U. S.

Department of State
INTERAGENCY POST EMPLOYEE POSITION DESCRIPTION

Prepare according to instructions given in Foreign Service National Handbook, Chapter 4 (3 FAH-2)

1. Post 2. Agency 3a. Position Number

Embassy Baku, Azerbaijan Department of State

3b. Subject to Identical Position? Agencies may show the number of such positions authorized and/or established after the “Yes”
block.

☐ Yes ☐ No If Yes, please provide position number: ________________________

4. Reason for Submission

☐ a. Redescription of duties: This position replaces

(Position Number) ______ , (Title) _______________ (Series) ____ (Grade) ____________

☐ b. New Position ________________________________________________________________________________

☒ c. Other (explain) _ PD Locally Employed Staff Initiative, updated on 01-24-2023

5. Classification Action Position Title and Series Code Grade Initials Date
(mm-dd-yyyy)
a. Post Classification Authority Public Engagement Specialist (EOL), 6510 FSN-10 GAS 01-24-2023
b. Other
Established Opinion Leaders (EOL) Specialist -
c. Proposed by Initiating Office 10
FSN-6510
6. Post Title Position (If different from official title) 7. Name of Employee
Established Opinion Leaders (EOL) Specialist
8. Office / Section a. First Subdivision
Public Diplomacy Section Public Engagement
b. Second Subdivision c. Third Subdivision
Established Opinion Leaders (EOL)
9. This is a complete and accurate description of the duties and 10. This is a complete and accurate description of the duties and
responsibilities of my position

Printed Name of Employee Printed Name of Supervisor

Signature of employee Date (mm-dd-yyyy) Signature of Supervisor Date (mm-dd-yyyy)

11. This is a complete and accurate description of the duties 12. I have satisfied myself that this is an accurate description of this
and responsibilities of this position. There is a valid position, and I certify that it has been classified in accordance
management need for this position with appropriate 3 FAH-2 standards.

Printed Name of Chief or Agency Head Printed Name of Admin or Human Resources Officer

Signature of Section Chief or Agency Head Date (mm-dd-yyyy) Signature of Admin or Human Resources Officer Date (mm-dd-yyyy)

13. Basic Function of Position: EOL Specialist

The Established Opinion Leaders (EOL) Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Public
Diplomacy Officer (PDO) for Public Engagement (or PAO designee), and has no direct supervisory
responsibilities. Is the leading LE Staff strategist/advisor responsible for Mission’s Public Diplomacy (PD)
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engagement with Established Opinion Leaders focused on education policy, outreach and reform, including
influential individuals and institutions such as think tanks, syndicates, labor unions, professional associations,
civil society organizations, prominent academics, and professional training institutions. Designs and
recommends Public Diplomacy strategies to connect with EOL audiences to build and sustain productive
dialogue, and promote understanding of and support for U.S. policy. Plans, develops, coordinates, oversees,
and evaluates projects and initiatives to engage EOL subject-matter experts and the audiences they reach.

Coordinates and manages the Mission’s professional and academic exchange programs for EOL audiences,
including individuals and organizations such as think tanks, professional associations, civil society
organizations, and academic institutions.

Leads Mission Azerbaijan’s higher education policy and education outreach in a complex host country
environment focused on EOL audiences. Is the leading LE Staff advisor for the Mission’s Public Diplomacy
(PD) higher education engagement with target audience sectors; plans, designs and coordinates Mission
outreach to Azerbaijani institutions of higher learning (HEI), think tanks, professional associations, civil
society organizations, prominent academics, professional training institutions, government ministries, and
others that influence Azerbaijani attitudes toward the United States. Designs strategies to build and sustain
productive high-level education diplomacy dialogue, including on educational reforms, to help create a
landscape that is prepared to repel malign influence, dispel inaccurate perceptions, and promote understanding
of and support for U.S. policy, through promotion of American Studies content and curricula at Azerbaijani
HEIs, and through expanding university-to-university partnerships between Azerbaijan and the United States.
Serves as representative on higher education programming and outreach for the Mission; develops strategies
and metrics for measuring success and impact of PD programs.

14. Major Duties and Responsibilities % of Time

I. Implementation (45% of time)

Advances U.S. foreign policy objectives through engagement with EOL audiences in the
virtual, physical and communication spaces where they are active.

