Senior Development Outreach and Communication Officer

A. BASIC FUNCTION The Senior Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Officer reports directly to the Deputy Mission Director, USAID/Ethiopia. He/she will serve as the Mission’s principal liaison with all strategic objective teams and implementing partners, providing leadership in the development and implementation of the Mission’s overall communications strategy. The senior DOC Officer collaborates closely with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer and Press and Information Officer to ensure that Embassy personnel are always aware of USAID public activities and projects. The DOC Officer also serves as the primary liaison with USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. The DOC Officer will interact with senior managers throughout the Embassy, with local and international press contacts, and with senior Government of Ethiopia officials. The incumbent will be a key member of the Mission’s senior management team. In FY 2009 USAID/Ethiopia managed the largest assistance budget in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia is a focus country for three separate Presidential initiatives, PEPFAR, PMI, and the President’s Africa Education Initiative, and has a core budget of about $500 million. In addition, in FY 09 USAID/Ethiopia programmed about $600 million in emergency assistance. The Senior DOC Officer supports USAID/Ethiopia in the achievement of its objectives by producing and disseminating public information about the Mission’s activities for Ethiopian and American consumption to educate and promote a better understanding of USAID programs. The senior DOC Officer is responsible for collecting, investigating, managing, and distributing information associated with the USAID foreign assistance program in Ethiopia. The Senior DOC Officer serves as the Mission’s primary point of contact and liaison for any information requests. C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Work closely with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section, USAID Mission and partners to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of U.S. humanitarian and development assistance efforts and initiatives in Ethiopia, as defined by the Chief of Mission and USAID Mission Director. 2. Develop, design and implement the Mission’s communications and outreach strategy to increase understanding of, and support for, USAID programs to external target audiences. Manage all outreach and communications-related contracts for the implementation of the strategy. 3. Ensure target audience awareness of programs and projects funded by USAID throughout Ethiopia. 4. Supervises the PEPFAR Communication Specialist to help raise awareness of PEPFAR-funded activities through USAID. 5. Provide USAID/Washington and the Embassy with information on programs. 6. Advise the Senior Mission Management and other USAID staff on press and media relations in collaboration with the Embassy Public Affairs Section. Ensure a targeted, coherent, and consistent message from all USAID staff and partners. 7. Monitor local and international press coverage, awareness and attitudes of USAID programs and monitor effectiveness of the communications strategy. Provide feedback to inform ongoing activities and future programming. 8. In collaboration with and under the guidance of the PAO and Information Officer, serve as the principal USAID contact for representatives of the local and international media in Ethiopia to promote story ideas and feature stories on USAID programs. As appropriate, organize media tours and facilitate contacts among members of the media and USAID implementers to encourage in-depth coverage of USAID programs in the local and international media. 9. In conjunction with Embassy Public Affairs Section, Mission Director, technical teams and implementing partners, organize and coordinate press events for USAID projects, such as inaugurations, ribbon-cutting, and completion of projects, including writing press releases, organizing background briefings for media, compiling and disseminating press packets, dealing with protocol issues, site selection, staging and logistical issues, identifying and scheduling speakers, liaison with U.S. and local government officials and on-site coordination of media. Follow-up with media to ensure coverage of public events. 10. The incumbent will be responsible for managing all of USAID/Ethiopia’s branding efforts and will advise USAID staff and contractors in developing branding and marking plans and organize branding workshops to explain and ensure proper implementation of branding guidelines. 11. Establish and maintain contacts with donor representatives and other U.S. government agencies to collect information for reports. 12. Maintain a calendar of USAID public diplomacy events in close coordination with implementing partners and the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative. 13. Assist USAID staff and contractors in developing appropriate public information programs. Design, develop, and disseminate all outreach materials and activities to promote USAID programs to target audience and media, including outreach folders and fact sheets, newsletters, brochures, website, photo essays, video and public service announcement campaigns for broadcast and print media. Establish a system for USAID/Ethiopia teams to draft, update and disseminate information on its programs on a regular basis. 14. Travel to the field to get to know projects and capture success stories for dissemination through website, outreach folders and to media. 15. Maintenance of external webpage or website. Participate in website quality control such as ensuring links are functional and pages are loading properly. Also develops and updates systematically the Communications section of the InfoNet. 16. Serve as the primary Mission point of contact for site visits by official visitors from the U.S. Embassy, USAID/Washington, and other agencies. Coordinate VIP site visits as necessary. Lead the preparation of schedules, briefing materials, scene setters, briefings with partners, constituents, and other donors. Maintain the VIP visitor checklist. 17. Manage all logistics related to visits and accompany visitors as required. 18. As directed by the Mission Director, and in collaboration with PAO, respond to inquiries from the general public and media about USAID programs, practices, and any other general information requests. Perform other duties as assigned or required. D. EVALUATION CRITERIA: 1. Education (10 Points): A Master’s degree, preferably in the field of communications, public relations or a related field is required. 