USAID TAPS Senior Strategic Communications Advisor

Background and Introduction:

Jefferson Solutions was awarded a five-year contract to provide technical, administrative, and programmatic support to the Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS). Through REFS, USAID works to advance inclusive agriculture-led growth, resilience, nutrition, and water security, sanitation and hygiene initiatives in priority countries around the world to help them accelerate and protect development progress.

The Senior Communications Advisor will provide all functions needed to support Bureau or Operating Unit leadership and teams to operate effectively, and to meet overall objectives. They will support the creation and execution of strategic communications and outreach plans that support Bureau goals, working closely with other members of their team and across the Bureau, Agency, interagency, partner organizations, and the public.

Position Summary:

The Senior Strategic Communications Advisor will support day-to-day functions of the Technical Supervisor, Office, or Center to which they are assigned for day-to-day work assignments. Daily activities will include aspects of communications and outreach, content generation, research and analysis, program management and coordination, and knowledge management of RFS-related programs and activities.

Description of Role:

The Communications and Outreach Unit, managed by the REFS Communications Director, guides Bureau strategic communications and outreach in coordination with the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) and other stakeholders. The central team serves as the external affairs lead among U.S. government departments and agencies engaged in REFS's multi-sectoral work. The team coordinates internal communications within the Bureau and between REFS and other Bureaus; coordinates the Bureau's legislative engagement, providing information to Congress related to legislation and advising Bureau centers and offices on the status of pending legislation and related concerns of members of Congress; and houses the team that manages Bureau taskers and paper flow.

The Senior Communications Advisor will play a crucial role in creating and maintaining effective communication channels, producing high-quality content that engages, educates, and inspires our target audiences. The Advisor will be strategically focused on food security, including crisis response resulting from conflict and climate shocks. The Advisor will work closely with the Communications Director or designee and the Senior Advisor for Food Security to develop a messaging framework and outreach strategy that elevates USAID global leadership and the role of Feed the Future in global food security. Domestic (approx. 2 trips per year) and international (approx. 3 trips per year) travel anticipated.

Key Responsibilities:

Communications and Outreach

• Draft and implement a communications strategy for the Feed the Future initiative and USAID investments in global food security, including an impact (vs output) focused monitoring and evaluation strategy.
• Develop a messaging framework with focused and approachable topline and secondary messages with supporting points that align with technical priorities.
• Liaise with the Bureau Communications Team and the Interagency Team to ensure cross channel alignment and consistency of messaging and content.
• Lead interagency communications coordination to coordinate messaging, strategy, and content in support of the Feed the Future initiative.
• Develop a substantive and graphic rich regular crisis response update, as well as similarly substantive and graphic materials for social media and the web.
• Develop a strategic engagement calendar for the USAID Administrator and Assistant to the Administrator/Global Food Crisis Coordinator that elevates USAID global leadership and the role of Feed the Future in global food security.
• Develop and maintain high-quality food security content such as talking points, briefing materials, success stories, newsletter articles, videos, blog posts, press releases, memos and other communications materials.
• Provide support on a wide range of day-to-day tasks related to communications and outreach activities, including digital content and engagement, event planning and execution, and press responses.
• Develop, coordinate, and execute integrated strategic communications strategies and campaigns across web and social media that elevate engagement and awareness among target audiences online around key announcements and events.
• Serve as key liaison to manage incoming information requests or external outreach within or outside of USAID on behalf of Office/Center/Division.
• Support generation and/or management of intranet, internet, or social media site content.
• Serves as key liaison with other Offices and Centers to gather information and collaborate with others in the Bureau, Agency, and interagency as needed; briefs Bureau leadership on key events and engagements.

Research and Analysis

• Conduct research and synthesize data, information and stories into high-quality, targeted strategic messaging and communications materials that elevate engagement and awareness among target audiences online around key announcements and events.
• Provide desk research, simple data analysis, and interpret data as needed.
• Support data syntheses and analyses reports; present findings.
• Collaborate to develop and socialize research strategies.

Program Management and Assistance

• Contribute to team projects and activities, such as writing and editing, responding to requests for information, internal communications, and strategic planning.
• Propose, plan, track, and report on public events for both Bureau and Agency leadership.
• Provide logistical support to organize meetings, schedule conference rooms as necessary and ensure proper equipment and materials are available for meetings at least one day prior.
• Capture and distribute meeting minutes, summaries of conclusions, and action items.

Knowledge Management

• Save documents and maintain file structures using USAID portals.
• Maintain communications documents on the Feed the Future Hub.
• Maintain current, cleared standard public materials, including powerpoints, topline messages and talking points, press guidance, and fact sheets.
• Develop and maintain internal trackers including for logistics and milestone tracking.
• Track and follow clearances for Bureau documentation and ensure that formal documentation is of high quality.
• Maintain awareness of and follow Agency and Federal guidelines for file retention.

Qualifications

• An MA/MS and a minimum of 6 years of experience or a BA/BS and a minimum of 8 years' progressively responsible experience. Applicants may substitute an Associate's and 12 years' experience or a high school diploma and 14 years' work experience in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.
• Ability to obtain a USAID facility access (Public Trust) clearance.
• Excellent oral, interpersonal, and written communications skills to effectively interact with government clients, high-ranking officials, and other stakeholders.
• Experience managing programs similar in size or scope.
• Demonstrated understanding of the subject matter is required.
• Ability to manage adaptively, provide meaningful contribution to technical discussions, and work independently is required.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong prioritization and organization skills with keen attention to deadlines.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing situations.
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills, supervisory experience a plus.
• Excellent anticipatory skills and proactive approach to work.
• Strong judgment.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Specialized experience in organizing and implementing communications and outreach events and activities.
• Proficiency in media relations and crisis response.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and management.
• Understanding of crisis management principles and best practices.
• Positive and professional attitude and demeanor.
• Detail-oriented and demonstrated ability to produce impactful work products.
• Knowledge of digital and social media platforms.
• Proficiency in Google Suite of products.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite of products including excel, word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with both the private sector and USAID, USG or other related organizations is a plus.