Designs and oversees programs and projects tailored to EOL audience segments, to leverage
EOL individuals, their institutions and networks in support of U.S. goals and values on critical
issues, such as promoting education policy and education reform, expanding bilateral
educational ties, managing professional and higher education academic exchanges, advocating
for the benefits across society of market-based economies, or countering violent extremism.
Leads staff in identifying optimal performance targets to engage target EOL audience groups.

Manages, markets and is responsible for coordination of the Mission’s exchanges for EOL
audiences, academic programs, citizen exchanges, professional exchanges, speaker programs,
and others to inform Azerbaijani experts and audiences on policy issues. Reviews professional
exchange candidate nominations to assist in determining final candidates. Collaborates with
the Alumni Coordinator on alumni initiatives for sustained engagement with EOL contacts.

Has responsibility for the creation and development of university partnerships, liaising with
offices in the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Commerce, and in the DOS

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Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Is the lead Mission point of contact for
Azerbaijan’s institutions of higher education (HEI) that are developing bilateral academic
exchange programs with U.S. HEIs; facilitates academic public-private partnerships; facilitates
contact among U.S. and Azerbaijani government officials, HEIs, and the private sector.
Coordinates Mission participation in higher education conferences, workshops, and
international education fairs. Drafts briefing memos and talking points for Embassy staff at all
levels on Mission higher education policy and initiatives, and delivers prepared remarks on
education diplomacy and higher education to public audiences.

In the absence of an independent U.S.-Azerbaijani Fulbright Commission or a third-party USG-

partner international education office, manages the flagship Fulbright Scholarship academic
exchange programs, and administers other USG academic exchange programs, including The
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, The Study in the United States Institutes (SUSI)
program for teachers and scholars, and the International Writing Program Fall Residency,
among others.

Outbound Exchanges: Engages officers across the Mission to coordinate the process of
identifying and recruiting Azerbaijani participants for U.S. professional and academic exchange
programs. Coordinates Mission processes to review and select participants; and convenes PD-
or Mission-wide selection panels as needed. Monitors development of participants’ U.S.
programs; organizes pre-departure logistics, orientations, and briefings for participants.
Facilitates visa issuance; arranges for debriefing of participants with nominating office/officer
on return of participant(s), and effects handover of relationship to Alumni Coordinator.

Inbound Exchanges:
---U.S. exchanges: Identifies program options for inbound participants and coordinates
program development. Organizes arrival orientations; maintains smooth communication
among local implementers, participants and Mission; solves problems arising from Azerbaijani
implementer deficiencies. Organizes de-briefings for participants and Azerbaijani
implementers at conclusion of exchange programs.

---U.S. subject matter experts (speakers/specialists): Identifies objectives for speaker programs
and other activities with U.S. and/or Azerbaijani subject matter experts. Works with partner
institutions to organize activities and projects in support of those objectives, coordinates
implementation of logistic and other work plans, including cost sharing. Coordinates/provides
logistical and administrative support for visiting experts; arranges for/conducts arrival
orientations.

II.Strategic Planning: Analysis, Evaluation, and Recommendations (30% of time)

Serves as lead observer, strategist and advisor for Mission public diplomacy engagement with
voices and institutions within the EOL sector. Analyzes demographic, communication and
influence patterns, and the nature and level of impact of the EOL sector on Azerbaijani public
and governmental perspectives; identifies individuals and institutions with the greatest potential
to affect U.S. foreign policy priorities. Develops and cultivates substantive relationships with
influential Azerbaijani experts and institutions to sustain Mission access and expand
opportunities for collaboration in support of U.S. strategic objectives.
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Prepares detailed plans at least a year in advance for EOL activities such as academic
programs, exchanges, conferences, and other EOL sector initiatives, to match the U.S.
academic calendar, DOS program schedules, and long-term Mission goals, and for adequate
lead time for program design, marketing and candidate selection. Provides EOL content for the
annual Public Diplomacy Implementation Plan (PDIP). Ensures that authoritative U.S. and
Azerbaijani voices accurately represent U.S. policies and interests in EOL discussions, in order
to enhance understanding of and support for Mission objectives and U.S. foreign policy goals.
Contributes EOL components to Mission Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) and the Public
Diplomacy Country Context (PDCC).

