Communications and Outreach Specialist

About Us

We are International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a global consulting firm working some of the most complex and impactful development problems worldwide. We work on programs that help government agencies, private companies and donors improve the lives of others. At IBTCI you will be part of an inclusive team that provides expert solutions and advice to understand and address critical problems while giving you opportunities to succeed and grow.

Assignment Title: Haiti Communications and Outreach Specialist (USAID)

Department/Location: Institutional Support & Program Implementation (ISPI)

Technical Point of Contact: USAID Point of Contact

Type: Consultant

Period of Performance: 130 work days

Security Clearance: Facility Access

Work: Virtual/remote work from the US

Overview: The Communications and Outreach Specialist assists the Embassy Office of Public Affairs (PAO), USAID/Haiti, and partners to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of USAID and USG humanitarian and development assistance efforts and initiatives.

Responsibilities

Primary Functions, Tasks and Deliverables

USG Coordination:

• Coordinates with USAID/Haiti staff on the development, design, and implementation of a communications and outreach strategy to increase understanding of, and support for, USAID/Haiti programs to external target audiences.
• Supports all development outreach and communications-related contracts for the implementation of the strategy – including the oversight and execution of the approved outreach campaigns.
• Produces media-savvy clips and campaign slogans to ensure target audience awareness of programs/projects/activities funded by USAID/Haiti throughout the country.
• Provides USAID/Washington and the Embassy with information on programs.
• Advises Mission management and other USAID/Haiti staff on press and media relations best practices.
• Ensures a broadcasted, targeted, coherent, and consistent message comes from all USAID/Haiti staff and IPs.

Development Outreach and Media Activities:

• The Communications and Outreach Specialist provides support in the preparation and maintenance of information packages on the USAID and USG programs in Haiti – with standard basic packages for differing purposes (media, the public, educational institutions, the Government of Haiti and district and local level governments, etc.), for briefings and for distribution to the public and the media; and, for USAID/Washington, the US Embassy, etc.
• The Communications and Outreach Specialist coordinates the preparation of press releases on program successes, project inaugurations, and significant developments, and provides drafts to the PAO for dissemination, as appropriate; follows up with media to encourage and support coverage of public events; works with staff from throughout the Mission to develop and maintain public relations materials, to the extent possible in English, French and Creole, including fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, presentations, websites, and other visual displays on USAID programs/projects/activities and their objectives.
• Distributes reports on field trips and assessments conducted by USAID staff.
• The Communications and Outreach Specialist will provide advice and/or input on all matters pertaining to Development Outreach and Communication activities with the Government of Haiti, other donors, the UN, domestic and international media, and other groups and institutions; and, as appropriate, provide guidance on how to assists the Government of Haiti to build their capacity to manage public affairs and outreach activities.
• The Communications and Outreach Specialist will serve as a creative agent for dissemination of important information through Government of Haiti intermediaries.

Press and Media Coordination:

• The Communications and Outreach Specialist monitors local and international press coverage for awareness of, and attitudes toward, USAID/Haiti and USG programs/projects/activities; provides feedback to inform USAID staff on ongoing activities and future programming.
• Serves as lead advisor for USAID/Haiti in contacting representatives of local and international media in Haiti, in order to promote story ideas and feature stories on USAID programs/projects; organizes media tours and facilitates contacts among members of the media and USAID/Haiti IPs, in order to encourage in-depth coverage of USAID/Haiti programs/projects/activities in the local and international media.
• Organizes and coordinates press events for USAID/Haiti programs/projects/activities, such as inaugurations, ribbon-cuttings, and project completions, including writing press releases, organizing background briefings for the media, compiling and disseminating press packets, dealing with protocol issues, site selection, staging and logistical issues, identifying and scheduling speakers, providing liaison with US and local government officials, and on-site coordination of media.
• Assists the media to ensure coverage of public events. The Communications and Outreach Specialist may respond to general inquiries from the public and media about USAID/Haiti and USG programs/projects/activities, practices, and other general information requests in coordination with USAID/Haiti and maintains an archive of USAID press and media exposure articles for analysis and historical documentation, in an easily accessible database.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in public relations is required, at least one of which is with a U.S. government entity funding international development or economic assistance, or a private organization in this field funded by the U.S. government.
• Proven experience in disseminating information to a variety of target audiences is required, as is demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing effective public relations/communications campaigns directed at both closely targeted audiences and the general public.
• The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to craft information messages in various media formats (press releases, websites, stories, etc.), and targeting a variety of audiences.
• Candidates will demonstrate outstanding coordination and organizational skills within multicultural work environments; the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and to work effectively under pressure; and, have demonstrated initiative and creativity.
• Candidates will be expected to show past experience in performing successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and daily direction.
• The candidate will be expected to demonstrate a strong sense of initiative in media campaigns, special programs, press conferences, etc.
• The candidate will be native English speaker, with a high level of written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a closely knit team environment.
• The candidate will be expected to have superb computer skills and the ability to work in all Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• In addition, the candidate must be comfortable using desktop publishing software, one or more website development applications, and Adobe Photoshop.

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree is required, preferably in a field related to communications or public relations.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Experience in disseminating information on USAID programs/projects/activities is desirable.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office environment. IBTCI is allowing for temporary remote work because of COVID 19 in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area. This will be updated by the company.

Travel: International travel may be required.

Work Authorization: Authorization to work in the U.S.A is required. Ability to obtain USAID Facility Access is required.

About the Organization:

IBTCI has been in business since 1987. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL), Institutional Support (IS), Financial & Risk Management (FRM), Supply Chain Management & Procurement (SCMP); Social & Behavior Change (SBC) and Capacity Building. We provide these services across many sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, resilience & food security, conflict & crisis, democracy & governance, economic growth & trade, education, energy & Infrastructure, environment & climate change, global health & WASH and humanitarian and disaster assistance. At IBTCI, our colleagues are encouraged to collaborate and be part of the solution while getting the tools and guidance needed to grow and support our clients’ missions.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws. We prohibit and do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability, or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected] (Do not send your resume to this account, for consideration please apply in our career page).