USAID
Overview
Global Health Technical Professionals (GHTP) is a US Agency for International Development (USAID) program that offers early- to mid-career global health professionals the opportunity to advance their careers supporting the USAID Bureau for Global Health and its implementing partners. GHTP is helping USAID improve global health outcomes in communities around the world by building a new generation of global health technical professionals who reflect the diversity of the American people.
Credence Management Solutions, LLC (Credence) is seeking Strategic Communications Specialist within USAID’s Bureau for Global Health, Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN).
Summary Statement
USAID’s Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition, within the Bureau for Global Health (GH/MCHN), works on behalf of the U.S. Government to ensure that mothers and children around the world have access to quality basic health care and nutritious foods. MCHN is at the forefront of USAID’s efforts to save women and children. MCHN comprises four divisions: Maternal and Newborn Health, Child Health and Immunization, Nutrition and Environmental Health, and Research and Policy. The Office focuses on 25 priority countries around the world. MCHN provides overarching policy direction and works closely with USAID Missions to guide USAID’s annual investments in maternal and child health and nutrition.
The Strategic Communications Specialist is an integral part of the MCHN Communications Team and works under the technical guidance of the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor to articulate and implement communication and outreach priorities for MCHN. Team responsibilities include executing strategic internal and external communications for MCHN, overseeing the development, publication and distribution of new materials; responding to requests for information from a variety of stakeholders; supporting the MCHN front office with communications and public affairs needs; conducting wide-ranging social media campaigns, and assisting with special in-person and online events planning.
The Strategic Communications Specialist plays a technical advisor role on strategic print and digital communications for the Office’s maternal and newborn health and child health and immunization portfolios. They will bring new ideas for successful communications campaigns that include the use of digital media and print publications and will help increase and improve the way in which MCHN tells its story. They must also gain a clear understanding of the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor role and be prepared to serve as a backstop in their absence. The position requires maintaining a working knowledge of the Agency’s priorities, policies, and programs focused on preventing maternal and child deaths, responding to COVID-19, and achieving broader health and development outcomes, often working in collaboration with USAID Missions and other Bureaus, implementing partners, and projects.
Job Requirements
The Strategic Communications Specialist primarily provides technical assistance to USAID Washington Bureaus and USAID Missions to support efforts to prevent maternal and child deaths through communications, knowledge translation, and capacity-building efforts. The position strategically supports digital communications and knowledge translation activities–providing guidance, training, and other forms of assistance–to activities implemented by Washington-funded projects and MCHN Missions in partner countries. In particular, the position will support communications related to the USAID MOMENTUM project suite, ensuring alignment with Agency priorities, messaging, and branding guidelines. In addition to communications and knowledge translation, key skills and abilities are required in digital/social media, organization, and knowledge management.
The Specialist will work closely with MCHN advocates, implementing partners, and other relevant project staff to maintain and elevate visibility for USAID MCHN’s work, engaging with several communications working groups. The position also supports and advises USAID leadership on strategic involvement in global and national partnerships as they relate to communications, especially for the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Global Polio Eradication Initiative; Every Breath Counts Coalition; UNICEF; and others. They actively seek new, strategic platforms and events to increase the visibility of USAID’s MCHN and cross-cutting work and develop communications campaigns and materials to share at such opportunities.
On behalf of the MCHN Office, the Specialist collaborates with other USAID Bureaus and Offices to accomplish Agency objectives via strategic communications, digital engagement, and knowledge translation, including cohesive messaging on USAID’s MCHN work, policy and strategic development, knowledge sharing, and program and project planning. As part of the wider Global Health Communications Team, the position will work closely with other GH, Bureau, and LPA communicators to tell a consistent, cohesive story about USAID’s global health and development work and respond to external and internal inquiries, taskers, and briefers. In particular, the Specialist will be responsible for providing technical guidance and creative ideas on digital strategies and platforms, coordinating with the GH Bureau Digital Engagement Working Group and providing day-to-day digital media guidance to MCHN staff and the MCHN Communications Intern.
Responsibilities
- Advance strategic internal and external communications on MCHN topics, backstopping the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor when needed.
- Provide technical support on strategic communications for maternal and newborn health and child health and immunization, and contribute to strategic communications for other cross-cutting global health and development topics as requested by the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor or Office Director.
- Backstop the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor as required in their absence by supporting high-level policy communications requests from the MCHN Front Office and Division Chiefs.
- Assist the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor to guide the MCHN Office’s annual communications work plan and monitor the budget with the Deputy Office Director, including buy-ins for 1-2 support mechanisms for maternal and child health.
- Support the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor in the planning, production, and publication of USAID’s annual Acting on the Call report, including associated digital campaigns, events, and other collateral.