Identifies objectives, outcomes and evaluation/assessment methods appropriate for EOL

engagement projects and initiatives, ensuring that goals for EOL activities are consistent and
complementary. Evaluates previous PD activities for impact and cost-effectiveness as the
basis for enhanced performance.

Collaborates on State Department and post-funded polls, and gathers his/her own data to
interpret Azerbaijan context and identify optimal means of obtaining policy goals. Identifies
and recommends innovative approaches for connecting with and engaging established, credible
voices and institutions.

Serves as lead observer, strategist, and advisor on Mission engagement related to education
diplomacy, education policy, and higher education reform. Actively plans Mission engagement
with target audiences at least a year in advance to intensify impact and expand their support for
Mission objectives and U.S. foreign policy goals. Plans, at least one year in advance, the
strategic plan for education outreach. Coordinates academic programs, education conferences,
and other initiatives to match the U.S. academic calendar, DOS program schedules, and long-
term Mission goals, and for adequate lead time for program design, marketing and candidate
selection focused on EOL audience outreach and engagement. Leads in designing and
recommending educational engagement and marketing strategies most likely to succeed with
key audience segments and reach priority communities, in order to ensure that authoritative
U.S. and Azerbaijani voices accurately represent U.S. policies and interests. Analyzes
demographic, communication, and influence patterns in higher education to identify those
audience groups with the greatest potential to affect U.S. foreign policy priorities. Represents
the U.S. Embassy and engages the Azerbaijan Ministry of Education and other Azerbaijan
government bodies participating in the national education sector at the senior level to promote
U.S. international education policy and to expand bilateral educational ties and university-to-
university partnerships. Serves as lead strategist and advisor on innovation and change
management for Mission engagement in the higher education sector, identifying new
communication platforms and emerging technologies, optimal partnerships with credible local
voices and institutions, and recommending/leading operational changes.

Designs and recommends academic and professional exchange programs to engage EOL
individuals and institutions, in coordination with PD and Mission colleagues. Uses analysis of
EOL audiences to identify individuals or groups whose participation in exchanges has the
greatest impact on Mission goals; reviews evolving formats and costs of DOS exchanges;
recommends configuration of Mission-developed exchanges to gain optimal policy benefit for
Mission policy objectives with greatest resource savings. Actively plans at least a year in
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advance for DOS-sponsored professional and academic exchange programs in Azerbaijan, both
those that must be organized in advance to match the one-year U.S. academic cycle and those
requiring extensive lead time for program design, grant development, marketing, candidate
selection, and implementation. Designs marketing strategies to promote EOL professional and
academic exchanges. Reviews and makes recommendations on grant and cooperative
agreement proposals for EOL exchange programs submitted by Azerbaijani and U.S. entities.
Assesses professional and academic exchange program outcomes against project objectives
using appropriate assessment methods; prepares evaluation reports.

III. Intra- and Inter-agency Coordination (15% of time)

Participates in Mission-wide policy and strategy working groups. Encourages shared priorities
for EOL public engagement; identifies and recruits Mission experts to participate in EOL
engagement activities and initiatives. Collaborates with the EOL Specialist for Democracy and
Civil Society on optimal strategies for outreach and engagement with priority EOL audiences.
Advises and collaborates with the Strategic Content Coordination team to repurpose EOL
sector policy content for use with other priority audiences, as appropriate. Develops and
organizes opportunities for the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission and other Mission
officers to sustain engagement with professional and academic exchange participants and
Azerbaijani/American education contacts on education policy issues.

Develops good working contacts with Mission offices and agencies whose goals and objectives
prioritize EOL audience outreach. Coordinates exchange programs across the Mission to
support and amplify impact of overall EOL engagement, including those conducted by other
sections/agencies. Develops and organizes opportunities for Mission officers to sustain
engagement with exchange participants on priority issues. Collaborates with the Strategic
Content Coordination team to develop virtual exchanges.

IV. Administrative Functions (10% of time)

Budgeting and Financial Resources: Prepares, manages and tracks resource requirements
associated with EOL activities; contributes to the PD Resource Allocation Module (PDRAM)
budget, in consultation with the Resource Coordination unit. Monitors and tracks USG funds
allocated to unique structures (e.g., a Fulbright Commission) that receive both USG and
Azerbaijani funding; ensuring appropriate accountability measures are in place, USG branding
requirements are observed; recommends audits to prevent misuse of resources. Works with the
PDO for Public Engagement and PAO (or PAO designee) to develop partnership agreements.

