The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Global Public Affairs’ Office of International Media Engagement (GPA/IME) engages international media to communicate timely and accurate information with the goal of furthering U.S. foreign policy and national security interests. In close collaboration with other State Department and interagency colleagues, GPA/IME advances U.S. foreign policy priorities through engagement with foreign audiences via broadcast, print, and digital media. GPA/IME also works with the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) to develop and train officers to effectively engage with international media, with special emphasis on advanced foreign language on-camera training. The office oversees the State Department’s Media Hubs in Brussels, Dubai, London, Miami, Bangkok, and Johannesburg, which are positioned strategically around the globe in major media markets to reach the most influential global and regional outlets.
The Media Hub in Miami amplifies regional and global priorities to Spanish and Portuguese-speaking media markets. The Miami Media Hub is the home of the State Department’s Spanish and Portuguese- language spokespersons, as well as the Department’s flagship Spanish and Portuguese social media accounts.
The Miami Media Hub currently requires one employee to support media relations in Spanish and Portuguese toto further the office’s goal of communicating U.S. foreign policy priorities to international media outlets and publics around the world.
The Press Specialist supports the media outreach functions of the Miami Media Hub through his/her journalistic expertise, knowledge of the south Florida and Latin American media environment, and foreign language and communication skills. The Press Specialist promotes the goals of the Bureau of Global Public Affairs and the Department at-large by planning and implementing initiatives to engage Spanish and Portuguese-speaking audiences by working to increase accurate and positive coverage and exposure of U.S. policies through television, radio, print, and new media platforms. The Press Specialist maintains professional relationships with key individuals and institutions in the target media market(s) and arranges media engagements and other outreach opportunities for the Spanish and Portuguese-language spokespersons, and other State Department and U.S. government officials. The Press Specialist also works in a similar capacity to establish relationships with and support media outreach in Portuguese-speaking Africa as needed
Responsibilities:
· Cultivate and strengthen an effective network of contacts among foreign and domestic media outlets (including diaspora media), particularly those covering U.S. foreign policy. Under the direction of the Miami Media Hub Director, serves as local, regional, specialty, and national media interlocutor to Department newsmakers.
· Respond to requests for and seek opportunities to promote and schedule press interviews for Spanish- and Portuguese-language Spokespersons and other U.S. government officials on current U.S. foreign policy themes.
· Provide logistical support during press conferences, one-on-one interviews, and other media engagements for U.S. government officials’ participation. Provide organizational support for workshops, training, and conferences organized by the Miami Media Hub. This includes taking pictures, recording and uploading them post-interview.
· Assist Spanish- and Portuguese-language Spokespersons in preparation for interviews by researching and translating press guidance, setting interview guidelines, rehearsing for interviews, and providing constructive feedback.
· Work with the Director and the Office of International Media Engagement to establish communication strategies to expand ability to leverage traditional and new media platforms to advance the Administration’s foreign policy issues.
· Support the Miami Media Hub Director in identifying and executing mechanisms to streamline efficiency of the Hub operation. Assist Director in creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and establishing a management information system.
· Organize appointments for the Miami Media Hub Director, Deputy Director, and other U.S. government officials.
· Disseminate media notes, fact sheets, video statements, event invitations, and other U.S. government messaging to media contacts.
· Occasionally translate, or do quality reviews of translations of, relevant content in Spanish and Portuguese, including speeches and other policy documents.
· Serve as backup for Hub staff who manage official social media accounts including USAenEspanol and USAemPortugues.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Requirements
· A Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism or International Relations. (Applicants with degrees in other areas may qualify with demonstrated related work experience.)
· Four years of progressive experience in the communications field working in a media outlet as a journalist, editor or producer, or in public relations, or a combination of similar experience.
· Prior experience working with media outlets and journalists.
· Expertise working with broadcast media, to include arranging interviews, training and/or preparing speakers for on-camera media engagements.
· Strong editorial and writing skills.
· Advanced professional fluency in written and spoken Spanish.
· Intermediate professional fluency in written Portuguese.
· Ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance
Professional Attributes & Key Skills
· Proactive Initiative: A self-starter capable of identifying outreach opportunities and potential media risks before they arise; ability to work independently to drive long-term projects without daily supervision.
· Strategic Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate complex diplomatic environments and maintain professional relationships with international journalists.
· Organizational Skills: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
· Self-Motivation and Reliability: Demonstrated ability to take ownership of the role’s portfolio, consistently delivering results on routine tasks and proposing strategic initiatives.
· Adaptive Problem Solving: Must be a creative problem solver able to identify problems and take the initiative to develop solutions. Should also demonstrate strong judgment and the ability to pivot strategies when breaking news or shifts in foreign policy occur.
· Digital Resourcefulness: Must have strong computer skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel, and collaboration tools such as Slack, and Teams. Comfortable troubleshooting basic technology tools (recording, uploading, social media management) and learning new digital tools to streamline Hub operations.