- Prepare success stories, social media, correspondence/briefers/talking points, videos, reports, concept/position papers, blogs, and other strategic communications pieces related to MCHN, including for relevant campaigns and global advocacy days.
- Provide strategic communications, digital media, and knowledge translation technical guidance to the MCHN communications intern, program assistants/analysts, and/or other staff as needed.
- Build and strengthen effective working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders critical to successful communications and outreach efforts.
- Collaborate with strategic communications experts across the Bureau for Global Health, regional bureaus, other B/IOs, and Legislative and Public Affairs to share cohesive messaging internally and externally on USAID’s work to prevent maternal and child deaths, and to strategically elevate USAID’s global health and development work with external groups.
- Liaise with Legislative and Public Affairs for press inquiries, Agency front office needs and priorities, and to ensure MCHN content is shared through Agency handles.
- Maintain a close working relationship with PCMD advocates and partners to elevate visibility for USAID’s MCHN work.
- Provide technical assistance for branding and messaging consistency to MCHN project staff and partners, as requested; and coordinate the MCHN Communications Working Group quarterly meetings with implementing partners.
- Serve as the digital media focal point for the MCHN Communication Team and as the MCHN liaison on the GH-wide digital engagement working group.
- Coordinate the development and dissemination of regular newsletters and digital postcards to share program updates, highlight success stories, and elevate USAID’s MCHN investments with 100k subscribers from the international development community.
- Oversee and prepare content for various digital platforms such as updates to MCHN webpages, success stories, and photo blogs for usaid.gov. This includes ensuring all required clearances are obtained prior to posting.
- Develop an Office social media strategy and schedule approved content for Facebook and Twitter using Global Health Bureau’s social media accounts to ensure regular promotion of key messages and successes from the MCHN portfolio.
- Create social media toolkits and other digital campaigns around global advocacy days, high-level convenings, new project launches, and publication unveilings. Coordinate with external contractors on complex creative projects for social media, as needed.
- Use data and analytics to measure and report on digital communication activities and results. Pitch new ideas on digital media tactics to the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor for MCHN using data-driven insights.
- Provide guidance and training to others on new and emerging trends and best practices, as part of the GH-wide digital engagement working group.
- Support USAID’s engagement in high-level convenings and events, including international conferences and local Congressional events.
- Identify and plug opportunities for MCHN’s work to be strategically included in high-level events and shared by key stakeholders at national, regional, and global fora. Provides coordination support with vendors/service providers for events and programs.
- Prepare speeches, talking points, briefers, press releases, and pitches for events.
- Develop event-specific traditional and digital media strategies and coordinate the production of event-related collateral
- Contribute to internal communication quality control and knowledge management processes.
- With the Senior Strategic Communications Advisor, review major presentations, external materials, and project branding and marking plans for compliance with Agency branding guidelines.
- Maintain, update, and devise new knowledge management systems, processes, and guides for managing communications and external outreach requests, content, and assets.
- As part of the communications team, assist with keeping all existing communications resources up to date, including topline messaging, talking points, fact sheets, stories, and publication materials.
- Demonstrate a commitment to learning and development.
- Participate in professional continuing education, skills training, and professional meetings to enhance relevant technical skills and career development.
- Complete and execute an Individual Learning and Training Plan and Annual Work Plan.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and seven years relevant experience or Master’s degree and five years of relevant experience in public health, community development, public policy, strategic communications, and knowledge translation, and/or a related discipline. Volunteer and internship experiences involving technical work relevant to the position will be considered as part of experience.
- At least 5 years of professional experience with two or more global health and development technical disciplines such as: maternal and newborn health, child health, family planning and reproductive health, or immunization etc.; job duties/responsibilities generally related to position description requirements.
- Experience with global health and development programming as well as communications, digital engagement, and knowledge management.
- Experience in international or resource-challenged settings.
- Hands-on experience designing, planning, implementing and evaluating communication campaigns, and/or knowledge management platforms/hubs.
- Experience developing various web/print/social media or organizing events.
- Familiarity with USG policies and procedures; experience working with USAID or other donor-funded programs preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively staying within a timeframe in diverse contexts, and as part of interdisciplinary teams.
- Excellent analytical, visual, written, and oral communication skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical public health materials.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from senior staff, political appointees, media, and the general public.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams.
- Ability to travel internationally and domestically approximately up to 25%.
- US citizenship or US permanent residency with the ability to obtain and maintain Facility Access clearance required.
Prior to submitting your application, please ensure that all relevant experience and education is documented on your resume. There is no limitation to resume length; updates to resumes will not be accepted during the interview and selection process.