NAFASI YA KAZI USAID/TANZANIA - 7/5/2016

OPEN TO:      All Interested Candidates/ All sources

POSITION:      Development Program Specialist – Development Outreach and Communication 

OPENING DATE:    July 01, 2016

CLOSING DATE:    July 31, 2016

WORK HOURS:   Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR):  FSN- 10; (Step 1- TZS 49,443,118 through Step 13- 74,164,666 per annum)

 Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 5 (steps 5 through 14)*

*Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

The “Open To” category listed above refers to candidates who are eligible to apply for this position.  The “Open To” category should not be confused with a “hiring preference” which is explained later in this vacancy announcement. 

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Development Program Specialist – Development Outreach and Communication   at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

The Development Program Specialist – Development Outreach and Communication (DOC) responsible for advancing U.S. Government strategic communications objectives through targeted outreach to Tanzanian stakeholders. S/he will bring critical expertise to the USAID/Tanzania Mission and advise the DOC Team and Mission leadership on effective strategies for promoting USAID’s work among local audiences and opinion leaders, in addition to supporting broader USAID and interagency communications efforts in Tanzania and globally.

The Incumbent leads the DOC Team’s efforts to ensure that public-facing communications products and platforms geared toward Tanzanian audiences – including government officials, beneficiaries, media, partners, youth, and other key constituencies – advance local awareness of USAID/Tanzania’s country development strategy and programs and are grounded in a firm understanding of Tanzanian cultural and linguistic norms. S/he develops new communications tactics for reaching local stakeholders in support of the Mission’s overarching communications and outreach strategy and builds consensus on key development messages in-country by liaising with Tanzanian media, partners, and government officials as well as developing the capacity of local implementers to produce high-quality communications for Tanzanian audiences.

The Incumbent is the primary point of contact for communications content that is published and disseminated in Kiswahili and will translate publicity materials and other products as needed.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A.  Stratergic Communications: 40% of time 

The Incumbent is responsible for providing strategic communications recommendations and guidance to USAID/Tanzania on best practices for effectively and consistently reaching Tanzanian audiences with key messages on U.S. foreign assistance, the USAID/Tanzania country development strategy and development efforts in-country, contributing expertise to the USAID/Tanzania DOC Team as well as advising other Mission staff and leadership as needed. S/he directly shapes the planning and implementation of USAID/Tanzania’s messaging framework and communications and outreach strategy, developing and executing new communications approaches and tactics targeted toward local stakeholders. The Incumbent coordinates with USAID/Tanzania staff, including the Program Office and technical teams, in order to familiarize him/herself with USAID’s activities in-country and ensure public-facing communications are consistent with the Mission development strategy. S/he also supports coordination with USAID counterparts in Washington as well as the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office and other interagency partners to advance the U.S. Government’s broader communications objectives in Tanzania and around the world.

1. Publicity Materials: The Specialist is responsible for developing and supporting production of key USAID outreach materials for Tanzanian audiences, including but not limited to speeches, press releases, media materials, articles, event pamphlets, fact sheets, brochures, banners, success stories, infographics, and audiovisual media. This may include creating original content (particularly in Kiswahili), and developing publicity campaigns and other strategies for dissemination of key messages, reviewing and editing materials from partners, and/or obtaining results through contractors in the production of outsourced materials. As the lead point of contact for host-country-facing communications, the Specialist provides quality control on all print and electronic public information materials published in Kiswahili, including approval requests for products created by implementing partners, to ensure adherence to marking and branding requirements, high-quality content, and production value. The Specialist makes recommendations to the DOC Team, Mission, and interagency partners on how best to operationalize publicity materials and other communications tools to reach Tanzanian audiences and increase visibility and awareness of U.S. foreign assistance programs.
2. Communications Platforms: The Specialist advises the DOC Team and Mission on untapped Tanzanian communications channels and familiarizes him/herself with existing outlets utilized by the DOC Team to promote USAID/Tanzania and its country development strategy and program, and to disseminate key messages and resources, including digital platforms such as USAID’s internal and external websites and social media accounts, and traditional media such as local print and broadcast press. S/he has primary responsibility for managing day-to-day activity on USAID/Tanzania’s Facebook page, creating and posting content in both English and Kiswahili, engaging with and sharing content from other partners, and responding to messages and questions submitted through Facebook. The Specialist advises the DOC Team on how to effectively leverage digital and traditional communications platforms to elevate USAID’s profile among key Tanzanian audiences, particularly youth, and will have primary oversight of the Mission’s web- and social media-based efforts to increase awareness of USAID’s activities among the Tanzanian public. S/he monitors social media analytics to inform continuous improvement of USAID/Tanzania’s digital communications over time

