Cultural Relations Specialist, Horn of Africa

Atlas Advisors, LLC (ATLAS) is seeking a Cultural Relations Specialist (CRS) to support the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Djibouti.

The Cultural Relations Specialist will provide CJTF-HOA leadership and staff with cultural, political, community, and linguistic expertise to support engagements throughout the region. The position combines cultural advisory services, community and government liaison, media monitoring, reporting and briefings, translation, and interpretation in support of U.S. Government operations.

Primary support will be provided in Djibouti, with potential requirements elsewhere within the CJTF-HOA Area of Responsibility, including Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise CJTF-HOA leadership and staff on local culture, customs, politics, policies, community dynamics, and engagement strategies.

• Participate in meetings and engagements and provide cultural analysis, recommendations, and post-meeting reporting.

• Prepare and deliver cultural and community-awareness briefings, including newcomer and event-specific briefings.

• Advise personnel on local customs, courtesies, religious considerations, and appropriate engagement with community and government representatives.

• Monitor Djiboutian and regional news and media and provide summaries, assessments of potential impacts, and recommendations.

• Provide insight into local community sentiment, emerging issues, and social trends.

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with Djiboutian government officials, military representatives, community leaders, tribal leaders, religious leaders, and other key local stakeholders.

• Develop and maintain a network of trusted local contacts supporting CJTF-HOA situational awareness and community engagement.

• Support community outreach initiatives and engagement planning.

• Provide written and verbal translation of correspondence, media, press releases, social media content, meetings, briefings, and other materials.

• Provide real-time interpretation during meetings and engagements involving U.S., host-nation, community, and other government officials.

• Prepare required reports, summaries, newsletters, translations, and other contract deliverables.

Qualifiations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Communications, Public Affairs, Political Science, Business, or another relevant field.

• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written French.

• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written Somali.

• Working proficiency in English.

• Working proficiency in local Djiboutian languages, such as Afar and/or Arabic.

• Ability to provide accurate written translation, verbal translation, and real-time interpretation.

• Ability to successfully meet applicable U.S. Government, AFRICOM, and Camp Lemonnier access, security screening, and vetting requirements.

• Ability to work on-site in Djibouti and adjust working hours based on operational requirements.

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in international business, government, public relations, public policy, NGOs, or a related field.

• Previous experience providing cultural relations or similar services in support of the U.S. military.

• Existing knowledge of and professional relationships with the U.S. Embassy and Djiboutian government, military, community, or other local stakeholders.

• Familiarity with the Djiboutian legal system and/or U.S. Foreign Claims process.

• Experience working with Djiboutian or international newspaper, television, radio, or other media organizations.

• Advanced or professional degree in a relevant field.

• Demonstrated experience working effectively in multinational and multicultural environments.

Work Schedule & Location

The position is primarily based at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Core operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 0800–1700, and Saturday, 0900–1300. Personnel may be required to adjust their schedules or support requirements outside normal operating hours and must be capable of reporting within three hours when recalled. The standard workweek will not exceed 50 hours.

Although primary performance is anticipated in Djibouti, support may also be required elsewhere within the CJTF-HOA AOR, including Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.