Jobs at AFSA

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Employment at AFSA

The Foreign Service Act of 1980, the legal foundation for the Foreign Service, opens by declaring that “a career Foreign Service, characterized by excellence and professionalism, is essential in the national interest.” AFSA speaks for its members individually, ensuring that the law is upheld and due process followed, but also, crucially, for the long-term health and vigor of the Foreign Service as an institution, certain in the conviction that a career Foreign Service, characterized by excellence and professionalism, is in America’s national interest.

AFSA’s membership include active-duty and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists at the Department of State, as well as members of the Foreign Service from the U.S. Agency for International Development, Foreign Agricultural Service, Foreign Commercial Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and U.S. Agency for Global Media. AFSA exists to support the United States Foreign Service, which deploys worldwide to protect and serve America’s people, interests and values. The Foreign Service is the only U.S. government entity that is globally deployed with an enduring physical presence in almost every country in the world, creating an enormous competitive advantage for America and for Americans from all walks of life. AFSA’s members are career professionals who spend roughly two thirds of their careers abroad representing America to the people and leaders of other countries. Members of the Foreign Service are posted to more than 270 U.S. embassies, consulates and other missions around the globe—most in difficult and many in dangerous environments.

Our AFSA staff are hired from across the Foreign Service and international affairs communities. If you are interested in supporting the Foreign Service mission and working for AFSA, please keep an eye on our website below for available jobs. In the meantime, we have posted our Employee Handbook here for your information.

Social Media Manager

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the professional association and labor union for the United States Foreign Service, seeks a Social Media Manager to work at AFSA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The position will report to the Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach.

Applications will be accepted through March 16, 2025, with an expected start date of April 2, 2025.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Annualized salary of $67,000 - $77,000 across 26 pay periods, depending on experience.
  • Option to telework up to 3 days a week once onboarding has been fully completed.
  • Full-time employees have access to a health care and retirement benefits package.
    • Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
    • Disability (short and long), life, and AD&D insurance paid in full by AFSA.
    • 401(k) and/or Roth 401(k) with up to 5% matching
    • Paid sick, vacation and parental leave.

The Organization

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), created in 1924, is the professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s 17,000+ members include active and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists at the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

AFSA is also a labor union, serving as the exclusive representative of members of the Foreign Service. AFSA negotiates with the management of the principal U.S. Government foreign affairs agencies on personnel policies and procedures affecting members’ conditions of employment, and represents members in grievance proceedings, administrative investigations, and disciplinary proceedings. For more information about AFSA, please go to www.AFSA.org.

The Position and Its Principal Responsibilities

The Social Media Manager plays a key role in enhancing the visibility and understanding of the U.S. Foreign Service's work among the general American public and our target audiences. This position is responsible for creating, curating, and managing content across AFSA’s social media platforms to build brand awareness, engage with diverse audiences, and support the organization's overall goals. The ideal candidate is strategic, highly creative, detail-oriented, and has a nuanced understanding of social media trends, with a passion for storytelling that connects with our mission.

Specific duties include:

  • Under the guidance of the Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach, develop and implement a comprehensive social media strategy aligned with organizational goals to increase brand awareness and public engagement.
  • Create, schedule, and publish content (text, images, videos) that resonates with our target audiences, including members, government partners, and the general public.
  • Monitor social media channels, responding to comments and messages in a timely and professional manner.
  • Analyze performance metrics to inform strategy adjustments and provide regular reports on social media activities.
  • Attend AFSA-related events within the DC-area to generate social media content like videos and photos.
  • Collaborate across AFSA departments to align social media content with broader campaigns and initiatives.
  • Stay up to date on social media trends and tools, making recommendations for new platforms or strategies as needed.
  • Engage with and expand our online community, fostering a positive and informed dialogue around the work of the Foreign Service and AFSA.
  • Assist in the creation and promotion of short-form video content to enhance engagement and reach on platforms like Instagram.

Competencies

  • Content Creation and Curation: Ability to produce engaging and relevant content that resonates with diverse audiences. Skilled in storytelling, writing, video & photo editing and visual content development.
  • Social Media Strategy: Strong understanding of social media platforms and trends, with the ability to develop and execute strategies that align with organizational goals.
  • Audience Engagement: Expertise in building and nurturing online communities through responsive and interactive communication. Ability to foster positive dialogue and manage interactions professionally.
  • Analytical Skills: Proficiency in analyzing social media metrics to assess performance and make data-driven decisions. Ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
  • Creativity and Innovation: Ability to think creatively and propose innovative ideas for content and campaigns. Skilled in adapting to changing trends and technologies in the social media landscape.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams. Clear and effective communicator, both written and verbal.
  • Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and thoroughness in content creation, scheduling, and reporting. Ensures all content aligns with the organization's mission and branding guidelines.
  • Adaptability: Ability to quickly adjust to new platforms, tools, or strategies as social media evolves. Open to continuous learning and professional growth.

Required Skills, Education and Characteristics

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field.
  • 3+ years of experience in social media management, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
  • Strong writing and editing skills, with an eye for detail and creativity.
  • Proficiency with social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok) and related tools (Hootsuite, Hubspot, and creation tools like Canva, etc.).
  • Ability to analyze data and translate it into actionable insights.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance (SF 86P).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of foreign policy or international affairs.
  • Expertise with video editing software like Adobe Premiere.

To Apply

Please email a detailed cover letter, a writing sample and your resume to jobs@afsa.org, subject line "Social Media Manager." The deadline is March 16, 2025.

AFSA Employee Handbook