 B. Outreach and Engament: 40% of time

 The Incumbent is responsible for building and strengthening USAID/Tanzania’s strategic communications network and advancing USAID’s status as a thought leader and influencer among local communications counterparts. S/he represents USAID in meetings with Government of Tanzania officials, the local development community, and members of local media in order to build consensus around key development messages and support host-country efforts to articulate and disseminate Tanzania’s vision of and progress toward achieving middle-income status. S/he contributes local expertise in the planning and execution of U.S. Government-supported high-level events and visits to Tanzania requiring communications support.

1. Development Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement: The Specialist serves as a key communications liaison between USAID/Tanzania and development stakeholder groups, including but not limited to host-country officials, implementing partners, civil society groups, donor organizations, multilateral institutions, and private sector partners. S/he provides guidance, training, and resources to local partners who implement or support USAID programs, increasing their capacity to produce high-quality, memorable communications that resonate with Tanzanian audiences. The Specialist plays a key role within the DOC Team in building and leading a vibrant community of practice among implementing partners that regularly convenes and develops consistent, coordinated messaging and products on USAID programs in Tanzania. S/he is also responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships with local opinion leaders who may have a mutual interest in elevating and amplifying USAID/Tanzania’s communications efforts around development.
2. Media Relations: The Specialist is the DOC Team’s primary point of contact for local press engagement, liaising and working closely with the U.S. Embassy’s Press Office to generate and expand opportunities for press coverage of USAID activities in Tanzania. Press engagement may include facilitating interviews, press conferences, and briefings with USAID staff, as well as arranging media tours of USAID activities. As appropriate, the Specialist fields questions from host-country journalists. The Specialist maintains familiarity with USAID/Tanzania’s programmatic milestones and impact on beneficiaries in order to identify opportunities for press coverage; tracks media coverage of USAID activities in Tanzania and ensures that coverage is accurate; and advises Mission staff and leadership on Tanzanian media trends and cultural/political nuances in journalism The Specialist also assists USAID’s technical offices and partners in determining appropriate opportunities for press coverage, participates in field visits to assess newsworthiness, and accompanies reporters and other members of local media to press interviews and site locations as needed.
3. Public Events and Visitors: The Specialist supports the DOC Team in planning and executing USAID- and U.S. Government-sponsored fora that present Mission programs to the public, partners, and VIP visitors. This may include coordinating logistics (in some cases overseeing contracts with external vendors such as event management firms, photographers, etc.), preparing briefing materials, writing or editing talking points in Kiswahili, creating or reviewing event signage and materials, advancing site visits, troubleshooting during events and visits, and otherwise facilitating opportunities for high-level officials to learn about and/or highlight key USAID activities in Tanzania. The Specialist helps ensure that events and site visits involving the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and/or USAID Front Office are planned and executed in a timely and professional manner and that all event information materials (e.g. scene setters and speeches) meet deadlines and quality standards. In addition, the Specialist consults with technical offices and local partners on routine events such as signing ceremonies, project close-outs, and pillar day activities, advising on logistics and publicity elements including press releases and media coverage. The Specialist may be called upon to take photos during events and field visits and shares responsibility for procuring and maintaining the safety and security of professional-grade cameras and other assets, equipment, and software related to publicity.

