Public Diplomacy Project Manager

Public Diplomacy Project Manager

The Embassy of Switzerland in the United States of America located in Washington, D.C., is seeking a qualified candidate for a full-time (100%) position as Public Diplomacy Project Manager starting mid/late-February 2022.

The Public Diplomacy Project Manager works in the Communications and Public Diplomacy Section, which is responsible for conceiving, planning, and implementing all aspects of the Embassy’s communications and public diplomacy outreach with the goal of promoting Switzerland to American audiences. The position focuses primarily on project and event management and requires excellent organizational and communication skills. Projects regularly involve working with other sections at the Embassy, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern, and external partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Project Management: Manage public diplomacy programs and events in support of Switzerland’s image abroad in the areas of culture (architecture and design, fine arts, literature), as well as humanitarian development and other related areas from conceptualization to implementation and evaluation.
• Budget Management: Secure internal/external project funding, keep detailed budgets, and work closely with the Embassy’s accounting department on payments, account reconciliations, and closures.
• Partnership Management: Manage the Embassy’s partnerships with public and private institutions in Switzerland and the U.S. and establish a sustained dialogue with a broad array of stakeholders.
• Content Creation & Storytelling: Oversee content creation for the Soirée Suisse, the Embassy of Switzerland’s annual signature public diplomacy event welcoming representatives from the U.S. administration, Congress, and other opinion leaders.
• Language Promotion: Manage the Embassy of Switzerland’s active participation in German language promotion activities such as German-language literature events.
• Communications and Branding: Strategize, implement, and evaluate partnerships and public diplomacy engagement in all forms (virtual, in-person, and on social media); liaise with communications colleagues to complement public diplomacy programs with an integrated digital strategy to reach virtual audiences; collaborate with other Embassy departments on public diplomacy activities to increase the understanding of Switzerland in the United States.

Requirements

• Four-year college or university degree in international relations, political science, arts, or a related field
• At least three continuous years of relevant work experience in the field of project management in the Washington, D.C. area
• Fluency in either German, French, or Italian is required; passive knowledge of one of the other languages is preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compose texts and other written material, and to conduct daily business in English
• Excellent knowledge of Switzerland (political system, education, science, culture, etc.) and the desire to promote the country, its culture, and its people
• Broad interests, aptitude for public diplomacy with an interest in working in a diplomatic setting
• Proven ability to work independently, but also to integrate into a team to achieve common goals
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and be flexible sometimes under pressure and with short deadlines
• Friendly and open-minded personality with a reliable and tactful character
• Service-oriented approach to tasks
• Excellent computer skills, including in Microsoft Office suite, experience with databases and event management platforms, and willingness to learn new software as needed
• Occasional work on weekends and evenings (approx. 3-5 weekends and 20 evenings per year)
• Excellent knowledge of the Washington, D.C. area’s cultural institutions and non-profit landscape
• Be either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent residency (LPR) status preferred
• Capable of lifting up to 40 lb.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license

We Offer

• An inviting working atmosphere, interesting work at a foreign representation
• Competitive salary and benefits package (U.S. local employment contract)
• Employer-matched 401(k) plan for eligible employees
• 20 annual vacation days, some U.S. holidays and some Swiss holidays
• Location in NW Washington, D.C.

To Apply

Please send your résumé, a letter of interest relevant to your qualifications for the position as described above, two letters of recommendation, and salary expectations no later than Sunday, January 23, 2022, in PDF format to: washington.jobs@eda.admin.ch. In the subject line, please write your “LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, Public Diplomacy Project Manager” to ensure timely processing of your application.

No phone calls please; only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted by late-January.