Special Assistant

The Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) requires an Administrative Assistant IV (Senior Executive) to support the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Preservation and Global Platforms. Support includes, but is not limited to, all functional roles of an Administrative Assistant, from daily scheduling, drafting memos, coordinating taskers, to travel, budget, and project management, as well as other functions that directly assist the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preservation and Global Platforms, as well as the offices under the ECA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preservation and Global Platforms.  Support to the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, and others in the ECA Front Office will also be required.  Note that the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Preservation and Global Platforms may also occasionally serve as the Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. Exceptional critical thinking, writing and organizational skills is required, as well as the ability to prepare senior principals for a vast array of meetings, engagements, and events.

• Provides support directly to Deputy Assistant Secretary level and above.
• Conducts research, drafts, and edits written materials such as correspondence, memoranda, speeches, reports, newsletters, and briefing papers.
• Facilitates briefing checklists, briefing papers, and briefing books in preparation for an array of meetings and events.
• Helps to coordinate and staff diplomatic and other high-level meetings, consultations, and liaison engagements, including those with ministers of foreign countries.  Support may include researching and preparing background information on attendees and developing meeting agendas, as well as providing arrangements for security clearances, VIP parking, and building access, or an online meeting solution, as needed. 
• Cooperates and collaborates with ECA Front Office Staffers in managing the many duties and deadlines involved in supporting the Assistant Secretary and other senior leadership in the bureau.  
• Prepares the Deputy Assistant Secretary, for meeting with principals and others in attendance for any event.  May serve as notetaker for meetings.
• Compiles background memoranda, talking points and scenarios, and briefs the Deputy Assistant Secretary, or other assigned principal, in advance of meetings, events, or conferences. 
•  Helps to prepare and coordinate representational events and conferences, including assisting with the planning, budgeting, coordinating, and recruiting of volunteers, working on event material’s content and graphics, as well as providing onsite support.
•  Supports and escorts principals at representational events, including evening or weekend events.  This may include serving as the control officer.