Senior Development Outreach Communications (DOC) Specialist at USAID

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development and implementation of a communications strategy, in coordination with the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) and USAID technical offices
• Producing and disseminating public information about the U.S. Mission to Somalia’s foreign assistance activities, promoting USAID/Somalia development and humanitarian programs that cut across several technical offices. Communications products will include, but are not limited to: fact sheets, case studies, press releases, success stories, photos, videos, social media posts, presentations, and USAID/Somalia web site content
• Serving as the point of contact for all media and public relations matters and as the in-house expert on branding and marking for all USAID communications materials and deliverables
• Coordinating with PAS to organize public media events for the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia and the USAID Mission Director; leveraging local and international media relationships; preparing and overseeing interviews for television and radio broadcasting, social media outlets, websites, and online and mainstream publications; developing inter-agency messaging; drafting, editing and tracking briefing check lists (BCLs); drafting speeches, talking points and press releases
• Coordinating with the USAID/Washington Somalia Desk and the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) on communications and outreach
• Serving as Activity Manager for a $1.7 million buy-in to a third-party communication support services contract, including oversight of media monitoring, photography and videography, translation services, graphic design, and printing
• Supporting USAID implementing partners (IP) and sub-contractors in developing activity-level strategic communications and branding and implementation plans, and building the capacity of IP staff in writing, photography, and videography

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The incumbent must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:

Education: 

• A master’s degree in a relevant professional discipline such as media, journalism, or communications and a minimum of seven years of work experience in a relevant position. However, 10 years or more of substantive and specifically relevant experience may be acceptable in lieu of a master’s degree.

Professional Experience:

• The candidate is required to have a minimum of six years of experience directly involved in media, outreach, and communications in development partner and/or donor contexts. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to liaise authoritatively with representatives from the development sector, local media, local government, USG, and other relevant actors. Clear understanding and demonstrated skills in outreach and coordination of organizational messaging is required.
• The candidate must have demonstrated experience in leading consultations and facilitation of various teams with diverse backgrounds and development perspectives; applying broad U.S. Government (or similar development organizations) principles, policies and strategies; leading effective U.S. Government interagency, partner country, and donor coordination; and working with U.S. Government leadership at the working-and senior-levels.

Additional Desired Skills:

1. Working knowledge of U.S. Government policies, priorities and strategies
2. Demonstrated familiarity and expertise with a diverse range of communications approaches and tools
3. Strong writing and speaking skills, particularly writing speeches, talking points, social media posts, and various public outreach documents
4. Ability to lead meetings and presentations with internal and external stakeholders