*This vacancy is open to U.S. nationals and third country nationals only, as defined below.

• U.S. nationals (USN) means an individual who is a U.S. citizen or a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
• Third country national (TCN) means an individual who is neither a Malagasy citizen nor a USN but is a citizen or lawful permanent resident (or equivalent immigration status) of any country other than the countries which are prohibited sources.

To apply, please download the full solicitation attached and follow the instructions.

The Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Advisor reports directly to the USAID/Madagascar Program Officer Director and works with Mission and Embassy leadership and staff to implement development, outreach, and communications efforts to increase awareness of USAID assistance programs in Madagascar and Comoros. The DOC Advisor leads the Mission’s communications efforts and is responsible for overseeing and managing all outreach and communication endeavors for the entire USAID assistance portfolio in Madagascar and Comoros. S/he leads the two-person DOC unit in Antananarivo, works closely with the Mission Writer/Editor, and collaborates and liaises with communications specialists and points-of-contact across USAID/Madagascar, the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, USAID implementing partners, Government of Madagascar officials, USAID/Africa Bureau, USAID/Washington, and other stakeholders. The DOC Advisor is a member of the USAID Senior Staff team in the Mission. S/he interacts with senior managers throughout the Embassy, with local and international press contacts, with senior Government of Madagascar and visiting U.S. government (USG) officials.

The DOC Advisor is the principal liaison and collaborates closely with USAID/Madagascar offices, implementing partners, and the Embassy Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), providing oversight, advice, and guidance in developing, implementing, and updating the Mission’s Development Outreach and Communications Strategy, including the formulation of Mission-wide and Embassy messages. S/he is responsible for developing strategic messaging that is politically sensitive, nuanced, persuasive, and aligned with USAID’s country development strategy, the U.S. government, and Agency’s policy priorities, communication strategy and initiatives. The DOC Advisor manages and oversees a wide range of public-information and outreach activities, across all communication mediums, to support USAID/Madagascar’s programs and development objectives, targeting information to specific audiences in both the United States, Madagascar and Comoros, in accordance with the Mission’s communication strategy and evolving circumstances. S/he leads the production, creation, and strategic use of innovative outreach tools, such as social media, factsheets, video documentaries, radio shows, public relations, and press events to disseminate information to both American, Malagasy, and Comorian audiences. Use of social media and electronic formats is increasingly important for messaging, and the incumbent is expected to produce products in house. The DOC Advisor also oversees and implements capacity building activities within the Mission and with implementing partners to develop more effective communication plans and materials.

The DOC Advisor leads the Mission to plan, establish, and implement a schedule of public outreach and local media events. S/he also assists the Mission in complying with communications standards and recommended best practices established by the USAID Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs and by the U.S. Department of State. This includes regularly leading communications and events about program milestones and successes that conform to guidelines for timeliness, style, format, branding and marking, content and deadline guidelines. S/he explains in easy and understandable terms complex USAID processes and topics (technical information, project design and procurement processes, U.S. government, Agency, and Mission strategic and policy priorities, sector policies, and branding and marking requirements) to broad audiences. The DOC Advisor collaborates closely with the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Officer on media outreach, interagency events, and VIP visits. S/he also serves as the primary liaison with USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs, and with the relevant communications teams based in the Agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC, USA.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in public relations, public affairs, communications, journalism, marketing, public administration, or an area relevant for international development programs.

Prior Work Experience

– A minimum of five years of demonstrated successful work experience in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field, successfully increasing awareness of a service or a program, directing outreach campaigns to a variety of audiences, and working in a developing country, and in an international development context

– A minimum of three years experience in building capacity on communications/public relations topics, and leading a team

– Experience in writing reports, working with international development programs, planning and executing events, and utilizing social networking media for public communication

Skills and Abilities

Must have demonstrated capacity in the following skills and abilities:

• Excellent skills and abilities in drafting, editing, and producing a variety of public outreach materials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to transform and explain highly-technical material into easy-to-understand narrative.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence relationships positively.
• Initiative and proactive engagement with colleagues to complete assigned tasks in accordance with agreed timetables and quality and format standards.
• Ability to work independently, managing several activities at once, and to work under pressure to meet short deadlines.
• Ability to maintain superior levels of professionalism while working under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills.
• Strong skills in the use of software for office business and outreach and communications related products, including Microsoft and Google suites. Knowledge/Proficiency in Adobe Creative suites can be an asset.

Language Proficiency

• Level V (native proficiency) in English. At this level an employee is required to possess a high degree of proficiency in both written and spoken language in English.