Project/Proposal Summary:
MSI was awarded a three-year contract with USAID/Sudan on a project named SUPPORT (Services Under Program and Project Offices for Results Tracking), and tasked with the responsibility of executing functions normally associated with USAID’s Program and Communications offices. As a part of the SUPPORT project, MSI hiring technical and support staff, assisting USAID with logistics, and facilitating VIP visits. For more information on our Sudan project (Services Under Program and Project Offices for Results Tracking – SUPPORT) please follow this link: http://www.msiworldwide.com/index.cfm?msiweb=project&p_id=150
Position Summary: The Development Outreach and Communications Officer (DOC) for USAID South Sudan reports to the SUPPORT Chief of Party and to the USAID designate in Program Office, as an ICS. The DOC collaborates closely with all USAID technical teams, DOC counterparts in Washington, as well as implementing partners to design, develop and implement USAID’s communications and outreach strategy in South Sudan. The DOC collaborates with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Juba to ensure that USAID and State Department messaging are aligned and supportive of USG foreign policy objectives for South Sudan, and that the Embassy is fully apprised of USAID communications activities and projects. . The DOC will support USAID/South Sudan in the achievement of its objectives by producing and disseminating public information about the Mission’s activities, for South Sudanese and American target audiences, to increase understanding of, and support for, USAID programs. The DOC will manage the collection, production and distribution of information associated with the USAID assistance program in South Sudan.
Responsibilities: • Implement the Mission’s Communications and Outreach Strategy to increase host country and international external target audiences’ understanding of, and support for, USAID programs. • Work with communications representatives of Implementing Partners (IP) to ensure appropriate branding and marking of communications materials, products and events sponsored by USAID.
• Conduct USAID’s media relations with representatives of the host country and international media to encourage placement of positive stories in print, broadcast and on-line media. Write and place op-eds in local media.
• Prepare Front Office and staff for interviews and public appearances with talking points to deliver a clear and consistent message. • Monitor local and international press coverage, awareness and attitudes of USAID programs and monitor effectiveness of the communications strategy. Provide feedback to the Mission to inform ongoing activities and future programming. • In conjunction with the Embassy, USAID Program Office, technical teams and implementing partners, organize and coordinate press events for USAID projects, such as inaugurations, ribbon-cuttings, and completion of projects. Support includes: writing press releases, organizing background briefings for media, compiling and disseminating press packets and on-site coordination of media. Follow-up with media to ensure coverage of public events. • Assist in the preparation of briefing materials and scene setters for VIP visits. Participate in VIP activities as appropriate to document with still photographs and videos as well as to work with any media attending the activities. • Maintain a calendar of USAID program events in close coordination with USAID technical staff and implementing partners.
• Design, develop and disseminate outreach materials to promote USAID programs to target audience and media, including outreach folders and fact sheets, newsletters, brochures, website, photo essays, video for broadcast, print and on-line media.
• Work with technical teams to produce videos and stills showcasing success stories and impact of project on beneficiaries. Videos (mini-documentaries) will be used for broadcast in South Sudan as well as to showcase USAID South Sudan’s work via on-line media (YouTube, links on USAID South Sudan Facebook page, Flicker and Twitter).Monitor comments on all social media and in consultation with the Mission respond to any comments/questions. • Market and maintain current USAID/South Sudan website. • Produce weekly reports highlighting program developments and achievements. • Produce stories that focus on beneficiaries of USAID-funded programs. Develop, produce and disseminate success stories.
• Write articles and produce a monthly newsletter on activities in USAID South Sudan.
Qualifications: • Master’s degree in the field of public relations, communications or a related development area is preferred. • Prior experience on international development programs, particularly USAID funded, and in depth knowledge of development issues required. • Minimum of ten years of professional experience in public relations, or related field is required. Proven track record of producing and disseminating information to a variety of target audiences under tight timeframes is required. • The successful candidate must be capable of crafting messages in various media formats (press releases, websites, stories, etc.) targeting a variety of audiences. • Demonstrated coordination and organizational skills within multi-cultural work environment are required.
• Ability to manage several tasks simultaneously and to work effectively under pressure. Take initiative and be creative.
• Knowledge of USAID-funded communications is highly desirable. • Good written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal skills and understanding of print, TV and social media are required. • Knowledge of word processing and excel is required. • Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop and website development preferred. • Experience with social media including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Flicker is required.
Additional Considerations Regarding work in South Sudan:
• Position requires travel throughout South Sudan
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