Communications Director – Advancing Women for Resilient Agriculture Supply Chains

Position Overview

DAI seeks a Communications Director for the USAID-funded Advancing Women for Resilient Agricultural Supply Chains (AWRAS) program. The Communications Director will oversee and support the communications strategy and activities for the AWRAS program.

USAID established a partnership with a cohort of private-sector actors to develop innovative approaches to addressing sustainability challenges in their agricultural supply chains by embedding gender-responsive activities in their core business, agricultural value chain, and sustainability strategies.

The partnership aims to establish a shared understanding of market-based, core business solutions that promote women’s equal access to and control over resources, opportunities, and decision-making authority in agricultural supply chains as a key strategy for achieving sustainability goals. Interventions will build upon the initiatives already led and implemented by partners, leveraging lessons learned and successful practices to enhance knowledge sharing and develop effective implementation tools. The partnership will align efforts between corporate partners and USAID to address constraints and capitalize on opportunities to advance environmental sustainability by embedding gender equality into core business operations. The partners involved in this activity were selected based on their ongoing work and significant learnings from gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives and their commitment to sustainable agriculture. By building upon their current efforts, they aim to scale these initiatives within their own supply chains, share best practices, and influence the industry for greater impact. Their active engagement and experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives make them ideal contributors to this partnership. By identifying and implementing a common theory of change and measuring outcomes, the project will foster synergy and coherence among the private sector partners and bilaterally with USAID.

The Communications Director will foster a flexible, collaborative, and supportive environment that delivers high-quality, creative, and cost-effective communication solutions. This role will focus on developing a communications strategy and creating knowledge and learning materials, including data visualizations, success stories, case studies, and other reports that enhance learning activities and inform adaptive management decisions. Additionally, the Communications Director will promote project activities through key communication channels and engage USAID and the private sector partners in all communications planning and activities.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute a comprehensive communication strategy that promotes the partnership’s goals and activities, including crafting key messages, identifying target audiences, and selecting appropriate communication channels.
• Engage USAID and private sector partners on all communications planning and activities. USAID and the private sector may have separate communications initiatives related to AWRAS. The Communications Director will maintain regular communication with the partners to ensure their communication efforts are closely coordinated with AWRAS activities.
• Ensure that the AWRAS branding and marking plan is implemented throughout the project. With high-profile private sector partners and a very complex set of activities, the Communications Director will have to closely manage all uses of partners’ brands on project communications materials.
• Produce high-quality content for various communication platforms, including newspapers, social media, and the partnership’s website.
• Ensure that all content effectively communicates the partnership’s impact and engages stakeholders.
• Support partners in crafting communications collateral for internal and external messaging, including by coordinating clearance requirements and potential sensitivities of various partners.
• Provide guidance to consultants and subawardees on communication activities and branding/marking.
• Supervise at least one communications specialist staff member.

Qualifications & Skills

Minimum Requirements:

• At least 15 years of relevant experience, with at least 7 years of experience in communications strategy development and implementation for corporate and government clients/partners, and familiarity with USAID communications requirements. A college degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• Experience working on high-profile communications with government or private sector leadership.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to cultural, social, and political contexts of the project regions.
• Ability to professionally communicate across all levels of an organization and with clients and the public.
• Understanding of U.S. Government priorities and sensitivities and experience framing messaging appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team of communications professionals to manage multiple deliverables and workstreams against deadlines.
• Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship.
• Based in one of the following U.S. locations where DAI is registered: District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master’s degree is preferred.
• Knowledge or experience with gender and agriculture projects is preferred.

Reporting

The Communications Director will report to the AWRAS Chief of Party.

Compensation & Benefits

This position and any offer extended are contingent upon project funding and client approval.

For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $130,000 to $170,000. Actual offers will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S.-based employees will be able to enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, parental leave, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

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