C. Translation and Interpretation: 20% of time

The Incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all Kiswahili materials produced and disseminated by the Mission are written accurately and in an accessible, meaningful way that is of broad interest to the Tanzanian public, including audiences who have limited technical knowledge or familiarity with development. S/he ensures that translation of locally-focused communication products retain an emphasis on human-centered storytelling and distill complex concepts and technical information into understandable, meaningful messages that are appropriate for and aligned with Tanzanian cultural norms, advising on regional variances in language and customs where appropriate.

1. Translation: The Specialist routinely translates Mission-produced English-language materials – including but not limited to speeches, press releases, brochures, reports, success stories, articles, fact sheets, event pamphlets, website content, and social media content – into Kiswahili. S/he also oversees and reviews all English-to-Kiswahili communications materials from partners and manages contracted translation service providers to ensure quality and timeliness of translated products, in both cases editing and/or rewriting content as needed. In conjunction with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office, the Specialist may monitor and translate Kiswahili-language media coverage of USAID activities, including print news, radio, television, and blogs.

Interpretation: The Specialist will occasionally be required to provide ad hoc interpretation services to U.S. Government senior staff such as the Ambassador or USAID Mission Director, as well as to VIP visitors during events and site visits where formal services may not be available. When engaging with the media, the Specialist will at times translate USAID and other U.S. Government officials’ responses into Kiswahili                                                                        

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified. USAID is willing to accept applicants with fewer than the required minimum number of years of experience but meeting the minimum educational requirements. These applicants may be considered for the position as trainees and begin at one grade lower. Attainment of the higher grade level is contingent upon the selected candidate successfully completing the years of experience to reach the fully qualified level, in addition to meeting agreed-upon objectives and milestones, and performing in a fully successful manner.   

a.      Education:

A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, English, International Relations or a related field is required. A Master’s degree is required.

b.      Experience:

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or journalism in an English-language work environment is required. This experience should demonstrate strong writing and editing skills as well as a clear understanding of how to develop and disseminate complex information to a variety of target audiences. Experience translating communications content related to development from English to Kiswahili is required. Previous work with the U.S. Government or another international development organization is preferred, but not required.

c.      Language: 

Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili (writing, reading and speaking) is required. (This  will be tested)

d.      Skills and Abilities: 

Strong computer skills, including the use of Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and Power Point), are required.

e.      Job Knowledge:

The Specialist must possess a thorough knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communication and good storytelling, and be able to apply such knowledge in the development and dissemination of content through a variety of media. S/he must have experience in the analysis and interpretation of data and the presentation of findings in written or oral form, and know how to determine and effectively use the most appropriate means for transmitting information and to evaluate the effectiveness of plans developed to communicate with targeted audiences is required

SELECTION PROCESS: When qualified, applicants who are U.S. Citizen Eligible family Members (USEFMs) and/or preference-eligible U.S. Veterans are given a preference in hiring.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants make themselves known as having a hiring preference and specially address the required applications above in their application.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

1. USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
2.  USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
3.  FS on LWOP

* IMPORTANT:  Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.  If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process.  Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
4. The candidate must be able to obtain the local security certification.

HOW TO APPLY:

Effective immediately only online applications will be accepted via usaidtzlesapps@usaid.gov

When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.

IMPORTANT: Applicants MUST submit the following documents to be considered:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form Ds-174), which is available on our website.
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Passport, or, National ID, or Resident/Work Permit. 
4. One sample of an English-to-Kiswahili translation and one sample of a Kiswahili-to-English translation. Each sample should be accompanied by a description of the purpose of the sample, the target audience, where it was published or disseminated, and who commissioned the translation.

Applicants MUST follow instructions in the notice on the website. 

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.