U.S. Embassy in Nairobi Announces Vacancy: Public Engagement Assistant (Emerging Voices Coordinator). The position is open to U.S. Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) only. The successful candidate will coordinate Mandela Washington Fellows Program outreach and emerging voices engagement. Deadline: June 1, 2026.
Date: May 19, 2026
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NAIROBI, Kenya – The U.S. Embassy to Kenya has announced a vacancy for a Public Engagement Assistant (Emerging Voices Coordinator) under a substitution appointment open exclusively to U.S. Eligible Family Members (USEFMs).
The U.S. Embassy, which opened in 1964, has through sixteen ambassadors enriched the ties between the American and Kenyan people. Chief among the U.S. Mission’s goals are fostering the development of a sound Kenyan economy, strengthening the institutions of Kenyan democracy, and serving the needs of Americans in and around this East African hub.
According to an advertisement posted on May 19, 2026, applications must be submitted on or before Monday, June 1, 2026.
Important Eligibility Note
This position is open to U.S. Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) only. Local Kenyan citizens and non-USEFM foreign nationals are not eligible for this specific vacancy.
Position
Job Title: Public Engagement Assistant (Emerging Voices Coordinator) – Substitution
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Reporting Structure: The Emerging Voices Coordinator works under the direct supervision of the Public Diplomacy Officer for Emerging Voices (PDO EV). The position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
The Emerging Voices Coordinator will coordinate Mission Public Diplomacy outreach to Emerging Voices audiences through the Mandela Washington Fellows (MWF) Program and other emerging voices outreach initiatives.
Core duties include:
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Developing projects and events in Kenya and regionally to engage Emerging Voices audiences.
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Working with MWF alumni to develop activities that engage Emerging Voices audiences through focused community engagement programs.
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Designing, developing, identifying co-sponsors and funding sources, planning, and overseeing a range of outreach activities in support of Mission goals.
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Managing recruitment and placement for Kenyan MWF participants.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education:
College or University studies in any field are required. No specific field of study is mandated.
Experience:
Five years of progressively responsible experience in a multilingual, multicultural, multinational, government, or museum environment is required. This experience must include marketing, public relations, communication, or education duties as a significant part of the job.
Language Requirement:
Level IV (Fluent) speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in English is required.
Required Knowledge
Candidates must possess detailed knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and American interests as they apply to Kenya, with special focus on the Emerging Voices sector. A general knowledge of U.S. government and Department of State structure, as well as Public Diplomacy Bureaus within the Department, is required.
The role requires a detailed understanding of Public Diplomacy tactics and tools designed to engage Emerging Voices audiences, along with general knowledge of cross-cultural communications. Candidates must know Department standards for project management, including defining project objectives, outcomes, and assessment methods.
A thorough understanding of the attitudes and preferences of the Emerging Voices audience sector in Kenya is required. This includes regional, ethnic, socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic factors, as well as the religious and educational institutions that shape those attitudes.
Candidates must also be practitioners of digital communication tools and practices trending with youth audiences, as well as those used by cultural or idea leaders influential with Kenya’s Emerging Voices sector.
Required Skills and Abilities
Analytic Skills: Strong analytic skills and the ability to conceptualize how best to use innovation and cutting-edge experiential learning opportunities to attract Emerging Voices audiences and engage them positively. The ability to advise senior leaders, identify trends, predict audience attitudes, evaluate impact, and modify approaches for best outcomes is essential.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent customer relations and interpersonal cross-cultural communication skills are required. Candidates must be able to identify and engage key figures critical to developing MWF priority initiatives. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking, interviewing for evaluation purposes, and writing reports and material for publication, are essential.
Management Skills: Strong project management skills are required, including the ability to establish credibility and lead group participation in projects such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and other outreach programs, including virtual activities. Candidates must be able to negotiate agreements with partner institutions and manage their fulfillment.
Technical Skills: Good keyboarding and data entry skills, along with excellent familiarity with electronic discovery tools, particularly the Internet, and standard information retrieval practices, are required. Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Public Diplomacy-specific software, databases, and reporting tools is essential. Candidates must be practiced in using social media and mobile platforms, podcasts, and basic photo and video tools. Good numerical skills are required to develop and oversee project and grant budgets.
How to Apply for the U.S. Embassy Position
Interested and qualified USEFM candidates must apply online through the official U.S. Department of State recruitment portal.
Application Process:
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Visit the ERA (Electronic Recruitment Application) portal at erajobs.state.gov
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Search for the Public Engagement Assistant (Emerging Voices Coordinator) vacancy in Nairobi.
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Complete the online application form.
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Upload required documents, including your curriculum vitae, academic certificates, and proof of U.S. Eligible Family Member status.
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Submit your application before the deadline.
Deadline: June 1, 2026
Important Notes for Applicants
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USEFMs Only: This position is open exclusively to U.S. Eligible Family Members. Local Kenyan applicants should not apply for this specific vacancy.
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No Fees: The U.S. Embassy does not charge any application, processing, or interviewing fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Beware of fraudsters.
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Only Shortlisted Candidates Contacted: The Embassy will contact only shortlisted candidates.
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Security Clearance: Successful candidates will be required to obtain appropriate security clearances.
Why Work at the U.S. Embassy?
The U.S. Embassy to Kenya offers a dynamic, multicultural work environment. As the principal diplomatic mission representing the United States in Kenya, the Embassy plays a critical role in strengthening bilateral ties, promoting democratic values, and fostering economic development. Employees at the Embassy gain exposure to international diplomacy, public diplomacy, and cross-cultural engagement.
The Emerging Voices Coordinator role is particularly significant as it focuses on engaging Kenya’s youth and emerging leaders through the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellows Program, a flagship initiative of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
About the U.S. Embassy to Kenya
The U.S. Embassy to Kenya opened in 1964. Since then, through sixteen ambassadors, the Embassy has enriched the ties between the American and Kenyan people and served the needs of Americans in and around this East African hub. The U.S. Mission’s goals include fostering the development of a sound Kenyan economy, strengthening the institutions of Kenyan democracy, and promoting peace and security in the region.
For more information and to apply, visit erajobs.state.gov before the June 1, 2026 deadline.