Grants: Serves as program adviser and often as Grants Officer Representative (GOR) for EOL
grants with responsibilities as outlined in the Delegation of Authority letter. For Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) or Global Public Affairs (GPA) initiated grants, acts as
liaison between Department-based GOR and local implementing institution(s) as required.

General: In coordination with the Resource Coordination team, maintains required office
records and files and ensures that EOL activities are recorded in PD Tools and contact
databases as needed. Drafts office correspondence in English and Azerbaijani, including
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cables, event proposals, diplomatic notes, and evaluation reports. Provides informal
interpretation and translation from/to English and Azerbaijani when required.

Note: Job holder will perform other related duties as assigned.

15. Qualifications Required For Effective Performance

A. Education: University degree in political science/international relations, American Studies, education,

communications, arts/museum management, or local equivalent is required.

B. Prior Work Experience: This position requires at least four years of progressively responsible experience
in a multilingual, multicultural, multinational, academic or governmental work environment, with
communications, project management, or education duties as a significant part of the job. Experience with
audience or market analysis, marketing, and managing social media content is required.

C. Post Entry Training: Training to gain familiarity with the full range of U.S. government PD programs
and activities and electronic delivery systems. FSI courses required for full performance level (approximately
7 weeks):

R/PPR REU Monitoring and Evaluation (5 days);

PY220 Introduction to Grants and Cooperative Agreements (24 hours online);
PY222 Monitoring Grants and Cooperative Agreements (16 hours online);
PY331 Managing PD Resources at Post (3 days);
PY342 Managing the IVLP and Post EVDB Web Application (5 days);
PY344 Alumni Outreach Strategy Building Seminar (5 days);
PY441 Introduction to the Fulbright Program (3 hours)
PY204 Foundational Seminar in PD for LE Staff (10 days).

Note: FSI Courses/course numbers may change.

D. Language Proficiency: Level 4 (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing English is required. Level 4 (Fluent)

Speaking/Reading/Writing Azerbaijani is required.

E. Job Knowledge: Detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in
Azerbaijan as they relate to the influence of EOL institutions and experts; understanding of U.S. historical,
political, economic, social and cultural forces that shape U.S. foreign policy; comprehensive knowledge of the
policy focus and positions of EOL institutions and experts; understanding of regional, ethnic, socio-economic,
cultural and linguistic factors and the influence of religious, cultural and educational institutions in shaping
Azerbaijani perceptions of the U.S. are all required. Knowledge of Department of State (DOS) professional
exchanges, academic exchange programs, citizen exchanges, speaker programs, and others are required. Must
have general knowledge of project management, including defining project objectives, outcomes, and
assessment methods.

Knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis and analytics, and customer service standards in the U.S.
and Azerbaijan; knowledge of trends in audience engagement; understanding of communications in the region
and the international information environment as it affects Azerbaijan; detailed knowledge of PD engagement
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tools, related policies and procedures for each; and knowledge of multiple PD resource streams and
regulations are all required.

A thorough understanding of the attitudes and preferences of EOL audiences in Azerbaijan, including the
regional, ethnic, social, cultural, linguistic and other factors and institutions that shape those attitudes, is
required. Detailed knowledge of Azerbaijani education policy, higher education reform, and professional and
academic exchange programs is required.

F. Skills and Abilities:

Analytic skills: Must have strong analytic skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use PD tools to
move Azerbaijani attitudes in positive ways. Must be able to advise senior Mission leaders of opportunities to
promote Mission objectives; identify, analyze, predict and assess EOL audience attitudes; evaluate the impact
of projects and exchanges and modify approaches for greatest outcomes. Must be able to perceive the
emergence of new influencers and the influence of differing EOL individuals and institutions, and adjust
operations and programming accordingly.

Communication Interpersonal skills: Must have excellent customer relations, interpersonal 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 materials for publication in both English and Azerbaijani
language. Must be able to tailor communications to fit formal and informal situations and different ethnic,
religious and linguistic cultures. Must be able to brief on a variety of issues, and interpret between English
and the Azerbaijani language for public programs.

