About Us
International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S. based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over 100 countries and implemented over 300 projects. IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies, and several donor agencies. IBTCI specializes in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and institutional support across many areas and sectors including, but not limited to, conflict and crisis, democracy and governance, agriculture, economic growth, food security, education, environment, and global health.
Job Title: Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist
Department/Location: USAID/Ethiopia- Front Office
Reports To: IBTCI Project Manager
Type: Consultancy
Clearance Required: Facilities Access
Overview:
Ethiopia is the second largest country in Africa and is ranked as one of the world’s poorest countries, creating immense development challenges. Its rapidly growing and young population is mostly engaged in subsistence farming and nearly 10 percent of Ethiopians are chronically food insecure. Overcoming an approximate 33 percent extreme poverty rate is difficult. This situation is exacerbated by a recent history of conflict, and Ethiopia being located in a troubled region, including shared borders with Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya and Somalia.
In this context, USAID/Ethiopia manages one of the Agency’s largest development and humanitarian assistance portfolios in the world, tackling some of the most pervasive, complex and intractable development challenges in the continent. The Mission manages multiple Presidential Initiatives, including Feed the Future (FtF), Global Health (GH), Power Africa, the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI). USAID/Ethiopia’s 2019-2024 Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) addresses development challenges in the areas of Democracy, Demographics, and Disasters at both the levels of systems and institutions, as well as citizens and communities. The CDCS and ongoing programs firmly support the reform efforts underway in Ethiopia, and the USG priorities in the country.
USAID/Ethiopia also oversees the country program in the neighboring Djibouti, focused on achieving inclusive and sustainable development through economic growth, health, education, and democracy and governance programs. Djibouti, roughly the size of Massachusetts, is home to approximately 1 million people and it is located on the strategic passage between the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. Djibouti’s strategic location affords promising economic opportunities as a gateway to much larger markets, such as landlocked Ethiopia. Djibouti is also located in a conflict prone region and hosts military bases from seven countries, including the U.S. and China, which provide security, stability and revenue to the country. However, Djibouti faces a plethora of development challenges. The climate in Djibouti is harsh and 44% of Djibouti’s population lives on less than $2 per day. Over forty percent of the population is aged 15 years or younger, and over 70 percent of this group is unemployed. The country has one of the highest tuberculosis infection rates in the world with cases of multi-drug and ultra-resistant tuberculosis on the rise. Djibouti is an oligarchy and plutocracy with power in the hands of a minority political elite. Djibouti’s geopolitical positioning and its relatively moderate views make it a unique and strategic partner for the advancement of U.S. national security goals in the East Africa region. Djibouti hosts the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF/HOA), the only U.S. military installation in Africa.
Because of the strategic importance of this region and since Addis Ababa is the seat of the African Union, USAID/Ethiopia is an exceedingly high-profile environment, frequently visited by high-level visitors, including the President, the Secretary of State, the U.S. Trade Representative, the USAID Administrator, the Deputy Administrator, Assistant Administrators, and a plethora of Congressional delegations.
Exceptional efforts to communicate USAID and USG objectives and impact are vital to USAID/Ethiopia’s ability to be successful in achieving its foreign policy and development objectives in the region. The Mission seeks to improve the quality and availability of information about U.S. foreign assistance and its benefits in the region to a broader audience. Strong communications and outreach policies and strategies, and forward-leaning implementation is essential to USAID’s and the USG’s ability to build foreign relations in support of U.S. national interests.
For these purposes, USAID established the Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist position. This position will be located in the Front Office of USAID/Ethiopia and reports directly to the Deputy Mission Director, USAID/Ethiopia.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:
The DOC Specialist (hereafter referred to as “DOC”) will service the needs of USAID/Ethiopia and its area of responsibility, to include Djibouti, per the requirements below.
Strategic Communications (35%):
The DOC is the expert authority on all communication and outreach strategies, policies, tools, and approaches for the USAID/Ethiopia and Djibouti portfolios. This expert authority extends to all technical and program staff in both countries (approximately 300 staff), thereby affecting a large number of technical staff and having a direct effect on the scope, manner and effectiveness with which USAID translates high level decisions, initiatives, programs and activities into clear and direct messaging. The DOC is delegated this expert authority in concert with the Bureau for Legislative and Policy Affairs to advise and reflect their interests within the region on outreach and communications related to several Presidential, joint State-USAID and USAID Initiatives, as well as activities implemented within the region, but managed from AID/Washington.
The DOC develops and supports comprehensive Development Outreach and Communication Strategies, advising on communication policy for USAID/Ethiopia and Djibouti that promotes USAID and all USG programs to internal and external audiences, ensuring public awareness of programs and projects being funded by USAID and other USG Agencies; facilitating information access and sharing within the entire Mission; and, strengthening Mission reporting functions to USAID/Washington, the Department of State, and the U.S. Congress. The Development Outreach and Communication Strategies will innovatively translate the role and objectives of USAID and USG assistance into clear messaging, and define how information will be used to highlight the impact of USAID and USG assistance in Ethiopia and the region. The policies, communications strategies and outreach plans will include developing and testing new hypotheses and theories for opening new channels of communication and sustainably improving the flow of information on development activities to local audiences. The DOC manages all outsourced development outreach and communications-related services, as applicable or as needed. S/he supervises a team to utilize a broad range of innovative, effective and widely disseminated publicity tools to ensure target audience awareness of the scale and impact of USAID and U.S. generosity throughout Ethiopia and Djibouti, ensuring a targeted, coherent, and consistent message.
