Public Engagement Assistant

U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France; Paris; Sur place; EUR 43 000 - 53 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Meal Tickets

Public Transportation Allowance

Holiday & Wellness benefits

Résumé du poste

The U.S. Mission in Paris, France is seeking a Public Engagement Assistant in the Africa Regional Services office. This role combines program management, grants expertise, and regional coordination to support public diplomacy efforts across Africa.

Responsibilities include recruitment of speakers, program design, grants oversight, and capacity building at posts, with travel to Africa and collaboration across multiple missions.

Qualifications

• University degree in International Relations, American Studies, Communications, Political Science, Economics or local equivalent.
• Experience in communications, public engagement management, or education duties is required.
• Substitution options may apply as described in the Education section.

Responsabilités

• Coordinate recruitment of U.S. speakers and performing artists for Africa Regional Services (ARS).
• Design and implement virtual and in-person speaker and arts programs across Africa.
• Oversee grants and logistics as Grants Officer Representative (GOR) for ARS programs.

Connaissances

Program coordination

Grants management

Public diplomacy

Training & capacity building

Formation

University degree in International Relations or related field

Two years college with five years experience substitution

Outils

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

CRM systems

Description du poste

Announcement Number: PARIS-2026-045 & 045 S Hiring Agency: Embassy Paris Position Title: Public Engagement Assistant (Program Section) Open Period: 08/04/2026 -09/09/2026 Format MM/DD/YYYY Vacancy Time Zone: GMT+2 Series/Grade: LE - 6510 8 Salary: EUR €47,748/Per Year Work Schedule: Full-time - 35-hour week Promotion Potential: LE-NA

Duty Location(s): 1 Vacancyin Paris, FR Telework Eligible: No For More Info: [e-mail] 0143122222 [e-mail]

Overview

Hiring Path: Open to the public

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency: This position is open to: All Interested Applicants / All Sources

For USEFM - FP grade is 6. Actual FP salary authorized by Washington D.C. EFMs work a 40-hour week. Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation Appointment Type Permanent Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period.

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.

Summary: The U.S. Mission in Paris, France is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Public Engagement Assistant in the Africa Regional Services (ARS) office.

Supervisory Position: No Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No Travel Required: 25% or less Must be available to travel throughout Africa. Advises Bureau of African Affairs (AF) posts on grants policy and program management and consults via telephone, email, online programs, and in-person, traveling as needed to posts to share best practices on grants process and/or programming.

Position Overview

Play a pivotal role in advancing U.S. foreign policy across Africa by connecting American voices, speakers and performing artists, with audiences throughout the continent. This position combines program management, grants expertise, and regional coordination to support one of the most dynamic and high-impact public diplomacy portfolios in the Department.

Main Duties

Program Coordination & Implementation

• Coordinate the recruitment of U.S. speakers and performing artists for Africa Regional Services (ARS)
• Design and implement both virtual and in-person speaker and arts programs across Africa
• Ensure all programming furthers key U.S. foreign policy objectives on the continent

Grants & Financial Oversight

• Serve as the subject-matter expert on grants and logistics for the ARS U.S. Speaker and Performing Artist Program
• Act as Grants Officer Representative (GOR), overseeing compliance and effective stewardship of ARS grant funds

Training & Capacity Building

• Provide guidance and hands‑on training to Public Diplomacy (PD) Sections at U.S. Missions across Africa
• Build local capacity in grants management and program development, strengthening posts' ability to execute effective public diplomacy initiatives

Scope & Impact

This position supports 54 posts across Africa, with special focus on 27 Francophone and Lusophone posts spanning Overseas Staffing Model (OSM) levels 1–5. The role requires:

• Broad policy fluency: A strong grasp of U.S. policy across multiple regions and its implications for public diplomacy messaging
• Targeted support for under‑resourced posts: Prioritized assistance to chronically understaffed posts at OSM levels 1, 2, and 3
• Crisis coordination: Rapid, cross‑post collaboration during regional crises, extending support beyond individual bilateral missions to ensure a cohesive regional response

Why This Role Matters

Given the frequency of regional crises and the staffing challenges faced by smaller posts, this position serves as a critical connective resource, ensuring that even the most understaffed missions have access to the expertise, programming, and support needed to advance U.S. interests effectively across Africa.

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a: Public Trust/Non‑Sensitive‑Low Risk security clearance.

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre‑employment medical exam. Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time [12 weeks] upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Requirements

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a: Public Trust/Non‑Sensitive‑Low Risk security clearance.

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre‑employment medical exam. Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time [12 weeks] upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements

Please note this announcement is simultaneously advertised with the substitution of experience for education (PARIS-2026-045 S), please see details below:

Without substitution (Grade 8): At least a university degree in International Relations, American Studies, Communications, Political Science, Economics, or local equivalent is required, plus a minimum of three (3) years of experience is required, with communications, public engagement management, or education duties as components of the work. Prior experience in an international, academic, or governmental work environment is required.

With substitution (grade 8): At least 2 years college or university studies (no specific field is required) plus a minimum of five (5) years of experience is required, with communications, public engagement management, or education duties as components of the work. Prior experience in an international, academic, or governmental work environment is required.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement. You may be asked to complete a pre‑employment language or skills test. You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications

Experience:

Please note this announcement is simultaneously advertised with the substitution of experience for education (PARIS-2026-045 S), please see details below.

