10 FAH-1 H-020
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AT POSTS ABROAD
(CT:ASH-9; 03-14-2019)
(Office of Origin: R/PPR)
10 FAH-1 H-021 INTRODUCTION
(CT:ASH-7; 12-04-2018)
a. The mission of public diplomacy is to support the achievement of U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives, the advancement of national interests, and the enhancement of national security by understanding, engaging, informing, and influencing foreign publics and by expanding and strengthening the relationship between the people and government of the United States and the people of the rest of the world. Public diplomacy enables us to explain U.S. society and values, build mutual understanding with foreign publics, forge partnerships and mobilize networks to work toward common goals.
b. Overall authority for public diplomacy resides with the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (R), who is responsible for oversight and coordination of public diplomacy priorities at posts; in the regional bureau PD offices; in the three R family bureaus: Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), International Information Programs (IIP), and Public Affairs (PA); in the Office of Policy, Planning and Resources (R/PPR), and in the Global Engagement Center (GEC). (See 1 FAM 046 and 10 FAM 111 for the organization and function of public diplomacy at the Department of State).
c. Under Chief of Mission authority, the public affairs officer (PAO) at posts abroad, and his or her section (the public diplomacy section, PD section) lead and coordinate public affairs and public diplomacy for the entire mission, country-wide. Public diplomacy is an integral part of a mission’s responsibilities and activities.
d. The lead PD section in each country is located at the embassy and is comprised of U.S. Foreign Service officers and Locally Employed (LE) Staff. The PD section also sometimes employs family members of Foreign Service officers and individuals on personal services contracts (PSCs). Separate consulates or other constituent posts may have their own PD sections comprised of U.S. Foreign Service officers and/or LE Staff, or an officer or LE Staff with part- or full-time responsibility for public diplomacy.
e. Composition of the PD section:
1. The PAO (or counselor or minister counselor for public affairs) heads the PD section. Depending on the size of the post, the PD section could include other public diplomacy staff such as a deputy PAO, cultural affairs officer, information officer, assistant cultural affairs officer, assistant information officer, or at smaller posts, an assistant PAO, and LE Staff). Large or regional posts may include a regional English language officer (RELO) and a regional public engagement specialist (REPS).
f. Reporting Chain of Command:
1. The PAO reports to the Chief of Mission (through the DCM). The PAO also collaborates closely with the PD DAS and PD office in the appropriate regional bureau. The PD section staff at constituent posts report to their constituent post supervisors; however, they receive guidance and resources through the PAO at the embassy or principal post, and their performance may be reviewed by the PAO.
g. Responsibilities of the PAO:
1. Under the authority of the Ambassador and DCM, the PAO develops and conducts the country-wide public diplomacy strategy and program for the mission, using a “whole of mission” approach that engages all parts of the mission. The PAO advises the ambassador and country team on public affairs and public diplomacy issues in country and the most effective strategies for building short-and long-term positive and productive relations for the United States with the country, founded on mutual understanding and trust. The PAO, in collaboration with the rest of the PD section staff, identifies key audiences/influencers in country, and develops strategies for engaging with audiences on these issues, with the goal of influencing and persuading them to support U.S. foreign policy goals. The public diplomacy strategy should engage both established influencers and emerging voices.
2. The PAO leads the mission’s media relationship. If so designated by the Ambassador, the PAO (or in some cases, the Information Officer (IO)) serves as the chief spokesperson for the mission and manages the public face of the Ambassador and the mission. The PAO serves as the country-wide public diplomacy coordinator. If designated by the Ambassador, the PAO clears all speeches, press statements, and press guidance for the mission, including those originating from other agencies or the military. (In posts with an IO, the PAO may delegate much of the responsibility for clearance to the IO.) Working with the Ambassador and the country team, the PAO and his/her PD team are responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating public diplomacy strategies for all high level visits and mission initiatives.
3. The PAO is responsible for managing the PD section, including all Foreign Service and LE Staff, ensuring that they--as integral parts of the PD team and mission--are informed about COM, R, Department of State, and U.S. Government priorities.
4. The PAO is responsible for all PD resources country-wide. The PAO manages and administers relevant funds designated for public diplomacy under the Diplomatic and Consular Programs Public Diplomacy (D&CP PD .7) and Educational and Cultural Exchanges (ECE) appropriations. PD funds may only be used for authorized public diplomacy purposes, and ECE funds may only be used for exchanges.
5. The PAO advises the Ambassador and the country team on PD priorities, initiatives, and resources, including relevant guidance from the regional bureau PD office, R family bureaus and R/PPR.
6. The PAO is responsible for coordinating with the PD DAS and the PD office in the appropriate regional bureau and PD offices in the functional bureaus, as necessary. The PAO, or his/her designee, is responsible for coordination with other R family bureaus: IIP, ECA, PA, and GEC.
7. The PAO and his/her section are responsible for contributing to the Integrated Country Strategy (ICS), developing a PD strategic plan (the Public Diplomacy Implementation Plan, or PDIP) based on the ICS, requesting resources, managing and allocating resources as appropriate, and accounting for, reporting on, and evaluating the use of resources and activities through the Mission Activity Tracker (MAT).
8. The PAO, in consultation with relevant representatives of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), is responsible for the planning and direction of all educational and cultural exchange programs. (In posts with a CAO, the PAO may delegate much of the responsibility for managing exchange programs to the CAO, but the PAO retains ultimate responsibility.
9. The PAO , or his/her designee, has responsibility for leading the mission’s digital diplomacy, including use of the mission’s website, relevant social media, and the full slate of digital tools.
10. The PAO, and/or a designated Grants Officer, is responsible for the approval, implementation and oversight of all PD grants for the Mission.
11. The PAO is responsible for managing the relationships with other PD entities in-country, including but not limited to:
· American Spaces, including but not limited to American Centers, American
Corners, and Binational Centers (BNCs)
· Fulbright Commissions, if applicable
· Fulbright scholars and students, English Teaching Fellows
· Educational Advising Centers
· VOA and other U.S. Agency for Global Media entities
· Exchange alumni and alumni organizations
h. See also 10 FAM 111 for introduction.