2. Prior Work Experience (50 Points): A minimum of five to seven years of professional experience in public relations in an international setting is required (international organization, corporation, government, or NGO). Proven experience in disseminating information to a variety of target audiences is required, as is demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing effective public relations/communications campaigns directed at both closely targeted audiences and the general public. 3. Knowledge and Skills – all required (40 Points): The successful candidate must be capable of drafting information messages in various media formats (press releases, websites, stories, etc.) targeting a variety of audiences. Outstanding coordination and organizational skills within multi-cultural work environment are required. Ability to manage several tasks simultaneously and to work effectively under pressure is a must, as is the ability to take initiative and be creative. The incumbent will be expected to perform at the highest levels with minimal supervision and daily direction. He/She will be expected to demonstrate a strong sense of initiative and a native speaker of English with the highest level written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills is required. The incumbent will be expected to have superb computer skills and the ability to work in all of the Microsoft Office Suite applications. In addition, the incumbent must be comfortable using desktop publishing software, one or more website development applications, and Adobe Photoshop is also required. Photographic and graphic design skills are a plus. E. TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS: The term of the contract will be for two years from on/about November 1, 2009 (earlier if clearances can be completed) to on/about October 31, 2011 (unless otherwise agreed). Within 2 weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to Addis Ababa to perform the above services which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The salary range for this position has been established in the GS-14 range. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history, but will not exceed the top of the range. In addition, the Mission has a 25% Post Differential allowance. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. F. Position Elements 1) Supervision Received : Incumbent will report to the Deputy Mission Director, but the incumbent is expected to work independently in carrying out responsibilities. 2) Available Guidelines: Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAH), Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders and Mission Notices. 3) Exercise of Judgment : Projects assigned to incumbent include a variety of duties and processes requiring extensive exercise of judgment, decision-making, and communications management with minimal direction. 4) Authority to Make Commitments : Yes, for communications-related services procured but not for obligation of funds. 5) Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Personal contacts are with U.S. Embassy personnel up to the highest levels, USAID/Washington personnel, partners, implementers, and institutional contractors and senior officials of the Government of Ethiopia. 6) Supervision Exercised: Yes, primarily FSN DOC(S) personnel and related contracts for communications services. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for managing USAID/Ethiopia information and communications contracts. 7) Medical and Security Clearance: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a Secret level . security clearance for employment and a medical clearance. 8) Benefits: AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN INDIVIDUAL MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN OFFSHORE HIRE USPSC IS NORMALLY UTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS. a. Benefits (1) Employee’s FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance —50% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $7,750 for a family and $3,410 for employees without dependents) —50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500) (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment—Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs (4) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave b. Allowances* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC is normally authorized the following allowances: (1) Post Differential (Section 500) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (4) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220) (5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (6) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600) (7) Education Allowance (Section 270) (8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (9) Danger Pay (Section 650) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). c. Other Benefits: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Ethiopia in accord with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, consumables allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children. G. FEDERAL TAXES : USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. H. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs : For initial consideration: 1. OF-612 or SF-171 Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate: 2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) 3. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). 4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **(Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington). The list of required PSC forms above can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ I. APPLICATION PROCESS: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S government OF-612 which is available at the USAID website http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp , or at Federal Offices. Alternatively, the old SF-171 may be submitted in lieu of the OF-612. All application forms must be signed and dated prior to transmittal. Applicant’s detailed CV and a cover letter of application should also be included. All applications should be submitted electronically to [email protected] To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line of cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for interview. Applications must be received before the closing time and date in item number three of this solicitation. Applications received after that date and/or time may not be considered. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC) : AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf