Macfadden
IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
To be considered for this position, you MUST submit the following:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Writing Sample, Per the Following Prompt: The writing sample must be an original brief summary (350 words or less) for a government official describing a humanitarian crisis / emergency situation and key impacts. The writing sample should be written in paragraph format and avoid use of bullets. You must include a word count at the conclusion of the memo.
Please combine your Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Sample into one PDF or Word document and submit it through the online application system when prompted to upload a CV.
Must be willing and able to serve on extended international deployments (up to 12 weeks or more at a time) to disaster zones, including conflict-affected areas and austere environments, often on short notice.
*Information Officers should expect to travel as much as 50 percent of the year.
USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) leads and coordinates the U.S. Government’s humanitarian assistance efforts overseas in response to natural disasters and protracted crises. The bureau also supports early recovery efforts that restore and protect basic systems and services and invests in risk reduction programs that prevent or reduce risks associated with chronic and recurrent hazards. Macfadden serves as an Institutional Support Contractor to USAID, where day-to-day work assignments and oversight are provided by BHA office directors, deputy office directors, or technical leads, with formal supervisory and evaluation functions performed by a Macfadden contract supervisor.
As an Information Officer, you will:
- Be a part of a regional team based in Washington, D.C., or serving on disaster response teams overseas, assigned to natural disasters, complex emergencies, and disease outbreaks, while also supporting longer-term activities that mitigate chronic humanitarian needs and food insecurity, monitoring and reporting on humanitarian conditions and response activities.
- Write and edit a wide range of public and internal information products, as well as develop charts, graphs, and other visuals as needed.
- Provide humanitarian information reporting support to USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA).
- Collect and synthesize information pertaining to humanitarian emergencies and response efforts, and draw upon that information to draft, edit, appropriately format, and disseminate a wide range of internal and external information products in Washington, D.C., and overseas; as well as lead on information products that reflect USAID/BHA’s resilience, risk reduction, and recovery work.
- Attend meetings in Washington, D.C., and in disaster zones and collaborate closely with information counterparts from other USG agencies, the UN, and non-governmental organizations to ensure that all relevant humanitarian information is obtained and communicated to USAID/BHA staff.
- Gather information for or participate in field assessments, meetings, and site visits overseas.
- Work with geographic information colleagues and graphic designers to develop analytic and visual information products that support humanitarian response and reporting.
- Prepare talking points, memos, PowerPoint presentations, official cables, and other correspondence.
- Assist with the preparation of agendas and briefings for USG officials interested in humanitarian issues.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government issued Secret security clearance and a U.S. Department of State medical clearance and maintain them for the duration of employment on this contract.
- Must be willing and able to serve on extended international deployments (up to 12 weeks or more at a time) to disaster zones, including conflict-affected areas and austere environments, often on short notice.
Education and Experience:
- Must have a Master’s degree, preferably in a related field (international affairs or relations, political science or government, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, public health, emergency management, public policy, humanities, etc.)*
- Requires a minimum of two years of full-time work experience.
*Individuals who anticipate receiving a Master’s degree in the coming months are encouraged to apply. Please indicate the anticipated date of completion of the Master’s degree in your resume.
Skills:
- Must possess excellent writing, editing, and verbal communications skills and have exceptional attention to detail.
- Must be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and have the ability to work under tight deadlines in an extremely fast-paced and collaborative environment.
- Requires the demonstrated ability to work well with others and meet deadlines in a challenging, fast-paced environment.
- Requires knowledge of, and interest in humanitarian issues.
- Foreign language ability and overseas work experience are beneficial to the position but not required.
**Only applications with a cover letter, resume, and writing sample will be considered; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that the interview process will involve a writing test and an editing test. Applicants are reviewed on a first come first served basis.**