Description
General Statement of Purpose of the Contract This position is located in USAID/Mali’s Program and Resource Management (PRM) Office which serves as the “nerve center” of the Mali Mission. PRM is responsible for guiding and coordinating program cycle activities such as strategy development; project and activity design; creation of guidance and public communication materials; monitoring, evaluation and learning; coordination with USAID/Washington on planning, budget, and reporting; and assuring compliance with the provisions of the Automated Directives System (ADS) related to the program cycle. Statement of Duties to be Performed. The Senior DOC Advisor will manage the full range of public information and outreach activities in support of USAID/Mali’s programs and objectives, targeting information to specific audiences in both Mali and the US, in accordance with the Mission’s communication strategy and evolving circumstances. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following: Supervision and Coordination (30%) Lead the Mission’s DOC team to ensure overall quality and coherence of the team’s communications and outreach products and initiatives. Lead the development and implementation of the Mission’s communications strategy and outreach plan. Advise the Ambassador, Mission Director and senior leaders on all communications and outreach matters concerning USAID/Mali development portfolio. Represent the Mission at the senior level in all matters pertaining to public affairs and outreach activities with other branches of the USG, the Government of Mali, implementing partners, other donor nations, the UN, World Bank and other donors and stakeholders. Train USAID/Mali’s technical staff in support of their public speaking and media outreach roles. Oversee the integration of communications in activity design and implementation processes. Serve as the senior advisor to Mission management regarding all public information, media relations, and outreach matters. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all USAID/Mali activities and processes, as well as a keen awareness of political and policy issues. Advise USAID staff and implementing partners on development appropriate public information programs and initiatives. Serve as a resident expert on USAID branding and style guidelines, ensuring regulations are followed by recommending the appropriate application of relevant guidance in ADS 320, 2CFR700.16, and the Agency’s Graphic Standards Manual and Partner Co-branding Guide. Oversee and provide regular trainings to USAID staff and implementing partners on communications including compliance with USAID branding and marking requirements. Work closely with C/AORs to ensure adherence to branding and marking requirements in the field. Advise the Office of Acquisition and Assistance, technical teams, and implementing partners on appropriate use and documentation for branding exceptions and waivers. Lead and coordinate with PAO, other USG agencies, and USAID implementing partners to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of U.S. development and humanitarian assistance efforts and initiatives in Mali, as defined by the Chief of Mission and USAID Mission Director. Establish and maintain contacts with all development partners/donor representatives, implementing partners, and other USG agencies to collect information for reports. Public Information and Publicity Materials (30%) Coordinate information dissemination, media outreach, and public events with USAID offices, units, technical staff and implementing partners. Manage the drafting, editing, and dissemination of timely and accurate information through fact sheets, press releases, success stories, videos, radio broadcasts, presentations, responses to requests for information, and all other public information materials relating to USAID/Mali’s activities. These must be tailored to target audiences and prepared in clear, concise English and or French. Manage USAID/Mali social media and the preparation materials for Embassy’s website on USAID/Mali’s portfolio. Work with Technical Teams (i.e., Health, Economic Growth, Education, and Democracy and Governance) to develop and implement communication strategies for their respective portfolios. Manage the use of social media platforms as an engagement tool with a focus on digital advocacy and outreach. Prepare and maintain an updated standard information package on USAID programs in Mali for briefings and for distribution to the public and media, USAID/W, other USG agencies, and high-level visitors. Maintain USAID/Mali web content to ensure that it is accurate and up to date. Media and Public Relations (20%) Promote targeted, information and media outreach activities to push accurate information about USAID programs deep into local, regional, and national markets through the selective use of radio, television, newspapers, public service announcements, and other communications methods. Manage international and local media relations in close coordination with the Embassy Public Affairs Office (PAO), the AFR Bureau and LPA/DC. Advise Embassy PAO on how to expand opportunities to keep media abreast of USAID/Mali programs, through TV, radio, and other media. This may include arranging interviews, briefings, media tours of USAID projects, etc. In collaboration with PAO, advise the Mission Director, mission leadership and USAID staff on press and media relations. Develop and ensure a targeted, coherent, and consistent message from all USAID staff and implementing partners. Supervise the monitoring of local and international press coverage, awareness, and attitudes concerning USAID programs and monitor effectiveness of the communications strategy. Provide feedback to inform ongoing activities and future programming. As directed by the Mission Director, Deputy Director and in collaboration with PAO, respond to inquiries from the public, media, and other sources about USAID/Mali’s programs and projects. Publicity Events (20%) Organize and coordinate press events for USAID projects in conjunction with PAO, USAID Mission Director and Deputy Director, technical teams, and implementing partners. Write press releases, speeches, and talking points; organize background briefings for media; compile and disseminate press packets; deal with protocol issues, site selection, staging, and logistical issues; identify and schedule speakers; liaise with US and local government officials; write or edit Briefing Checklists (BCLs). Prepare scene setters, briefing materials and memorandums to the Ambassador and other senior mission leaders; write or edit BCLs and scene setters for USAID’s Front Office and other staff for participation in events; provide on-site coordination of media. Follow up with media to ensure coverage of public events. Manage the posting of all event information and materials to the Mission website. Review and edit press releases, speeches, talking points, BCLs, and scene setters drafted by implementing partners for USAID events. Submit all press releases and interview requests – in-house and those drafted by implementing partners – to PAO (and LPA, when appropriate) for review and approval. Manage and maintain a calendar of USAID program events and its distribution within USAID/Mali, and to Embassy and USAID/W stakeholders. Photograph and capture video of USAID events. Serve as the Mission’s primary point of contact for publicity events and site visits by official visitors from the US Embassy, USAID/W, Congress, and other USG agencies or entities. Coordinate VIP site visits as necessary. Coordinate with the Embassy on schedules and logistics. Lead the preparation of briefing materials, scene setters, and other information products and processes to support these visits. Maintain a diverse list of potential site visit locations appropriate for a variety of high-level visitors. Perform other duties/activities that the US Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, Deputy Director, Supervisory Program Officer, USAID/W and circumstances may dictate.