Regional Communications Specialist at USAID

Position Summary

The Communications Specialist will support USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Services task order.

The Communications Specialist will provide support to the development of communications products and publications focused upon USAIDs development strategy.
Regional Communications Specialist Job Responsibilities

Social Media and Media Monitoring

• Supply input into the production of social media toolkits
• Develop quarterly plans for social media posts including justification based on current events
• Provide daily media monitoring reports and advise on media houses and journalist content
• Prepare for and cover events as requested
• Prepare website stories,
• Engage in media calls and prepare press kits,
• Take, edit and post photos
• Update media contact lists
• Prepare event specific media monitoring reports

Gathering content from the field

• Gather stories from IPs through making field visits at the discretion of the COR
• Produce three Flickr stories from field visits
• Provide story lines and transforming lives stories that reflect USAIDs reach
• Prepare success stories for use in other publications including e Newsletters and Quarterly brochures

Strategic Planning

• Using experience participate and develop materials for strategy review sessions
• Assist in developing an agenda and a presentation that:
• Reviews and assesses MSI communications work in the previous quarter using indicators established by the overall communications strategy;
• Highlight successes, challenges and recommendations;
• Synthesizes journalist participation and press coverage; and
• Pitches potential stories or identifies gaps in content based on field work and research.

Oversight, coordination and editing

• Ensure all written materials adhere to relevant style guidelines before submission
• Coordinate coverage of events and manage work planning with other communications specialists
• Support coordination of quarterly meetings with IP communication staff

Qualifications for the Regional Communications Specialist Job

• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications or a relevant related field of study. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of related public relations, public outreach or Communications for Development experience.
• Demonstrated experience producing and editing written products such as social media messages, news/blog articles, reports, fact sheets, speeches, success stories, and press releases.
• English language skills at the S/5 and R/5 level to perform communications technical services.
• Ability to travel as needed throughout Kenya and East Africa
• Demonstrated supervisory skills.
• USAID experience is a plus.
• Ability to work well in a team.