Communications Specialist

Pact, Inc. seeks a Communications Specialist for the USAID/Mali-funded Basiki ni Tagne Kunafoni Activity*.* This two-year, information integrity project aims to enhance publicly available content that provides timely, relevant, and accurate information to Malian citizens through data-driven approaches that promote media literacy, mitigate harm from inaccurate information, and optimize the reach of quality information.

The Communications Specialist is responsible for overall communication and knowledge management related to the project. The successful candidate will support the production and dissemination of social media content, interacting via social media with media networks and other social media-based influencers. Providing cross-cutting support for the team, the successful candidate will ensure that all communications requirements set by the donor and Pact are fulfilled completely.

This role is in Bamako, Mali and will report to the Chief of Party.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Communications Management:

• Assist in the coordination, facilitation, and development of program reports, specifically the quarterly and annual reports to USAID.
• Work with the technical team to identify and prepare the program Communications Standard Operating Procedures; brief all Mali team and consortium partners on SoP implementation.
• Develop and/or update other relevant communications materials for the program.
• Serve as liaison with Pact’s Integrated Communications team in Washington, DC.
• Support staff with developing presentations, videos, and audio materials where necessary.

Writing and Copy – Editing:

• Write and edit sections of the program’s quarterly and annual reports for USAID, as well as other documents for external audiences.
• Organize, support production of, and edit, success stories.
• Write feature stories or blogs for publication and/or posting on websites and social media.
• Support the procurement team to select translators as needed and monitor translated deliverables for quality.

External Communications Management:

• Coordinate messaging content with USAID and across partners and subgrantees and communicate about and recruit for activities via social media while ensuring local language use for relevance to local communities, the donor and other program partners.
• Work with team to develop materials and messages that demonstrate program progress and achievement, tracking and telling the story with program data, including factors critical to success and/or areas needing improvement.
• Synthesize and disseminate the findings of research activities for wider audiences.
• Engage and work with partners on media relations, story writing, etc.
• Support program management to disseminate regular updates to key external stakeholders, including USAID.

Other

• Track relevant policy advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns to support and inform the Activity operations and stakeholder collaboration.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures, including completing all compliance training topics by the deadline to satisfy each and receiving the corresponding acknowledgment statement that the training has been completed.
• Enhance conflict sensitivity in reporting and messaging**.**
• Enhance compliance with reporting ethics, including consent for photographs, interviews, etc.
• Exhibit Pact’s core values of integrity, inclusion, and respect in all aspects of their role.
• All other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years or Master’s plus 3 years’ relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and French.
• Experience supporting the communications function of international development projects, such as those funded by USAID.
• Experience supporting projects addressing sensitive issues in a communications role.
• Experience developing social media campaigns and strategies, working with online influencers.
• Bambara language skills are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability working with government agencies and departments, and civil society.
• Knowledge of and experience with key democracy, human rights, governance programming in Mali is a strong advantage, as is experience building the capacity of civil society organizations.
• Collaborative spirit in working with teammates and partners; commitment to engaging stakeholders in accordance to conflict sensitive approaches, Do No Harm (DNH) principles and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to partner successfully with teams within the Africa region and globally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Mali.
• Must be Malian national with eligibility to work in Mali
• Knowledge of and experience with USAID’s collaborating, adapting, and learning (CLA) approaches.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.
At Pact, we recognize your impact, offer you opportunities and support your total well-being. Our comprehensive benefit offerings may include healthcare, retirement (8.8% to 13% based on service tenure) and savings plans, paid time off, disability and life insurance programs, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections .
With the continuing impacts of COVID-19 around the world, we are taking action to protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and maintain the safety of the communities where we operate. Pact seeks an environment free from COVID-19 and prefers all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Attestation of vaccination status will be required for employment with Pact. Unvaccinated employees may be subject to additional health and safety requirements to include any federal, state and/or client restrictions.