The US Embassy is seeking an individual for the position of Information Resources Center Director in the Public Affairs section.
Basic Function of Position
Directs and manages a complex state of the art Information Resource Center (IRC). Oversees the research, reference, cataloging and traditional and contemporary outreach services conducted by the IRC staff. Directs and manages the PAS Tanzania American Corners program and any other American Spaces developed by PAS. Plans and designs and implements outreach programs to advance the Mission's public diplomacy goals. Independently develops and maintains continuing personal contact with the highest level target audience members.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
IRC Management:
As director of the IRC, independently plans, develops and manages the IRC in accordance with Mission Strategic Resource Plan objectives and priorities. Manages all research and reference services and ensures that authoritative information about the U.S. is received by the target audiences. Devises and implements policies and strategies for cost-effective means of handling information inquiries and optimizing information services, using state of the art information and communications technologies, (ICT). Monitors developments in ICT in the U.S. and Tanzania, evaluates their relevance to the IRC program and implements cost-effective strategies for their use. Develops and implements a yearly strategic plan and budget for the IRC. Responsible for IRC acquisitions.
Provides immediate supervision to one staff member. Directs and coordinates the IRC team’s outreach, reference, programming and program support work. Prepares annual evaluation reports for IRC staff members. Assesses their professional development needs and requests training when appropriate. Organizes the recruitment of new personnel when required. Approves time and attendance and requests for leave.
Ensures that Mission officers and staff are kept well-informed about the services provided by the IRC. Prepares IRC contributions to the Public Diplomacy budget submissions. Recommends to the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and Deputy Public Affairs Officer (DPAO) strategies for managing resources to assure maximum cost-effectiveness and productivity. Reports on special IRC and American Corners (AC) and American Spaces programs and problems; ensures that adequate IRC and AC records and statistics are maintained for Post managers and State Department officers.
Oversees and coordinates American Corners
As Embassy liaison, provides strategic guidance and support to three AC in Mwanza, Unguja andPemba. Provides strategic guidance and support to any additional American Spaces developed by post. Support includes keeping abreast of Department polices and procedures, ascertaining needs, budget development, collection developments, drafting annual American Space fund requests, collecting and disseminating timely reports on AC and American Spaces activities, reporting on AC needs, coordinating programming and visits to ACs, and scheduling and/or conducting training for AC and American Space staff.
Keeps abreast of developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) in the U.S. as well as developments in American political and cultural life in order to respond to public inquiries from IRC patrons and to provide strategic direction to American Spaces (communication with the local media is not authorized unless expressly approved and cleared by the PAO.
Outreach/Public Programs:
Promotes awareness of U.S. policies and positions in contemporary affairs through a variety of innovative outreach programs, including but not limited to afternoon movie programs and presentations at the IRC and AC by U.S. Speakers, Fulbright and exchange program alumni, and members of the U.S. Embassy.
Develops and manages proactive electronic and print selective dissemination of information (SDI) profiles for select, upper-level contacts, e.g. parliamentarians, government officials, academics, senior civil servants, other policy makers, the media and researchers.
Consults with IRC staff and Mission officers and staff to develop these SDI polices and profiles. Reviews information resources at regular intervals and oversees the distribution of information to recipients. Oversees electronic and print SDI.
Designs promotional materials to serve the IRC and American Spaces network and develops marketing strategies highlighting IRC products, programs and services. Monitors and assesses advances in information technologies in order to electronically transmit IRC products where feasible.
Develops ICT programs to showcase American information trends and products, including through the Bureau of International Information Programs' (IIP) thematic calendar. Works closely with other members of the Mission to enhance interagency programs.
Advises web master and social media coordinator concerning appropriate materials and links for inclusion in the Mission web site and social media tools. Evaluates the web site and social media tools on a routine basis to ensure accuracy of content and relevance to bilateral issues. Promotes and markets the web site and social media tools to target audiences.
Participates in relevant professional organizations by attending conference and workshops as well as developing programs in conjunction with these organizations. Maintains close and regular ties with local and Department of State information specialists, especially the Regional Information Resources Officer based at Embassy Nairobi.
Research/Reference:
Responds to inquiries, provides in-depth reference service to Mission officers and staff, and host country contacts including parliamentarians academics, senior civil servants, librarians, media, researchers and other policy makers. Applies knowledge and understanding of U.S. and Tanzanian political, social and cultural affairs, as well as Mission Resource Requests (MRR) objectives, to provide informed interpretation of U.S. material. Provides guidance in the use of IRC materials for public users.
