and modify approaches for greatest
outcomes. Must be able to perceive the emergence of new influencers and
adjust operations and programming accordingly.
Communication /
Interpersonal skills: Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal
cross-cultural communication skills, and be able to identify and engage key
figures critical to shaping local public opinion. Must have excellent
written and oral communication skills, including public speaking, interviewing
for evaluation purposes, writing reports and contributing materials for
publication. Must be able to tailor communications to fit formal and
information situations and different ethnic, religious and linguistic cultures,
and, as necessary, through multi-media channels. Must be able to brief
U.S. officers and visitors on a variety of issues.
Management skills: Strong management
skills are required, including the ability to develop and oversee project
budgets and to organize, run, and present professional and cultural projects
such as workshops, seminars, digital video conferences, panel discussions,
lectures and camps. Must be able to negotiate agreements with partner
institutions and manage their fulfillment.
Technical
skills: Good keyboarding and data entry skills and excellent
familiarity with electronic discovery tools, in particular the Internet, and
standard information retrieval practices and procedures are required.
Thorough, detailed knowledge of various computer software programs,
specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, graphic design and photo editing software,
and PD-specific software, databases, and reporting tools is required.
Full understanding of PD-specific funding authorities and their planning and
reporting tools is required. Detailed knowledge of and ability to use
social media and mobile platforms, photo and video sharing sites, podcast
creation, and basic photo and video skills are all required. Must have
good numerical skills to be able to develop and manage project and grant
budgets; must be able to develop descriptive statistical analysis of target
audience segments and impact of American Space activities and initiatives.
Availability: Must be available
to travel throughout Kenya to support American Center projects and activities.
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.