Communications Director, USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program

BACKGROUND

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program is a five-year, flexible buy-in mechanism jointly managed by the USAID Africa Bureau, Middle East Bureau, and Africa Regional Missions. It was designed to mobilize enterprise-driven solutions that increase trade and investment in Africa, including North and Sub-Saharan Africa. It strengthens Africa’s markets by developing new trade and investment relationships, particularly between the United States and African continent. It also works to achieve development outcomes across all sectors.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Communications Director will lead the on-Continent ATI Communications team in designing and achieving all aspects of internal and external project communications. S/he will ensure the development of high-quality knowledge and learning content including data visualizations, success stories, case studies, and other reporting that informs learning activities and adaptive management decisions. S/he will also lead the promotion of project activities through key communication channels and will engage critical partners and communities of practice through strategic outreach and innovative communication practices.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure alignment of ATI’s strategic communications efforts with ATI’s programmatic goals.
• Collaborate with the Senior Communications Director to develop and execute the project’s overall communications strategy (internal and external)
• Lead capacity building of local counterparts to effectively communicate with communities and stakeholders
• Lead the preparation and presentation to USAID of reports and written communications on the progress and impact of program activities including Monthly Updates, Quarterly Progress Reports, Quarterly Financial Reports, Annual Reports, and the Final Report
• Build strong client relationships across USAID
• Oversee other project outreach through identified social media platforms and messaging services
• Work closely with Project staff to design project-specific communications and outreach strategies, including identification of strategic channels and key influencers, particularly those related to promotion of opportunities available under the Activity Fund, using MEL data, lessons learned and accomplishments to feed into impactful storytelling
• Contribute to the design and implementation of grant and subcontract activities specifically related to communication and outreach activities
• Ensure communication and branding of Project events and workshops
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of public information materials
• Coordinate press and other media outreach
• Lead and mentor ATI’s Nairobi-based communications team, building their capacity to achieve the project’s strategic communications goals
• Provide strategic communications advice to clients and staff and deliver high-quality communications products
• Other related duties as assigned by Senior Communications Director
• Travel to regional offices as required

REPORTING

• The Communications Director will report to the ATI Senior Communications Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and fluency in English
• University degree in relevant field and 11+ years of experience drafting reports, documents, and outreach materials and developing and implementing communications plans
• Experience in development communications on large, complex, multi-country USG-funded projects is highly preferred
• Demonstrated client management skills and an orientation toward relationship-building and trust
• Experience leading the planning and implementation of outreach and media events, including press conferences and project launches
• Ability to professionally communicate across all levels of an organization and with clients and the public
• Skilled in communication strategic thinking and planning
• Experience supervising teams including independent consultants

Preferred:

• French language skills