USCIRF is actively seeking an experienced and creative Public Affairs Associate to be a key member of the Public Affairs team. The Public Affairs Associate will support USCIRF's activities as they relate primarily to the Victims List and media activities, including disseminating information through press releases, policy briefs, reports, and other publications.
Summary
USCIRF is actively seeking an experienced and creative Public Affairs Associate to be a key member of the Public Affairs team. The Public Affairs Associate will support USCIRF's activities as they relate primarily to the Victims List and media activities, including disseminating information through press releases, policy briefs, reports, and other publications.
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Reporting to the Chief of Public Affairs, the Associate's primary responsibilities involve the following:
Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Victims List
Maintain USCIRF's FoRB Victims List database by receiving, cataloguing, archiving, and uploading information on victims submitted by USCIRF analysts, individuals, or civil society NGOs.
Identify new methods for enhancing how data on victims is gathered, organized, and presented within the FoRB Victims List database.
Develop and maintain relationships with relevant organizations to increase the number of victims reported in the FoRB Victims List database.
Coordinate with the Research and Policy team on information regarding victims and prisoners of conscience to ensure accuracy and consistency per USCIRF policy and practice.
Perform due diligence on victims data submitted to maintain the integrity of the FoRB Victims List.
Collaborate with the Chief of Public Affairs on developing publicity and promoting the FoRB Victims List.
Communications and Media Related
Assisting with the implementation of a communications strategy.
Establishing and maintaining relationships with media contacts.
Enhancing USCIRF's outreach through traditional news media, public events, social media, and other communications outlets.
Reviewing content and promoting reports, op-editorials, press releases, etc. that support USCIRF and the agency's overall mission.
Performing quality control of information communicated to internal and external audiences to include editing for grammar, format, and graphic design.
Tracking and monitoring day-to-day official communications.
Assisting with USCIRF's website management and utilizing analytics to improve outreach effectiveness.
Completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
Completion of a probationary period.
Selectee must be able to meet/maintain suitability and security requirements.
Qualifications
Minimum 3 years' progressively responsible experience commensurate with duties outlined above, and including:
Experience or interest in data entry and maintaining a database.
Strong research skills, particularly those applied in a work setting (i.e., not only university coursework).
Ability to synthesize information from various sources.
Working with the media.
Implementing a social media strategy and experience.
Drafting and editing press releases, web content, and other communications materials.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including copy editing.
Multi-tasking and working in a fast-paced setting, defining and meeting deadlines.
Working with various contact management systems such as WordPress or Drupal and email distribution programs such as Meltwater, Mail Chimp, etc.
Website maintenance, or the ability to learn the necessary skills quickly.
Working knowledge of AP Style, MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, web platforms, HTML, email clients, Google Analytics (and/or other metrics tools), and other web-related skills, including digital graphic design creation and video editing software.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and collegial demeanor.
Proven experience using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Education
Minimum of a bachelor's degree.
Additional information
Benefits
USCIRF offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, Federal holidays, retirement, life insurance, and medical benefits. Please visit https://www.opm.gov/ for more information on benefits.
Other Information
Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
Reasonable Accommodation. USCIRF provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact USCIRF at jobs@uscirf.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Equal Employment Opportunity. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This job is excepted from the competitive civil service. Applicants will be evaluated and deemed either eligible or ineligible based on the relevance and quality of their experience and education and on the desired qualifications described above.
Pursuant to section 204(c) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended, USCIRF staff members are hired "on the basis of professional and nonpartisan qualifications."
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample (no more than five pages; preferably a press release) in this order and within a single PDF file via email to: jobs@uscirf.gov.
Applications must be provided in a PDF file or they will not be considered.
US Commission on International Religious Freedom
732 North Capitol Street, NW
Suite A-714
Washington, DC 20401
US
Next steps
Applications will be held in strict confidence. After submitting your application for this position, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application materials. USCIRF will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview or if we require additional information or references. Please email all questions about the position to jobs@uscirf.gov.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample (no more than five pages; preferably a press release) in this order and within a single PDF file via email to: jobs@uscirf.gov.
Applications must be provided in a PDF file or they will not be considered.
US Commission on International Religious Freedom
732 North Capitol Street, NW
Suite A-714
Washington, DC 20401
US
Next steps
Applications will be held in strict confidence. After submitting your application for this position, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application materials. USCIRF will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview or if we require additional information or references. Please email all questions about the position to jobs@uscirf.gov.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
