Senior Communications Specialist

BACKGROUND

DAI implements the $90 million USAID-funded Digital Frontiers project, which works closely with USAID’s Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub, USAID Missions, the private sector, and international and local development organizations to identify successful and sustainable digital development approaches and scale their impact globally.

Some of our core workstreams include empowering women through digital connectivity, promoting the efficient and effective use of digital tools and technologies in agriculture, building cyber awareness and combating disinformation, and helping USAID Missions and Operating Units implement USAID’s first-ever Digital Strategy.

OVERVIEW

DAI seeks a Senior Communications Specialist for a long-term position to provide strategic communications support and bolster the thought leadership goals of the Digital Frontiers project.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage communications requests and be the primary communications point of contact for a select portfolio of activities on Digital Frontiers. This will include working closely with project managers to identify and resource needs, acting as a thought partner in strategic communications planning, providing writing support, and helping maintain positive client relationships.
• Provide general writing support to the Digital Frontiers team. This includes drafting communications collateral such as blogs, press releases, communications plans, social media toolkits, website content, talking points, and factsheets.
• Manage one or more subawards providing communications support to the project. This includes serving as the subcontractor’s primary liaison, reviewing deliverables, coordinating with the project team, approving invoices, and ensuring they adhere to their workplan.
• Help the project analyze activity results and produce knowledge products showcasing Digital Frontiers’ thought leadership and contribution to the innovative use of digital technology in several areas, including digital inclusion/gender, connectivity, digital literacy, digital agriculture, and digital financial services.
• Liaise with other communications staff on the project, communications POCs at USAID, and other teams on Digital Frontiers, in particular the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Team.
• Provide additional project management support to activities as needed. This could include supporting recruitment and procurement processes and overseeing the work of technical communications consultants.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred
• At least 5 years’ experience providing communications support to nonprofit or public sector organizations.
• Excellent writing skills with prior experience writing blogs, articles, press releases, and other similar communications collateral.
• Prior experience working with USAID, the U.S. government, or implementing partners strongly preferred.
• Experience working in digital development and/or international development.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to take initiative.
• Attention to detail and ability to balance competing priorities.
• Willingness to travel if needed.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States; DAI is unable to sponsor visas.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND LOCATION

• Period of Performance: Date of hire – September 2023 (with a possible extension)
• Location: Ideally, the hire will be based in Washington DC. Open to a remote arrangement, ET working hours expected.