USAID Kenya Communications and Outreach Advisor at International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI)

Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Communications and Outreach Officer will be responsible for design and implementation of the DGPS Office’s communications strategy that highlights program accomplishments across its development portfolio. S/he is expected to take initiative and act independently in formulating clear and concise messaging on DGPS technical accomplishments that support the Mission’s Development Objectives. The incumbent will provide professional expertise in the preparation and management of DGPS’s executive correspondence and presentation materials intended for internal and external audiences, such as talking points, presentations, fact sheets and speech writing. Lastly, s/he will work in tandem with DGPS technical staff to interface with respective development partners to enhance communications and advance partnerships.

Specific tasks and duties:

Communications: (60%)

• Assess current communications products and develop a strategic communications plan in coordination with the Development Outreach Coordinator (DOC)/Strategic Planning & Analysis Office (SPA) and support messaging to highlight the progress of DGPS-funded activities towards the achievement of their overall goals and contributions to associated USAID/KEA development objectives.
• Coordinate with the DOC to leverage local, regional, and international media relationships that will ensure DGPS events/stories are covered on a timely basis with appropriate content and that USAID and Embassy Nairobi staff are well informed of DGPS-sponsored activities and events.
• Establish excellent working relationships with a wide range of senior figures within the development and United States government (USG) community related to communications, including communications officials in other USAID Missions, AID/Washington, the DOC team, and the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) in Kenya.
• In coordination with DOC and other technical offices, assess the impact and effectiveness of DGPS communications, especially in light of increasing promotion of mis-, dis-, and malinformation.
• Ensure all communications products for all program cycle planning and reporting, including Annual Reports, Portfolio Reviews, Congressional Budget Justifications, briefings, etc. are well written and presented on time.
• Write and/or edit briefing checklists (BCLs), speeches, talking points, blogs, success stories, press releases and other communications materials as needed by DGPS, USAID/KEA leadership, and the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, in support of DGPS programs and events.
• Support DGPS technical staff in developing external communication materials for Agency-wide publications such as the Impact Blog, Frontlines, case studies, success stories, and social media content, etc.
• Support US Embassy Nairobi and USAID/KEA’s efforts to counter mis/disinformation.

Outreach: (30%)

• In coordination with the DOC, establish a communications network with DGPS implementing partners (IPs) to advance communication protocols and practices. This initiative will include periodic meetings and trainings with IP communications staff to build capacity and share lessons learned.
• In coordination with respective Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representatives (A/CORs), establish a standard meeting regime between the DGPS leadership and Chiefs of Party (COP) for DGPS IPs to exchange information on program implementation, accomplishments, and challenges. This includes planning trips to the field and any associated logistics and administration.
• Support the DGPS leadership, and that of the Mission’s other technical offices, in advancing partnerships with Local Development Organizations to expand USAID’s relationship and development impact at the sub-national level in Kenya.
• Interface with the US Embassy, in particular the State Department PDS as needed to ensure cohesive messaging and strategic communications

Administrative: (10%)

• Establish and maintain a current database with all relevant communications contacts that are involved in the implementation of DGPS activities (e.g., spokespersons and programmatic focal points from IPs, USAID Missions in East Africa, AID/Washington, Embassy Nairobi agencies, other donors, etc.). Coordinate as necessary with USAID/KEA Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
• Establish and maintain a DGPS repository of publications, photos, factsheets and briefers and work with the DOC to ensure periodic publications are completed and submitted on time.
• Support the DGPS Office as required in routine administrative tasks such as: executive correspondence drafting and processing, planning and taking part in site visits and outreach events.
• As needed, serve as the alternate/backstop for MEL staff.

NOTE: The consultant will not perform other inherently governmental functions or duties (e.g. will not serve as AOR/COR or supervise staff), but rather will advise, mentor, and facilitate as appropriate on the performance of inherently governmental functions on the part of the Kenya Mission.

KEY DELIVERABLES: (SMART - tangible outcomes)

• DGPS strategic communications plan.
• Work with DGPS team and implementing partners to produce stories for publication and social media.
• Weekly reports on key DGPS activities and events for distribution to USAID and Embassy offices in Nairobi and Washington.
• Briefing checklists with talking points/remarks and presentations for events as required.
• Communications briefing/training for new and ongoing DGPS implementing partners
• Site visit trip planning and associated logistics and administration.
• Joint interagency communications materials in collaboration with PDS and other stakeholders

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• A minimum of seven years of experience directly involved in media, outreach, and communications in development partner and/or international donor contexts.
• The Communications and Outreach Officer will have professional-level knowledge applicable to a wide range of duties involving oral and written communication principles, practices, and techniques; basic research and analytical methods; and interpersonal relations.
• The incumbent will possess skill in applying such knowledge to explain development activities and devise new approaches and information materials aimed at improving the public’s understanding of Agency and Mission development priorities and programs.
• The incumbent will also be skilled in assessing public reactions and sentiment regarding various development interventions.
• The incumbent will also be knowledgeable of the various relationships that exist within the development community, such as: between the donor and host nation, other development and implementing partners.
• Prior experience in a position of similar complexity, ideally involving democratic governance and peacebuilding programs is preferred.
• The individual should have experience developing various communications means and products, and working with partner organizations.
• Strong writing, analytical, interpersonal, and coordinating skills are required.
• The candidate must have excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to liaise authoritatively with technical staff, representatives from the development sector, local media, local government, USG civil society, and other relevant organizations.
• The candidate must also have experience leading consultations with various teams, composed of diverse members from different perspectives, to construct effective communications plans and strategies.
• The candidate must be experienced in partner outreach initiatives and in coordinating activities across different development sectors/offices.

Education: Master’s degree or above in English, journalism, public administration, regional studies, international development, political or other social science and/or similar liberal arts is required.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with democratic governance, conflict mitigation, and peacebuilding development programming and experience working with USG, other international donors, and/or the United Nations system are preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work in a dynamic team environment with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to write in a collaborative process; ability to meet deadlines.
• Outstanding organizational and planning abilities.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development, strategic planning, and securing partnerships with specific focus on engaging the private sector.
• Experience with a diverse set of partners, such as civil society, foundation, bilateral donors, and other partners.
• Experience working and collaborating with U.S. government agencies and private sector organizations, including officials with international organizations, foreign and domestic government officials, and development partners.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other offices within USAID/Washington and USAID Missions in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Kenya, other U.S. government officials, other donors, partner government representatives, and implementing partners.
• Knowledge and skill to help advise other specialists in and outside the Agency, as well as top managers and decision-makers, on issues of developing, communicating, or enhancing program and youth matters involving interaction with all of the Agency’s publics.
• Knowledge of USG program design and implementation, budgeting, financial management, and performance reporting processes.
• Academic or practical knowledge of program monitoring and evaluation best practices and methodologies.
• Skill in working with quantitative results and budget information, research methods, and/or analyzing data.
• Knowledge of best practices regarding dissemination of key findings.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.