Without substitution (Grade 8): At least a university degree in International Relations, American Studies, Communications, Political Science, Economics, or local equivalent is required, plus a minimum of three (3) years of experience is required, with communications, public engagement management, or education duties as components of the work. Prior experience in an international, academic, or governmental work environment is required.

With substitution (grade 8): At least 2 years college or university studies (no specific field is required) plus a minimum of five (5) years of experience is required, with communications, public engagement management, or education duties as components of the work. Prior experience in an international, academic, or governmental work environment is required.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Languages: These will be tested

• English: Fluent – speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate.
• French: Fluent – speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate.

Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.

Job Knowledge

An understanding of international affairs and typical customer service and marketing tools designed to engage specific audience segments is required. Knowledge of the latest trends in audience engagement in related public service institutions, such as think tanks, academic institutions, professional training institutes, and government, is required. An understanding of the complex and changing nature of the programming environment, including current trends in international and regional communications as they relate to the African communication landscape, is required. In order to properly coordinate programs with posts and other parts of ARS, must be familiar with digital practices and procedures used by or influential with the target audiences.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Skills And Abilities

Analytic Skills: Must have strong analytic skills. Must be able to evaluate the influence of differing individuals and institutions and adjust operations and programming accordingly.

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 for 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 informally interpret between English and French.

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 and Microsoft Excel, is required. Must be familiar with social media, mobile, and electronic conferencing platforms in wide use as part of client programming and amplification. Must have good numerical skills to be able to develop and manage projects and monitor grant budgets.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Benefits

• SALARY: the annual gross salary includes the profit‑sharing allowance, the vacation allowance, the bonus allowance and the “Comité d’Entreprise” allowance.
• MEAL TICKETS: Meal tickets have a face value of EUR 8.25/day. 60% of the daily amount is paid by the U.S. Government. An employee contribution of EUR 3.30 per ticket will be deducted in payroll. The number of meal tickets is limited to 202 workdays per year.
• TRANSPORTATION: Employees are eligible for a reimbursement of 50% of the cost of public transportation passes purchased for commuting purposes.
• HOLIDAYS: The U.S. Missions in France observe eleven U.S. holidays per year and up to ten French holidays.

WE ALSO OFFER:

• A rewarding work environment at the heart of bilateral relations
• The opportunity to contribute to meaningful and diverse projects
• An inter‑agency awards program to recognize outstanding contributions
• Real opportunities at the crossroads of commitment and skills; employees who have the required qualifications, relevant experience, and the motivation to grow
• Special leave: 5 days per year dedicated to caring for a sick family member (with supporting documentation)
• Employee onboarding program

For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office. The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

Hiring Preference Selection Process

A hiring preference is extended to eligible and qualified applicants in the order listed below. It is essential you accurately describe your status in your application, failure to do so may result in a determination that you are not eligible for a hiring preference.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER

• Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference‑eligible U.S. Veteran
• AEFM / USEFM
• Foreign Service (FS) on Leave without Pay (LWOP) and Civil Service (CS) with reemployment rights

* IMPORTANT: US citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) applicants who claim status as a preference‑eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD‑214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”) preferably Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service‑connected disability, equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.

** This level of preference applies to all FS employees on LWOP and CS with re‑employment rights back to their agency or bureau.

For complete definitions of AEFM, USEFM, EFM, Member of Household, etc., please visit the 3 FAM 7210 Definitions.

Additional Employment Considerations

The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only:

• Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible. This does not apply when the hiring mechanism is TEMP or the work schedule is intermittent or irregular.
• Candidates with a hiring preference who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing.

The following apply to Locally Employed (LE) staff only:

• Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible.
• Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible.

• All ordinarily resident (OR) applicants must hold valid work/residency permits to be eligible. The Mission does not sponsor work permits.
• Please complete all sections: experience, education, and languages. (including your native language).
• CV attachments are not considered.
• Submit your application in English for positions requiring “Good” or “Fluent” English.
• For positions requiring “Limited” or “Rudimentary” English, applications can be submitted in either French or English.
• Diplomas must be in French/English or officially recognized (ENIC‑NARIC). You can contact the Official French Organism to obtain an equivalent of your foreign diploma in France “Centre ENIC‑NARIC” and/or click on Link 1 or Link 2 in case you have lost your French diploma(s).
• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a non‑sensitive clearance.
• To apply: click on “Apply to this Vacancy” blue button on top left of this page and then, create your account. For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site ( English version here & French version here ).
• Candidates must attach the following documents to each application submitted:

• A copy of the diploma required for the position
• A copy of driver’s license (if applicable)
• Proof of eligibility to work in France (passport/ ID card: French or EU, residence/work permit authorizing full‑time employment)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please upload all applicable documents to your application. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

All Applicants:

• Residency Permit (front and back) (if applicable)
• Work Permit (front and back) (if applicable)
• Passport or ID card (front and back)
• University Degree (if applicable)
• Professional License (if applicable)

In addition, Eligible Family Member (EFM) Applicants must submit:

• Copy of Sponsor's Travel Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Passport copy
• DD‑214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF‑50 (if applicable)