This position is located in the USAGM, Voice of America, Language Programming Directorate, Africa Division, Hom of Africa Service. The position serves as the first-level supervisor over the Hom of Africa Service and supervises the production and broadcast of news and information in Amharic, Afan Oromo, and Tigrigna via all platforms (radio, TV, Internet, and social media) to the Hom of Africa.

Duties

Include but are not limited to the following: The position serves as a first-level supervisor and exercises supervisory authorities for a minimum of 70% of the time. Directs and coordinates the work of (freelance journalists, reporters, videographers) located in the United States and Africa who produce material for broadcast on an assignment-by-assignment basis. Seeks and recruits such talent, makes work assignments, reviews and accepts finished products, exercises editorial control over their work, ensures quality control, and verifies and certifies invoices for payment. Plans and directs the production of daily radio and television programming, as well as material for print, digital, and social media for the Amharic region. Leads the staff in originating targeted material and in developing program goals. Plans the programs to ensure that individual segments exemplify the highest professional broadcast standards and conform to the dictates of the VOA charter. Plans the programs to ensure that individual segments are designed to attract the interest of viewers and listeners in an internationally competitive broadcast environment and conform to the dictates of the VOA charter. Evaluates and selects source material that the Service uses in its programs, including centrally produced scripts, relevant published and broadcast material, interviews, and other sources supporting the principles of the VOA charter. With the assistance of service editors, edits and adapts English language scripts to ensure balanced programming; edits translated scripts for accuracy, comprehensiveness, clarity, tone, and impact. Prepares original programming material for broadcast Stays fully informed on world and African developments and ensures that those of particular interest to the target audience are included in Amharic programming. Develops contacts with experts and academics who understand the issues and interests of the target audience and uses these experts in Amharic programming as appropriate. Maintains contacts with other governmental agencies such as the U.S. State Department, USAID, WHO, World Bank, Human Rights Watch, Center of Public Integrity. Maintains contacts with journalists with influential news organizations like the BBC, Reuters, NPR, Africa Confidential, etc., Maintains contacts in order to stay abreast of and coordinate coverage of issues involving the target audiences that may require VOA attention. Stays current on US. foreign and domestic policies related to programming for Africa Exercises strict adherence to the VOA journalistic and ethical codes. Ensures compliance with mandatory training requirements as defined by the agency.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S Citizen or U.S. National.
• Candidates MUST meet all qualification requirements by closing date.
• This is a public trust position. If selected, this position requires the completion of the SF-86.
• Suitability Determination: If selected, you may be subject to a background investigation to establish your suitability for federal employment. The background investigation may include, among other aspects, a review of your credit and legal history.
• This position is not covered by a Union Agreement.
• This position has been designated supervisory requiring that the selectee on an initial appointment as a supervisor or manager serve a one-year probationary period.
• If selected for this vacancy, you will be required to file the OGE Form 450 (Confidential Financial Disclosure Report).
• The full performance grade level for this position is GS-14.
• If you are a male applicant who is born after 12/31/59, you are required to be registered for the Selective Service.

Qualifications

Screen out factor: Applicant must have fluency English and native fluency in one or more of the Horn languages (Amharic, Tigrigna, or Afan Oromo) that demonstrates the ability to product and present news and information in both languages. And, enables you to speak, read, write, report, and translate in both languages. This language screen out factor MUST be listed in your resume to receive consideration. Applicants must haveone (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level that is in or directly related to this line of work. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, the following specialized experience is required: Experience with the production and presentation of news and information in one or more of the Horn languages (Amharic, Tigrigna, or Afan-Oromo) and English language via all platforms-radio, TV, and social media, and approves content for broadcast programs to Horn of Africa. Expertise in journalism and in creation and production of multimedia content, including production of content. Expertise in the target media market that enables the incumbent to coordinate content for the Horn service. Experience leading a team of journalists producing multimedia content, and managing a diverse staff/team of content producers in the U.S. and abroad. Expertise in Horn of Africa and the U.S. as it pertains to creation and development of multimedia content for audiences in the Horn of Africa.

Education

Education is not required for this grade level. It cannot be used for qualification purposes.

Contacts

• Address
• Name: Stephanie Creek-Bevins
• Phone: 202-920-2400
• Email: [email protected]