Development Outreach Communication (DOC) Specialist at the United States Agency for International Development

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Development Outreach Communication (DOC) Specialist

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Employment Type: Contract
Period of Performance: Five (5) years period, start as soon as clearances are received.

Details

• The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on behalf of the American people promotes and demonstrates democratic values abroad, and advances a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America’s foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

• USAID/Nigeria is looking forward to recruiting a suitably qualified person for the position of Development Outreach Communication (DOC) Specialist to work in the Program Office to support strategic communications efforts that advance this mission.

Period of Performance:

• Five (5) years period, start as soon as clearances are received.

Market Value:

• $84,546 to $109,908 equivalent to GS-13. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the official USAID Worksite, or the approved worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

Eligible Offerors:
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or resident aliens currently residing in Nigeria or Eligible Family Members (EFM) only. Resident Hire Personal Services Contractors (RHPSC) are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States who, at the time of hiring, possess a valid work permit and reside in Nigeria:

• As a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. Government Agency; or
• Under any US. Government-financed contract or agreement; or
• Under any other contract or agreement that provides for repatriation to the United States; or
• For reasons other than for employment with a U.S. Government Agency. U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) will be given hiring preference. USEFMs are U.S. Citizen eligible family members of government employees assigned to the American Embassy Mission to Nigeria under Chief of Mission Authority. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST provide photocopies of their U.S. Passport with a valid Nigerian Visa and current Work Permit. Prior to employment, the successful Resident Hire candidate must be able to enter Nigeria on their U.S. Passport with the Nigerian visa and work permit. Should an eligible candidate prefer to be hired as an Eligible Family Member, s/he must provide a copy of his/her family member’s travel orders assigning the employee to Post. “Work Permit requirement is only for non-EFM candidates.

Security Level Required:

• The selected candidate must be able to obtain a security clearance at the “Employment Authorization/Facility Access” level.

Relationships with USAID and Others:

• The DOC Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the CCNPSC DOC Specialist to accomplish assignments.
• S/he will engage with other PRO staff, USAID senior mission leadership, USAID technical staff, USAID Implementing Partners, and U.S. Embassy Abuja and U.S. Consulate Lagos Public Affairs teams.
• S/he may work also with Washington-based communications staff in the Africa Bureau and pillar bureaus, including the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs.

Statement of Duties to be Performed
Planning, Organization, and Materials Management: 35%

• Coordinates with USAID technical teams to identify upcoming events to be included on USAID/Nigeria’s Events Calendar.
• Supports the Senior DOC Coordinator with planning, coordinating, and conducting USAID/Nigeria’s Communications Working Group with USAID Implementing Partners. Files and organizes DOC materials in USAID’s official systems, including documents, photographic imagery, and video or audio files.
• Assembles and posts content for the USAID website and social platforms.
• Assists DOC and PRO leadership with special assignments, as requested.

Internal Communications: 30%

• Prepares, reviews, and/or edits written materials for senior USAID and Embassy officials! participation in external events, meetings, or other engagements. This may include decision memos, briefing checklists, speeches, talking points, background information, or activity summaries.
• Ensures that briefing materials use correct grammar, style, and formatting, contain all required and pertinent information, and are organized appropriately.
• Engages USAID technical and support offices to gather content for USAID’s “Week in Review” or other standard reports. Revises and finalizes based on feedback. Delivers to senior management for official submission to internal USAID/Washington stakeholders.
• Updates PRO’s Google Site with approved DOC materials, including fact sheets, templates, and guidance.
• Shares information with USAID staff about this Google Site to improve internal access to and knowledge about the resources.

Public Information and Events: 35%

• Coordinates with USAID staff to develop communications materials for public distribution, ensuring materials follow USAID and U.S. Mission Abuja guidance and support U.S. Mission communications priorities.
• Helps USAID technical offices and implementing partners identify material for multimedia storytelling and assists with preparing it for dissemination on a variety of public platforms.
• Supports planning, scheduling, publicizing, and/or conducting events to showcase USAID programs to the public, including signing ceremonies, inaugurations, activity launches or closing ceremonies, and other USAID-sponsored public events.
• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
• Supports creation, design, editing, and quality control for external communications materials, including fact sheets, infographics, stories, videos, and presentations. Ensures materials provide an accurate description of USAID/Nigeria’s activities and achievements to increase external stakeholder awareness of USAID’s work in Nigeria.
• Applies knowledge of PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, and additional layout and design formats to draft, review, and/or revise outreach and communications material.

Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Public Relations, Journalism, International Development / Relations, English, Marketing, Communications, or a related field is required (5%).
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience applicable to this position, in the fields of communications, journalism, public relations, international development/relations, marketing, or events management is required (15%).
• Job Knowledge: Must have an excellent knowledge of English grammar and U.S. word usage and spelling; familiarity with the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of effective communication; and a basic understanding of issues related to international development
• . This includes an understanding of the use of written communication to effectively transmit easy-to-understand information about complex development programs/projects/activities. Knowledge about USAID programs, policies, and operations is highly desirable (25%).

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and customer service skills are essential for this position, demonstrating the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships within a multicultural work environment, including with USAID and other Embassy colleagues USAID implementing partner staff, and others, as required.
• The work requires excellent oral and written communications skills, demonstrating the ability to prepare high-quality written materials and the ability to obtain, organize, and analyze information for outreach purposes.
• Applicants may be asked to take a written test(s) to demonstrate communication skills.
• The position requires strong organizational and task management skills, demonstrating the ability to take initiative, work independently once guidance is provided, and manage several tasks simultaneously and under pressure to meet deadlines.
• The position also requires competence in using various computer software applications, including Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Email), is required. In addition, a basic familiarity with Web design, Dreamworks, Acrobat, or other design software is highly desired (30%).

Communication and Language Skills:

• Fluency (level 4) in English is required. English writing, reading, and oral skills are required and may be tested (25%).

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should send their proposals to: [email protected] using “72062024R00002” as the subject of the mail.

• Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at Link.
• Offeror submissions must clearly reference the solicitation number-72062024R00002 on all offeror-submitted documents.
• A type-written and signed cover letter of no more than two (2) pages specifically applying for this position and addressing the minimum requirements and evaluation factors of the position.
• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume, which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience, and career achievements.
• Offers must provide a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) references within the last five years from the offeror’s professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. Three (3) references must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.
• Hard copies of diploma, certificates and relevant degrees should be included in the application package to corroborate the CV/Resume.
• Submit all electronic (e-mail) submissions to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats. Application packages must be submitted electronically to [email protected].

Application Deadline 27th December, 2023, at 4:30 pm.