Technical Advisor II: Communication Advisor

Office of Country Support, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Location: Washington, DC

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-II-P2-094

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with CDC Development Solutions and Management Systems International. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

BACKGROUND:

The Bureau for Global Health (GH) is the USAID/Washington operating unit charged with providing technical support to improve the health of people in the developing world by expanding health services, including family planning/reproductive health and maternal/child health; strengthening health systems; and addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, avian influenza and other public health threats. GH’s primary role in the health program area is to strengthen field operations, promote research and technical innovation, and provide leadership and training.

Within GH, the Office of Country Support (OCS) supports the vision, implementation and analysis of the Agency’s health initiatives (e.g., the Global Health Initiative) and Agency-wide priorities (e.g., USAID Forward). The OCS serves as a nexus for informing and coordinating with field programs and strategy development and implementation; as such, it is responsible for direct communication with USAID mission health teams. To undertake this function, OCS manages the USAID/Washington Country Health Team System, working closely with GH staff and across USAID/Washington to provide strong strategic support to the field and to conduct analysis and documentation of the Agency best practices. Primarily, the OCS:

1. Coordinates strategic technical and management assistance, talent and knowledge management.
2. Ensures high-quality information and advice on country context, issues and challenges.
3. Provides leadership in interagency policy development and field implementation.
4. Is at the vanguard for sharing knowledge and influencing strategic reforms, ensuring interface and impact in country programs.

INTRODUCTION:

As a catalytic office working across GH and regional bureaus, OCS is the critical link for ensuring strong support and implementation of health programming. The OCS plays an essential role as the primary contact, advocate and principal coordinator of health technical, strategic and programmatic support for USAID mission health programs. OCS staff has two primary interrelated responsibilities: 1) developing tools, systems and policy; and 2) supporting missions and the US Government (USG) on Global Health Initiative program implementation, within USAID and interagency.

The Communication Advisor will strengthen communication channels between Washington and missions; ensure strong communication and learning between missions; and strengthen the knowledge of OCS’s work within the Bureau and Agency. S/he will receive day to day guidance from the Senior Advisor.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Communication Advisor is responsible for:

Communications Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating an OCS communication strategy for GH Bureau and Mission-based audiences.
• Analyzing the OCS communication strategy for consistency with GH’s Bureau’s strategic vision.
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan to advance OCS’s brand identity; broadening awareness of its programs and priorities; and increasing the visibility of its efforts across key stakeholder audiences.
• Work with leadership and staff to identify and address internal communications opportunities and solutions, and defining and executing appropriate strategies to support them. 

Communications Operations

• Developing, distributing, managing, and coordinating all OCS communications output including print, marketing and electronic materials, (including but not limited to e-newsletters, GH-related websites and new media).
• Managing OCS messaging and branding of OCS responsibilities, successes, and projects to a variety of internal (GH Bureau) and external (regional bureaus, other pillar bureaus and field missions) audiences. This may be accomplished by updating OCS’s section of the GH website and providing posting on OCS’s work as needed; and keeping abreast of new information (e.g., article links, stories, events) related to OCS’s work. Developing and advancing Global Health’s south-to-south learning and sharing opportunities.
• Preparing talking points, speeches, presentations and other material as needed in support of OCS management.
• Publishing videos and photography on organizational website and blogs.
• Establishing communications vehicles to create momentum and awareness as well as to test the effectiveness of communications activities.
• Coordinating and organizing meetings that engage OCS’s discreet audiences.

Bureau/Agency Collaboration

• Liaising with key technical and communications staff across the GH Bureau and throughout the Agency to coordinate communication efforts. Working collaboratively with USAID communication teams/staff.
• Promoting high performance in communication skills within the Office/Bureau/missions (e.g., reporting, blogging, posting, success stories) and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality – through training and in-service learning.
• Providing technical advice to OCS and field staff on the use of key communications tools using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis.

Professional Skills Development

• Keeping up to date on the latest communication strategies and information related to OCS work.
• Deepening knowledge of developing and implementing a communications strategy in a complex international organization.
• Participating in interagency working groups and professional meetings as appropriate to SOW.
• Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.

International travel approximately 20%.

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Senior Advisor’s own interests.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field including journalism, communications, or a related degree.
• Minimum five (5) years’progressively responsible experience in the communications field, planning, writing, editing, and producing communications through a variety of print and online media, with new media technology utilization, with at least two (2) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a comprehensive strategic communications program to advance an organization’s mission and goals.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships and demonstrating influence with staff at all organizational levels. .
• Proven creativity in the utilization of new media technologies for internal communications purposes.
• Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
• Experience in coaching team members in the importance and value of strategic communications.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to be self-reliant and results oriented.
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs.
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team player who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical initiatives.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to convey messages through clear and concise writing.
• Proficiency in desktop publishing and photo editing applications. Knowledge of html and website management critical.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs. Please view the 2013 GHFP-II Benefits Booklet.

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time October 18, 2013.

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