Management Skills: Strong project management skills are required, including the ability to develop and
oversee project budgets and to organize, run, and present projects such as seminars, digital video conferences,
panel discussions, lectures, and professional and academic programs. 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.
Thorough, detailed 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. Detailed knowledge of and ability to use social media and mobile platforms, photo and video
sharing sites, podcast creation, and basic photo and video skills are all required. Must have good numerical
skills to be able to develop and manage project and grant budgets; must be able to develop descriptive
statistical analysis of target audience segments and to describe the outcomes of EOL activities and initiatives.

Availability: Must be available to travel throughout Azerbaijan to support EOL activities.

16. Position Element

A. Supervision Received: Receives direct supervision from the PDO for Public Engagement or PAO
designee.

B. Supervision Exercised: Has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

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C. Available Guidelines:

Operational Guidelines: U.S. Embassy manuals and instructions; Mission office procedures. Foreign Affairs
Manual, Foreign Affairs Handbook. Guidelines for PD Resource Allocation Module (PDRAM); Guidelines
for PD Tools; InfoCentral PD Toolkit; Information technology standards and requirements; current regulations
for grants, cooperative agreements; Department guidance and legal requirements on fund-raising, gifts and
partnership agreements (for PD); Department guidelines on copyright; captioning, etc.; Department guidelines
on social media updated at socialmedia.state.gov; PD Evaluation Policy (February 2016 and updates).

Policy Guidelines: State Department and Regional Bureau Strategic Plans, Quadrennial Diplomacy and
Development Review (QDDR). Mission Integrated Country Strategy (ICS); annual Public Diplomacy
Implementation Plan (PDIP); PD Country Context (PDCC); Global Public Affairs (GPA) program guidelines
and related cables; guidelines on collections and information.

Program Guidelines: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) guidelines for professional and
academic exchanges, including International Leadership Program (IVLP), Citizen Exchanges, Fulbright
scholar programs, and alumni engagement.

D. Exercise of Judgment: Uses judgment when communicating with all target audiences and all external
contacts, ensuring content and tone are appropriate and respectful of Azerbaijani sensitivities. Exercises
judgment in matching engagement tools with interests of EOL target audience segments, and in allocating
program, human and funding resources to EOL activities and projects. Uses judgment in allocating program,
human, and funding resources to support professional and academic exchange programs to and from the U.S.,
and in shaping and overseeing implementation of Mission policies and decisions about EOL exchanges. Uses
judgment in liaising between Washington-based GOR and local grantee implementers of exchange programs.

E. Authority to make Commitments: Has no authority to make financial or contractual commitments. Has
authority to commit non-financial program and staff resources to PD activities, projects and initiatives
targeting EOL audiences, in consultation with the Public Diplomacy Officer for Public Engagement and the
PAO.

F. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Maintains productive contact with Mission officers and staff
for Mission engagement with established opinion leaders, their institutions and networks. Develops and
cultivates broad substantive contact, up to and including at ministerial levels, with Azerbaijani officials and
experts (senior scholars, intellectuals, political, economic, social and other leaders) who are influential in
shaping Azerbaijani perceptions of the U.S. Maintains contact with a wide range of U.S. and Azerbaijani
experts on issues related to U.S. policy objectives to enlist their participation in EOL engagement activities
such as conferences, workshops, and round table discussions.

Uses those contacts to identify opportunities for the USG to use exchange programs to and from the U.S. to
reach EOL audiences, in support of U.S. foreign policy goals. Develops and maintains contact with subject
matter experts for participation in/guidance on exchange programs. Maintains contact with academic, private
and government institutions responsible for implementing ECA- and GPA -grant funded exchange programs.
Collaborates with the Alumni Coordinator in maintaining regular contact with exchanges alumni at all levels.
Develops broad contacts across the Mission to integrate EOL exchanges into Mission planning, and to
coordinate with other sections’ programs.

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Develops and cultivates broad contacts, up to and including at ministerial levels, with officials at the Ministry
of Education, university presidents, and private-sector partner organizations to develop and sustain effective
engagement; maintains contact with Azerbaijani academic, intellectual, cultural, idea, and social leaders whose
views shape the attitudes of key audience groups. Advises the Front Office (Ambassador and Deputy Chief of
Mission) on matters related to education policy and on developments and opportunities to enhance bilateral
educational ties.

G. Time expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year.

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