As a senior official of USAID, the DOC also serves as the primary point of contact for all official communication needs of USAID/Ethiopia and Djibouti visitors from the U.S. Embassies, USAID/Washington, VIPs, etc. The DOC is USAID’s sole point of contact for such visits and events, responsible for managing all aspects of outreach and communication related to USAID programming; maintains site visit schedules; reviews briefing materials and scene setters; coordinates meetings and briefings with implementing partners, constituents, other donors, and officials; and, handles all logistics related to visits. It is fully expected that the materials developed by the DOC will be used in U.S. media coverage of events in the region, and therefore geared toward a broad and experienced audience.
Additionally and relatedly, the DOC:
- Counsels and advises the USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director and frequently directs USAID staff in both countries on all communication and outreach efforts;
- Advises the Mission’s development, outreach and communications team, ensuring overall quality and coherence of the team’s communications and outreach products and initiatives covering the entire USAID/Ethiopia area of responsibility;
- Guides all USAID staff and contractors in developing appropriate public information programs, oversees all USAID branding, provides guidance to USAID staff and partners in their direct contacts with the media, and ensures a targeted, coherent, and consistent message from all USAID staff and partners;
- Substantially increases the effective and creative use of multimedia to enhance the message of development throughout Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the region, through written and visual means; and
- Oversees all internal communications functions, including quality assurance of annual required and ad-hoc reports and communications with internal USAID and USG stakeholders.
Development Outreach and Media Activities (35%):
To ensure appropriate, consistent and accurate messaging and communication of USG and USAID program objectives and achievements in support of U.S. foreign policy, the DOC organizes, coordinates and implements press events for USAID activities in conjunction with the PAS, USAID Mission Director and Deputy Directors, technical teams, implementing partners, regional and/or local governments, and private sector counterparts. S/he directs DOC, Program Office and Technical Staff in the preparation and maintenance of information packages on the USAID and USG programs in Ethiopia and Djibouti – with standard basic packages for differing purposes (media, the public, educational institutions, the Governments of Ethiopia and Djibouti, and district and local level governments, etc.), for briefings and for distribution to the public and the media; and, for USAID/Washington, the US Embassy, etc. The DOC monitors local and international press coverage for awareness of, and attitudes toward USAID and USG writ large, and provides continuous feedback to inform USAID staff on ongoing activities and future programming.
For media events, the DOC and his or her team are responsible for:
- Drafting of speeches, talking points, and background briefings for media engagements, including the development of materials and preparation of speakers for radio, video and television sessions;
- Compilation and dissemination of press packets, handling of protocol issues, site selection, staging, and on-site coordination of all media issues;
- Identification and scheduling of speakers and liaising with U.S. and local government officials as needed;
- Writing and/or editing of USAID programmatic and strategic fact sheets and briefing materials for public consumption;
- Writing and/or editing of Briefing Checklists (BCLs), scene setters, briefing materials and memoranda for the Ambassador, the USAID Mission Director or his/her designees when their participation in events is warranted; and
- Coordination of updates to USAID websites.
The DOC oversees the drafting of press releases on program successes, project inaugurations, and significant developments, and provides drafts to the PAS for dissemination, as appropriate; follows up with media to encourage and support coverage of public events; works with staff from throughout the Mission to develop and maintain public relations materials, to the extent possible in both the English and the country’s official language, including fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, presentations, websites, and other visual displays on USAID programs and their objectives; distributes reports on field trips and assessments conducted by USAID staff; and, participates in field trips as necessary.
Coordination of Communication Strategies and Activities (30%):
As the expert authority on outreach and communication, the DOC may be called upon to provide high-level, sophisticated support and guidance to the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, the USAID Mission Director for Ethiopia, and other U.S. Ambassadors and USAID Mission staff in the area of responsibility. With continual changes in geo-political climate, multi-sector programmatic needs, shifting political bilateral and multilateral relations between the U.S. and other government entities, and several Presidential Initiatives, the DOC’s duties include extensive analysis of complex issues. The DOC must continuously access and interpret often-nuanced information as it is made available or accessible. He or she must use expert judgment to create or adjust policy statements and messages for use by various levels of the U.S. Mission in Ethiopia and the region.
The DOC coordinates with the Public Affairs Sections (PAS) in Ethiopia and Djibouti; advisesand mentors USAID staff on such coordination efforts; develops and supports implementation of communication strategies, branding and marking plans of all partners to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of USAID and USG humanitarian and development assistance efforts and initiatives; and designs and implements the development communications and outreach strategy to increase understanding of, and support for, USAID’s programs to external target audiences. They serve as USAID’s point of contact for all press relations, both international and local media and works closely with PAS on press relations while maintaining contacts with high-level Western and local journalists from all media outlets. They exercise independent judgment and assist in navigating with the PAS, U.S. military, other USG agencies (e.g. Treasury, Commerce, Agriculture), other donors, and USAID implementing partners to maximize exposure and accurate understanding of U.S. humanitarian and development assistance efforts and initiatives in Ethiopia and the region.