Utilizes a wide range of print and electronic resources including, but not limited to, commercial online databases, the Internet, CD-ROMs and U.S. Government sources to provide documentation on issues supporting MSRP objectives. Uses knowledge and understanding of U.S. legislation and legislative processes, political affairs and foreign policy to provide informed interpretation of U.S. material. Provides reference service to the broader public by responding to queries accurately and in a timely manner.
Collection Development:
Oversees and manages the entire annual collection development cycle to ensure that the IRC has the best and most appropriate resources, both print and electronic, for meeting the information needs of top-level contacts and Mission officers and staff, in support Mission Program plan objective and U.S. policy. Selects and procures materials for presentation to contacts. Identifies AC and American Space Collection needs and manages procurement of collections and supplies for AC and American Spaces.
Prepares an annual IRC and AC/American Space budget for approval by the Public Affairs Officer. Prioritizes purchases for all collections within these budgets. Selects databases and materials, such as U.S. Govt. Printing Office publications, congressional and other USG documents, think tank reports, commercial publications and databases for the IRC collections. Prior to selection, assesses material for authority, relevance and balance as well as for contribution to MSRP and public diplomacy goals. Regularly reviews and discusses the selection of materials with IRC, AC and American Space staff to ensure that the best possible resources are purchased.
Maintains a schedule for ordering annual reference materials to ensure that new editions are ordered as soon as they are published, so that the IRCs have access to the most current information.
Keeps track of orders and works with GSO to ensure that all procurement requests are fulfilled. On receipt of print materials, unpacks the boxes, checking their content against the original order. Ensures that payment requests are submitted in a timely manner so that bills are paid with minimal delay. Catalogs and processes all materials, alerting key contacts to new acquisitions by means of email and the Mission web site.
Special Projects:
Undertakes special projects in the area of American Spaces, English teaching, education advising programs, cultural activities, book and document discussions, and the Mission Speakers Bureau. With the book and document discussion program, must help identify books and documents for discussion, choose participants, order books and document, and organize the discussions themselves. For the Speakers Bureau, must solicit participation in the bureau from Embassy employees, publicize the bureau and organize speaking engagements; must gather appropriate background materials for the speaker to use in preparing his/her remarks.
Solicits and nominates candidates, and may assist in selection of candidates from throughout the country for exchange programs, including the International Visitor Leadership Program, E-Teacher program, and other exchange programs.
In coordination with the Public Affairs Section's Alumni Coordinator, maintains accurate and current alumni records of all alumni of exchange programs participants in subject area and ensures alumni are included in outreach programs and other mission programming.
Qualifications Required
All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.
Education:
University degree in library/information science, communications, business and management, economics, political science, international affairs or American Studies required. Must demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency in state of the art ICT platforms including but not limited to web pages, Face Book, twitter and other social media tools.
Prior experience: Should have five years progressively responsible experience working in the private or public sector in management, or public sector program design and implementation and at least two years supervising other professionals.
Language proficiency:
Level IV (fluent) (writing, reading and speaking) in both spoken and written English and Kiswahili is required.
Knowledge: Expert knowledge of U.S. reference and resource materials in the subject areas emphasized in Post’s Mission Strategic Plan, and public diplomacy objectives. Advanced knowledge of Tanzanian political, social, legal, economic and educational structures. Advanced knowledge of U.S. cultural issues and of the many aspects of U.S. society, education, politics, government, law, history and geography. Must have expert skills in the various aspects of ICT, management, public affairs, reference, outreach, public programming, etc. In particular, must be familiar with current trends in information management and provision.
Skills and Abilities:
Excellent service orientation to target audience, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills. Ability to carry out reference searches and respond rapidly to complex requests, often for breaking news; to work effectively with American and foreign national staffs; to independently plan, organize, and carry out assigned responsibilities using electronic based technologies, including Internet, CD-ROM, and print resources; to maintain contact with target audience members; excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to prioritize work schedule and incoming requests. Ability to train, supervise and evaluate staff or to effectively inform other FSN staff of IRC role and resources; ability to write reports and outreach publications.
Information Resources Center Director USA Embassy in Tanzania
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