Job Description
Statement of Duties to be Performed
a. Produce Quality Communications and Information Products (50%)
- The Specialist will serve as the key person for the development of communications products and materials for the Regional Peace and Governance Office (RPGO).
- The Specialist is expected to produce high-quality communications and information materials in both English and French on an ongoing basis.
- S/he will develop communication materials for outreach and advocacy using programs and/or other data and will prepare RPGO activity-related information for reports to meet USAID and broader USG reporting requirements.
- Reporting requirements include Operational Plans, Performance Reports, Congressional Budget justifications, Mission Resource Plans, human rights reports, trafficking reports, reports on gender and people with disabilities issues, and other priority issues as requested by RPGO, USAID country offices, Africa Bureau, and other USG branches.
- The Specialist will develop and compose briefing materials and presentations, proposed speeches on project activities, brochures, booklets, handouts, videos, signs, and other information on an as-needed basis.
- S/he will review RPGO program communications products to evaluate quality, compliance with branding and marking, propriety in terms of sensitivity to local culture, and accuracy of content, and write updates on RPGO activities in focus countries.
- The Specialist will develop, in collaboration with the RPGO team and the Mission’s Development Outreach and Communications Specialists (DOCs), communication materials and infographics on RPGO programming in the region and data trends for relevant RPGO program areas.
- S/he will be responsible for editing, publishing, and disseminating the RPGO’s newsletter and other periodic communication products.
- The Specialist will assist the technical staff in preparing, editing, and finalizing internal and external documents related to USG and USAID policy, strategies, planning, and evaluation.
- S/he will assist RPGO’s technical staff in finalizing versions of documents for programs, evaluations, case studies, and scopes of work, as well as telling USAID’s story to a variety of USAID, State, and public audiences.
- S/he will collaborate with the Mission’s DOCs to produce public information about the Mission’s RPGO activities for host country populations and ensure that quality information is produced for consumption by Washington counterparts and the American public.
b. Communications, Outreach Planning, and Information Dissemination (30%)
- The Specialist is integral to the regional and bilateral strategic communications of RPGO programs, program coordination, development of communications products, report writing, and management of related information and communications resources.
- S/he will work closely with the RPGO team in Accra to manage external and internal communications and promote RPGO activities to diverse audiences.
- The Specialist will promote a positive image and support the dissemination of information on behalf of RPGO.
- Communication efforts will include outreach to ensure awareness of RPGO project activities and facilitate information access and sharing to strengthen reporting functions.
- The Specialist will lead the development and implementation of an overall RPGO communications strategy that explains strategic and programmatic information to internal and external audiences in a comprehensible manner.
- The job holder will develop timely, high-quality communication products reflective of and consistent with USG priorities and USAID’s foreign assistance goals across West Africa.
- S/he will contribute to RPGO’s communications and outreach approach through liaising with USAID Operating Units, U.S. Embassy counterparts, and implementing partners.
- The Specialist’s responsibilities may include developing templates for various communication tools, standards for creating and finalizing materials, and planning and managing events for RPGO.
- The Specialist prepares weekly, quarterly, and annual updates and develops plans in coordination with RPGO program managers and other technical teams.
- S/he will work with USAID RPGO and USAID West Africa Development and Communications teams to provide quality control on all print and electronic public information materials, such as the external website, organizational brochures, and information packets.
- S/he will collaborate with RPGO to create and implement a strategic and results-oriented communication plan, providing thought leadership and innovative outreach for stakeholders and target beneficiaries.
- The Specialist will provide translation services during events in English and French, if not provided by implementing partners.
c. Provide Administrative and Technical Support for RPGO’s Learning and Adapting Efforts (20%)
- The Specialist will support the implementation of a learning agenda for RPGO, ensuring that RPGO learns from its activities and stakeholder experiences, conducts and disseminates relevant research, and convenes stakeholders to exchange knowledge, challenges, and best practices.
- S/he will propose and coordinate innovative ways to manage knowledge and use gathered information to inform decision-making and program development strategically.
- The Specialist will ensure appropriate knowledge management systems or platforms are maintained for RPGO, such as shared folders, websites, and other tools.
- These systems will provide updated and expanded technical knowledge to RPGO staff, implementing partners, and West African development actors.
- S/he will plan and support learning events such as workshops and conferences for diverse groups of stakeholders and prepare RPGO’s contribution to Mission-wide Portfolio Reviews.
- The Specialist will enable program adaptation through working with AORs/CORs to identify programmatic issues or opportunities to communicate and increase RPGO program visibility.
- S/he will organize communications and other events with key stakeholders and facilitate the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to strengthen RPGO’s programmatic coordination, learning, and adapting functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
a. Education
- A Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or other related social science fields is required. Extensive relevant professional experience can substitute for degrees in other fields.
b. Prior Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of professional experience in public relations, communications, and/or journalism.
- Demonstrated work experience in developing communications products, including speeches, press releases, newsletters, and other materials.
- A minimum of three years of experience with an international development organization.
c. Language Proficiency
- Fluency and proficiency in French (Level III) and English (Level IV) for oral and written communication. Candidates will be tested during interviews to establish proficiency in both languages.
CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 4, 2024. 11:59 p.m. Accra time
