Regional Foreign Media Specialist

*** This position is contingent upon a contract award ***

SOSi is currently seeking an experienced Foreign Media Analyst to join our team in MacDill AFB, Florida. The Media Analyst will support a program providing a 24/7 “information environment” watch capacity for the CENTCOM Joint Operations Center (JOC). The effort is to collect, translate, and interpret information in support of senior leader decision making with regard to public opinion, media reporting, and social media of assigned regions. The Regional Media Specialists are key personnel who play a vital role in the success of the communication integration process within CENTCOM. They will provide multilingual monitoring of AOR-specific foreign news sources, and provide timely and contextual analysis of current events and affairs, including: trend analysis on key issues developing over time; a range of foreign affairs complex issues; public opinion; and media sentiment, etc.

Responsibilities

Provide cultural and language expertise when needed to the customer, to include written translation services when required’

Engage in CENTCOM foreign language social media platforms to include Facebook, Twitter, etc., to inform and educate audiences using culturally sensitive messages that support key CENTCOM themes, in coordination with guidance from CENTCOM Communication Integration leadership. Make culturally-based recommendations regarding how CENTCOM themes or communications products may need to be altered.’

Provide foreign language news media expertise and advice to customer leadership; proactively inform leadership of social, political, economic, and religious motivations behind major news and social media influencers.

Provide translation and advice regarding appropriate cut lines or captions for publicly releasable digital imagery.

Identify key media personalities within the AOR and within their language of expertise. Make recommendations as to what key media personalities CCCI leadership should give interviews Be able to facilitate those interviews and evaluate resulting media coverage.

Qualifications

Active DoD Secret required

Bachelor’s degree preferred; years of experience may be substituted in lieu of education.

Fluency/expertise in speaking, writing and reading at least one of the following languages (Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Turkish, Urdu/Pashto and/or Dari). 3/3/3 or higher on the Defense Language Proficiency Test, or equivalent, desired.

Knowledge of how to conduct research to determine key foreign communicators (government officials, journalists, religious leaders, etc.) their leanings and target audiences.

Deemed expert analyst of foreign media sources, government-sponsored media outlets, and culture-specific mainstream media communications and dissemination techniques and methods.

In-depth knowledge of US/international relations with, and the geopolitics, cultures, histories, customs, and nuances of, CENTCOM AOR countries, with an emphasis on United States government regional interests, and therefore able to provide insightful, objective analysis to assist CCCI to formulate effective, regionally tailored, communications plans and products. Completed or ongoing courses or of educational study in one or more of these areas is preferred; preferably masters or doctoral level and/or ten or more years of work experience in public affairs/relations, journalism, communications, foreign affairs, history, political science, or international affairs, plus applicable languages.

Experience with Associated Press (AP) Style, Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint.

Excellent proven communication (written and verbal) and briefing capabilities, public affairs/relations, and critical thinking skills.

Ability to effectively collaborate with a team and coordinate and advise on important communication integration projects.

Knowledge of social media applications and technologies, to include Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Knowledge of the U.S. military structure, culture, and language, as well as the broader U.S. national security apparatus a plus.

Previous U.S. military, Department of Defense, or other US Departmental agencies such as Department of State experience a plus.

Working Conditions

Working conditions are normal for an office environment.

SOSi is an equal employment opportunity employer and affirmative action employer. All interested individuals will receive consideration and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or protected veteran status. SOSi takes affirmative action in support of its policy to advance diversity and inclusion of individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.