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 missions 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 missions 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 missions digital diplomacy, including use of the missions
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.