The DOC represents USAID and the U.S. Mission at a senior level in all matters pertaining to Development Outreach and Communication activities with the Ethiopian and Djiboutian Governments, other donors and development partners, domestic and international media, regional African organizations, and other groups and institutions; and, as appropriate, helps to build their capacity to manage public affairs and outreach activities. The DOC is a creative agent for dissemination of important information through government intermediaries.
Supervisory Relationship:
The incumbent will report to the Deputy Mission Director, who will provide administrative direction with assignments broadly defined. The DOC is expected to plan, design and carry out duties independently. Review of work will be based on fulfillment of Key Deliverables and Communication Strategies objectives, effectiveness and influence of media and outreach campaigns and overall ability to serve foreign policy priorities.
Supervisory Controls:
The incumbent will support other Development Outreach and Communications officers, and DOC team members as needed or assigned. They will advise other Mission staff tasked to support important outreach efforts for VIPs, visits by government officials, and embassy-generated outreach efforts.
NOTE: The consultant will not perform other inherently governmental functions or duties (e.g. will not serve as AOR/COR or supervise staff), but rather will advise, mentor, and facilitate as appropriate on the performance of inherently governmental functions on the part of the Office or Mission.
KEY DELIVERABLES: (SMART – tangible outcomes)
- Prepare remarks, talking points, and speeches, as requested by Mission principals;
- Provide strategic and technical guidance on communications and outreach to most impactfully reach the largest possible local and U.S. audience, including documentation and presentation of the achievements of the Mission in supporting Ethiopia and Djibouti’s progress in sustainably addressing its major development challenges;
- Collaboration with the DOC team, advising team members and other Mission staff in need of DOC services.
- Advises, trains, and equips other DOC staff with the tools necessary to successfully support a high-functioning DOC team.
Qualifications
Writing Sample:
Note: If selected for an interview, applicants will also be asked to provide at least two writing samples. The samples should be 350 to 1,500 words. They can be excerpts from larger articles or papers, and do not have to concern development or be written specifically for this solicitation. The samples should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to clearly, lucidly and succinctly communicate complex ideas to the public. The samples must be written exclusively by the applicant. Co-written articles are not accepted. Final applicant(s) may be asked to take a written test.
Minimum Requirements:
- A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in public relations in an international setting such as in an international organization, corporation, donor, foreign government, or NGO.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and establish multi-pronged communication policies and strategies, and to craft information messages in various media formats (press releases, websites, stories, etc.), and targeting a variety of audiences. Demonstrate ability in coordination and organizational skills within multi-cultural work environments; demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and to work effectively under pressure; and, demonstrated initiative and creativity. Demonstrated past experience in performing successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and direction. Demonstrated experience with international aid projects, especially in critical priority countries. Demonstrated ability of initiative in media campaigns, special programs, press conferences, etc.
- Demonstrated ability in analyzing complex programmatic information and understanding USG national interests and diplomatic priorities in order to craft information messages in various media formats, targeting a variety of audiences to meet numerous objectives simultaneously. Demonstrated ability of initiative and proactive engagement with colleagues to complete assigned tasks in accordance with agreed upon timetables.
- The successful candidate must be a native English speaker, with the highest level of written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team. Demonstrated ability to make cogent arguments clearly and succinctly in written and oral presentations. Demonstrated ability in computer skills, sophisticated media and multimedia tools (including online platforms and social media) and the ability to work in all appropriate Microsoft Office Suite applications and Google Suite, use desktop publishing software and one or more website development applications, and be familiar with Adobe Photoshop. Knowledge of Amharic and/or French is a plus.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in the field of journalism, communications, international relations, international development, public administration, development/area studies, social studies, public relations.
Working Environment: Work is typically performed in an office environment. Currently the company is allowing for hybrid work in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area. This can be updated by the company.
Physical Requirements: This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 20 lbs.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Travel: International travel may be required and may include travel to fragile and/or conflict-prone zones.
Work Authorization: Candidate must be authorized to work in Ethiopia.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
About the Organization:
IBTCI has been in business since 1987. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL), Institutional Support (IS), Financial & Risk Management (FRM), Supply Chain Management & Procurement (SCMP); Social & Behavior Change (SBC) and Capacity Building. We provide these services across many sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, resilience & food security, conflict & crisis, democracy & governance, economic growth & trade, education & human capacity development, energy & infrastructure, environment & climate change, global health & WASH and humanitarian and disaster assistance. At IBTCI, our colleagues are encouraged to collaborate and be part of the solution while getting the tools and guidance needed to grow and support our clients’ missions.
IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws. We prohibit and do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability, or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact the Talent Acquisition team at TalentAcquisition@ibtci.com (Do not send your resume to this account, for consideration please apply in our career page, https://careers.ibtci.com/jobs).