Note: This program is entirely on a volunteer basis; there is no compensation attached to this internship and no benefits, nor any future employment rights. Service is not creditable for leave accrual.
Open to: Foreign National Students, non-U.S. citizens
Position: Student Intern in the Public Affairs Section
Opening Date: November 6, 2018
Closing date: November 19, 2018
Work Hours: Flexible work schedule (minimum 20 hours/week)
Agency/Section: Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy, Sofia, Bulgaria
Duration of Internship: February – July 2019 (6 months)
The Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia is looking to recruit a student intern to support office day-to-day activities. We are looking for a university student with enthusiasm, initiative, excellent communication and English-language skills, an interest in marketing and public relations, and an understanding of both the media and social media. See below for specific qualifications. Upon successful completion of the internship, a certificate and a reference letter will be provided.
The Public Affairs Section manages press, cultural, and educational activities for the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria. The section comprises a Press Office, a Cultural Office, and an Information Resource Center. The Cultural Affairs Office fosters mutual understanding and cooperation by promoting a wide range of professional, institutional, and personal ties between the United States and Bulgaria. The office manages exchange programs, promotes ties between American and Bulgarian institutions and promotes American arts and culture in Bulgaria. The Press Office handles all relations between the Embassy and the media, including Bulgarian, U.S., and international journalists. It conducts press conferences, briefings, and interviews; arranges coverage of Embassy programs and activities; distributes texts, transcripts, and articles that explain U.S. policies; and informs the Ambassador and the State Department about Bulgarian media coverage of issues related to U.S. policies.
Interns will help promote the Embassy’s cultural, educational and professional programs and events to Bulgarian audiences using traditional and social media methods, assist Public Affairs staff in designing and implementing our cultural, educational and professional programs, write short reports on the Embassy’s activities for use on social media and for sharing with the State Department in Washington, D.C., prepare short summaries of news stories covered by Bulgarian media outlets, help plan and attend the Embassy’s public events.
Qualification requirements:
- Currently enrolled as a university student with clear intent to continue studying through the time of the internship;
- Preferably studying journalism, marketing, public relations or a similar field;
- Excellent English – language speaking, writing and reading ability;
- A basic understanding of the Bulgarian media environment;
- Experience using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others;
- The ability to work with others on complicated, lengthy projects;
- Excellent creativity, initiative, adaptability and communication skills;
Eligibility criteria: Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment. Only students who are non-U.S. citizens in Bulgaria or Bulgarian students studying abroad are eligible for the intern program, including any foreign nationals who are legal resident students in Bulgaria. Applicant must be a student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university (with clear intent to continue studying through the time of the internship or return to education after the internship ends) and in good academic standing. Applicant should be able to provide a certified document from the educational institution that the student is enrolled and must be able to work minimum 20 hours per week.
Applicants should be able to provide 2 (two) letters of recommendation and a certified document from the educational institution that the student is enrolled. If selected, the student must pass a background check and receive security and medical certifications before commencement of the internship.
How to Apply: All applicants are instructed to address each selection criterion detailed above with specific and comprehensive supporting information. Interested candidates for this position must submit a current resume or curriculum vitae in English and 2 (two) letters of recommendation. Only applications received in the U.S. Embassy Sofia, Human Resources Office before the closing date of this announcement will be considered and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Applications will be collected by the end of the day November 19, 2018 at:
Mail address: U.S. Embassy Sofia, Human Resources Office
16 Koziak Str., Lozenets, Sofia 1408 // fax: (+359) 2-937-5231
E-mail: Sofia_Applications@state.gov
