Senior Communications Advisor – USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI)

Background

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. The continent-wide program is USAID’s flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative and will expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States.

Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.

Position Description

Senior Communications Advisor

The Senior Communications Advisor will support ATI’s Prosper Africa and On-Continent Communications team in designing and achieving all aspects of internal and external project communications. S/he will ensure the development of high-quality knowledge and learning content including data visualizations, success stories, case studies, and other reporting that informs learning activities and adaptive management decisions. S/he will also lead the promotion of project activities through key communication channels and will engage critical partners and communities of practice through strategic outreach and innovative communication practices.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure alignment of ATI’s strategic communications efforts with ATI’s programmatic goals.
• Collaborate with the Senior Communications Director to develop and execute the project’s overall communications strategy (internal and external).
• Work with and mentor ATI communications staff and technical team to create high-quality communications products in support of project goals.
• Lead the preparation and presentation to USAID of reports and written communications on the progress and impact of program activities including Monthly Updates, Quarterly Progress Reports, Quarterly Financial Reports, Annual Reports, and the Final Report.
• Build strong client relationships across ATI buy-in clients, including D.C.-based Operating Units, Prosper Africa, and USAID Missions.
• Oversee other project outreach through identified social media platforms and messaging services.
• Support client engagement stakeholders initiatives.
• Work closely with Project staff to design project-specific communications and outreach strategies, including identification of strategic channels and key influencers, particularly those related to promotion of opportunities available under the Activity Fund, using MEL data, lessons learned and accomplishments to feed into impactful storytelling.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of grant and subcontract activities specifically related to communication and outreach activities.
• Ensure communication and branding of Project events and workshops.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of public information materials.
• Coordinate press and other media outreach.
• Lead and mentor ATI’s Nairobi-based communications team, building their capacity to achieve the project’s strategic communications goals.
• Provide strategic communications advice to clients and staff and deliver high-quality communications products.
• Other related duties as assigned by Senior Communications Director.
• Travel to regional offices as required.

Reporting

The Senior Communications Advisor will report to the ATI Senior Communications Director.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and fluency in English.
• University degree in relevant field and 5+ years of experience drafting reports, documents, and outreach materials and developing and implementing communications plans.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to quickly absorb technical information and then using it, create compelling content.
• Excellent interpersonal and client-management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-moving, fluid team setting with multiple stakeholders and must be a self-starter.
• Experience in development communications on large, complex, multi-country USG-funded projects is highly preferred.
• Experience with U.S. Government branding and clearance requirements and processes preferred.
• French language skills a plus.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Compensation & Benefits

For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $85,000 – $125,000.

Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. 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, and 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.

About DAI

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism 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 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 of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

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