Communications Specialist, USAID SPARK (Hybrid) – (3686)

### Job Description

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is looking to hire a Communications Specialist for the anticipated USAID Strategic Partnerships for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK) program. SPARK will fund locally-led research in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), in collaboration with researchers in the U.S., to develop and disseminate solutions to local and global challenges.

We invite you to join a team united by a single goal: to transform our interconnected world into a network of more peaceful and equitable societies. IIE’s team members share a belief that when education transcends borders, it opens minds, enabling people to go beyond building connections to solving problems together.

Learn more about IIE, our culture, and commitment to DEIA [here](https://www.iie.org).

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### Job Summary

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for implementing a SPARK communications strategy to support outreach to diverse prospective grantees, including US and LMIC researchers and higher education and research institutions. They will create, maintain, and update external communication, resources, and print materials for SPARK, including website, newsletters, publications, social media, and reports. The Communications Specialist establishes SPARK’s visibility and coordinates with media circles and partners in planning, implementing, and promoting events with an emphasis on aligning public relations and donor relations strategies and communications. The Communications Specialist may also support USAID ITR/R in conducting outreach to USAID Missions to build interest in creating buy-ins for the SPARK program. The Communications Specialist is responsible for complying with applicable agreement and sponsor requirements and following all IIE policies and procedures. They report to the Program Director of SPARK.

### Essential Functions

– Develops and updates the SPARK communications strategy and is responsible for implementation of Branding and Marking Plan and 508 compliance.
– Engages with local/national media circles to promote program activities through diverse media platforms. Designs and manages promotions and advertisement on behalf of the project within an approved budget.
– Writes the content for the SPARK website, blog, email newsletters, and reports. Manages and regularly updates website and social media platforms. Works closely with SPARK team to create and implement strategies in developing online content.
– Develops success stories and captures progress to contribute to the Performance Management Plan, progress reports, and manages the project’s branding plan.
– Plans and implements large-scale media events to highlight program successes, coordinating with a wide array of stakeholders.
– In collaboration with MEL Specialist, measures and reports on the effectiveness of communications activities. Gathers and sorts through visual documentation and artifacts such as photos, videos, and graphic visuals.
– Liaises with vendors (e.g., graphic designers, video editors, printers) and ensures projects stay within designated budget.
– For virtual events, reviews content of slide decks, edits video and documentation, leads promotion and dissemination.
– Leads capacity-building trainings with grantees on communicating research outcomes to lay audiences.

This position is contingent on funding.

### Job Requirements

**Education and Work Experience**

– Requires a bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of related work experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

**Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**

– Minimum of five (5) years of experience leading communications strategy and implementation, with at least two (2) working at an international non-profit or higher education institution.
– Experience developing communications strategies and plans required. Preference for experience developing communications strategies and plans in compliance with USAID Branding and Marking requirements.
– Knowledge of social media strategy and experience with media/social media projects required.
– Superior writing and editing skills required.
– Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural, public speaking, and communication skills.
– Experience and ability to work on complex teams and with multiple stakeholders while holding a global lens on all work, including a demonstrated ability to contribute to inclusive, equitable groups in which everyone participating feels valued.
– Knowledge of and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite or an online platform such as Canva.
– Knowledge of social media marketing and Google Analytics.
– Ability to edit copy/photos/videos.
– Initiative to develop new projects.
– Ability to create and implement strategies to develop online content.
– Must be able to travel independently and support event setup when required.
– Ability to work under deadline with shifting priorities and on several projects simultaneously while assuring timely completion of tasks.
– Fluency in English.

**Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**

– Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or related field preferred.
– Experience on USAID-funded programs highly desired.
– Experience working with LMICs preferred.

### Salary Range

$69,630 – $80,945. A candidate’s salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, internal organizational equity, and geographic region.

IIE offers a robust suite of benefits to team members including medical, dental, and vision plans, paid time off and holidays, student loan and tuition reimbursement programs, professional development reimbursement program, retirement plans, and family medical leave benefits. Please visit our [careers page](https://www.iie.org/en/Careers) for further details.

### Work Conditions & Physical Demands

Essential functions are performed in a general office setting with low noise. Job demands may require long periods of sitting; telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other team members and external stakeholders. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

IIE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Learn more here