English Language/Professional Exchanges Coordinator

Announcement #: BAMAKO-2022-039

English Language/Professional Exchanges Coordinator

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 (4 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Salary: (XOF) CFA11,474,597 – (XOF) CFA11,474,597/Per Year

Series/Grade: LE – 6510 – 8

Agency: Embassy Bamako

Position Info:

Location: Bamako, ML

Close Date: (MM/DD/YYYY) 01/18/2023

Duties

The job holder coordinates the Mission’s professional exchange programs for Established Opinion Leaders (EOL) audiences, including individuals and organizations such as think tanks, professional associations, civil society organizations, and academic institutions and coordinates the Mission’s Public Diplomacy (PD) English local implementers, participants, and the Mission.  Solves problems arising from Malian implementer deficiencies.  Organizes debriefings for participants and Malian implementers at the conclusion of exchange programs.

U.S. Subject Matter Experts (Speakers/Specialists):  Works with EOL Specialist to identify objectives for speaker programs and other activities with U.S. and/or Malian subject matter experts.  Works with partner institutions to organize activities and projects in support of those objectives; coordinates the implementation of logistics and other work plans, including cost sharing.  Coordinates/provides logistical and administrative support for visiting experts and arranges for/conducts arrival orientations.

Implements exchanges of U.S. English Language experts to Mali.  Selects host institutions for effective engagement, negotiates project plans and cost-sharing, and coordinates between the host institutions and U.S. sponsor(s).  Ensures logistical and administrative support for exchange participants and conducts pre-exchange orientations.

Other Projects:  Manages and oversees the post’s two English Access Microscholarship Program and similar programs designed to develop English language skills for youth in economically disadvantaged communities.  Recommends program locations, manages grant solicitation and award processes, and monitors ongoing projects.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE:  Three (3) years of experience is required, with communications, public engagement management, or English teaching and/or teacher training duties as components of the work.  Prior experience in an international, academic, or governmental work environment is required. Prior experience in project management for English Language education, linguistics, or American Studies is required. 

JOB KNOWLEDGE: :  Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and American interests as they apply to Mali is required.  General knowledge of USG and DOS structures, as well as of PD bureaus within DOS, is required.  A detailed understanding of the full range of PD tactics and tools designed to engage EOL audiences and to promote English Language and general knowledge of cross-cultural communications are required.  A detailed understanding of USG exchange programs, including the IVLP, academic programs, citizen exchanges, journalism tours, speaker programs, etc., and related regulations and practices is required.  Must have knowledge of the latest trends in teaching English as a foreign language.  Must have general knowledge of project management, including defining project objectives, outcomes, and assessment methods.  A full understanding of PD-specific funding authorities and their planning and reporting tools is required.  Must have general knowledge of DOS standards for project management, including defining project objectives, outcomes, and assessment methods.

A thorough understanding of the attitudes and preferences of EOL and EV audiences in Mali, including regional, ethnic, social, cultural, linguistic, and other factors and institutions that shape attitudes, is required.  Detailed knowledge of Malian secondary and tertiary academic institutions, higher education, English Language curricula, and professional exchange programs is required.

Knowledge of typical customer service and marketing tools designed to engage specific audience segments, particularly the EOL and EV sectors, in Mali is required.  Knowledge of the latest trends in audience engagement in related public service institutions, such as think tanks, academic institutions, museums, academic and professional training institutes, and government, is required.  An understanding of the complex and changing nature of the information environment, including current trends in international and regional communications as they relate to Mali’s communication landscape, is required.

Education Requirements:

A university degree in International Relations, American Studies, English, Education, Political Science, or local equivalent is required

Evaluations:

LANGUAGE: 

– English:  Fluent, able to use the language fluently and accurately, making only minor errors of pronunciation and grammar.  Able to conduct all work in French.  Almost as proficient in English as in your native language. “This may be tested”

– French: Fluent, able to use the language fluently and accurately, making only minor errors of pronunciation and grammar.  Able to conduct all work in French.  Almost as proficient in French as in your native language. “This may be tested”

Bambara: Good Working Knowledge – Good vocabulary and understanding of grammar and able to construct sentences. Able to use Bambara as part of normal work duties including having conversations with customers and answer questions. “This may be tested”

SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Analytic Skills:  Must have strong analytic skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use PD tools to move Malian attitudes in positive ways.  Must be able to advise senior leaders of opportunities to promote Mission objectives through exchanges to and from the United States; identify, analyze, predict, and continually assess audience attitudes; assess the impact of exchanges and projects; and modify approaches for the best outcomes.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:  Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal skills, and 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 material for publication in both English and French.  Must be able to tailor communications to fit different situations and ethnic, religious, and linguistic cultures.  Must be able to brief on a variety of issues and interpret informally between English, French, and Bambara for public programs.

Management Skills:  Strong management skills are required, including the ability to develop and oversee project budgets and to organize, run, and present professional and exchange projects, such as workshops, seminars, digital and in-person conferences, panel discussions, and lectures.  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.  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.

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.