American Embassy is Currently Recruiting in Zambia: Press Relations Intern

• OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates
• POSITION: Press Relations Intern
• ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: FNSI 02-2019
• OPENING DATE: March 22, 2019
• CLOSING DATE: April 5, 2019
• WORK HOURS: Part-time; Maximum 20 hours/week
• SALARY: Unpaid – No compensation or benefits are offered
• DURATION OF INTERNSHIP: Three-month temporary position from the date of hire

BACKGROUND

The Foreign National Student Intern Program is designed for students who are non-U.S. citizens seeking internships with U.S. Missions abroad. The program benefits both posts and students by providing the foreign national students with valuable educational experience in U.S. Missions and by assisting posts in accomplishing their mission goals. The purpose of the Foreign National Student Intern Program is to offer students the challenge of working in a foreign affairs arena and at the same time profit by their assistance. There are no benefits attached to this internship and no compensation, nor any future employment rights.

A student participating under this program is not considered to be a U.S. Federal employee for any purpose other than injury compensation or laws related to the Tort Claims Act. Service is NOT creditable for leave accrual or any other employee type benefits.

THIS IS A VOLUNTARY APPOINTMENT. NO COMPENSATION OR BENEFITS ARE OFFERED.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Only non-American students attending a Zambian or an American University accredited in Zambia are eligible for the Local Internship Program. Non-Zambian students, other than U.S. nationals, are required to submit the same documentation as Zambian students.

The student must comply with the following:

• Be a non-U.S. citizen – dual nationalities may also be accepted;
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment;
• Be eligible for a security certification and a medical clearance;
• Have a working knowledge (reading and speaking) of English;
• Good academic standing proved by official transcripts.

DESCRIPTION OF AGENCY OFFICE AND LOCATION:

Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States to the Republic of Zambia.

MAJOR DUTIES OR PROJECT/S:

The Press Relations Intern will serve within Embassy Lusaka’s Public Affairs Section to provide press-related and logistical support during press training programs conducted by the Press Team. As an unpaid intern, you will work for not more than 20 hours/week. Under the direct supervision of the Information Specialist, you will be a productive member of our Press Team, with assigned responsibilities that correspond with our section and mission goals.

This internship is a great opportunity to develop your rudimental skills whilst working in a fast-paced environment dedicated to promoting public diplomacy. The internship provides opportunities to develop, communication and press-related capacities.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Validate and update the database of media contacts and obtain contact information where required;
• Update our journalism training database of all journalists, disc jockeys, and other media staff we have trained since 2015;
• Provide support to other PAS-led events as needed;
• Provide logistical and administrative support to the Press Team for journalism trainings;
• Reviewing, responding to, and redirecting queries on media which appear on social media and other platforms;
• Assist in drafting social media posts on Press Team activities;
• Assist in drafting and submitting reports in Mission Activity Tracker (MAT); and
• Liaise with other teams within the Public Affairs Section to track and highlight various capacity building programs involving media staff.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

We hope to benefit from the Intern’s recent academic studies; relevant area of experience is preferred.

We specifically seek candidates who:

1. Must be a student of journalism, mass communications or public relations at a recognized intuition of higher learning
2. Are able to work well within a team with less supervision, as required;
3. Possess excellent journalistic and communication skills
4. Have a thorough knowledge of Zambia’s educational, social, cultural and political institutions.
5. Possess knowledge of customer relations, file keeping, office management, and event management.
6. Highly conversant with local and global affairs and media outlets
7. Ability to use electronic newsgathering devices; video and still cameras and digital recorders. Use of Microsoft Office packages, including MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

Students selected for the internship program must pass a security background check and receive a security certification from the post-security officer before the commencement of the internship (see 3 FAM7222). The Human Resources Office will coordinate this process.

A certificate of the medical examination must be obtained prior to the commencement of appointment to the Intern Program. The examination shall be conducted in accordance with 3 FAM 7131 and local regulations and prevailing practice. The Human Resources Office will coordinate this process.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. A letter of application for the Internship;
2. Certified educational transcripts;
3. Written permission from the educational institution in which the student is enrolled;
4. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174);
5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above;

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:

The Human Resources Office
American Embassy
Subdivision 694/Stand 100, Ibex Hill Road, Lusaka District,
P.O. Box 320065, Lusaka.

[email protected] (Emailed applications preferred, but not required)

POINT OF CONTACT:

Telephone: 357-000 extension numbers 7136, 7153, or 7284.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.