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Title

Communications Specialist, Energy & Infrastructure, ECO Project

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Sustainability, Climate, CSR, EMS
Location Virginia - America North
Town/City Arlington
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Mid Level
Deadline 31/03/2016
Company Name Training Resources Group, Inc.
Contact Name Lukas Williams-Padin
Telephone 703-875-8909
Fax 703-875-9409
Email hr@trg-inc.com
Website Further Details / Applications
Training Resources Group, Inc. logo
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Description

Position Summary:

The Environmental Communications, Learning and Outreach (ECO) program is designed to assist the USAID Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and the Environment (E3) in meeting its objectives in training, communications, knowledge management, and facilitation in the Environment and Natural Resources Management (ENRM), Global Climate Change (GCC), and Energy and Infrastructure (EI) sectors.  The ECO program provides USAID staff and the broader development community with the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to design, implement, monitor and evaluate quality programming, as well as develop and enhance communications and information management systems that facilitate knowledge sharing and learning for improved development impact. The Communications Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing the E3/EI’s communication strategy through close collaboration with the Energy Division (E) Chief and Engineering and Urban Division (EU) Chief.

The position serves as the principal liaison with the USAID/E3 Planning, Learning, and Communication Office (PLC) and the USAID Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA).  The E3/EI Office consists of 27 specialists in clean energy, engineering and urban planning to support the design, implementation and monitoring of USAID infrastructure projects, including high profile initiatives such as Power Africa, Partnership for Growth and Powering Agriculture.  With an annual budget of approximately $12.8 million in fiscal year 2015, the EI Office is an essential service provider, repository of technical expertise, and “force multiplier” for the agency’s missions world-wide.  The Communications Specialist will report to and be supported by the ECO Communications and Reporting Task Manager, in close collaboration with the ECO Chief of Party and ECO Operations Manager.

 This position is dedicated to the ECO project and is contingent upon continued project/client need and is expected to last at least one-year.  The individual will be based out of Training Resources Group Headquarters in Arlington, VA but will spend significant time at USAID’s Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC.

 

Primary Role and Responsibilities:

 Strategy, Research, Network and Collection (35%)

  • Lead development and implementation of a communications strategy for the EI Office, for both internal and external audiences;
  • Lead EI Office communication efforts, ensuring that EI Office projects and work are effectively described to target audiences and to the general public;
  • Independently plan, develop and manage the EI Office public information program, providing vision and guidance to EI Divisions on preparation of information products;
  • Identify target audiences (e.g. US Congressional staff, USAID Bureaus and Mission staff, other US Government Agencies, and the media) and maintain personal contact with these target audience members in order to tailor an appropriate strategy to meet their needs;
  • Lead design, development and maintenance of internal and external usaid.gov websites on energy and infrastructure, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Promote and market the website to target audiences; and
  • Design and maintain database of EI Office contacts and correspondents.

 

 Drafting & Managing Content (35%)

  • Draft/create or edit new public information materials such as USAID infrastructure success stories, fact sheets, articles, etc.;
  • Respond to inquiries from the public and target audiences for in-depth target information;
  • Assist with the design and preparation of internal communications products such as briefing books and portfolio review presentations and help polish EI staff external presentations and other communications products;
  • Establish and maintain a database of relevant infrastructure-related development data, policies, press clips and success stories suitable for the website;
  • Draft speeches and talking points for the EI Office Director, Division Chiefs and others;
  • Coordinate outreach to the Missions to alert them of specific EI resources, events, and news;
  • Manage social media and help push out infrastructure related news and stories, including interfacing with the GCC social media campaigns; and
  • Assist with organizing EI events, such as E3 Open House exhibits, retreats, project- specific events, etc.

 

 Program Management (25%)

  • Collect and synthesize up-to-date information on the range of USAID infrastructure activities through regular consultations with Bureau and Mission staff and partners and review of performance reports;
  • Prepare and regularly update written briefing materials on EI projects;
  • As necessary, liaise with communications officers of EI implementing partners to assist them with applying USAID communications and branding rules and procedures;
  • Prepare reports for USAID field offices, describing major infrastructure programmatic issues, events and accomplishments;
  • Manage and update programmatic databases (e.g. EI Office performance data); and
  • Keep abreast of LPA and PLC clearance processes and guidance, and assist EI staff with obtaining appropriate clearances for their communications products.

 

 Other Duties as Required (5%)

  • Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time and filed on the shared file drive.

 

Qualifications, Abilities, and Education Requirements:

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, journalism, information management or related field;
  • Prior work experience: At least six to eight years of progressively responsible work experience with demonstrated success in a communications role. Previous exposure to technical content related to energy, engineering and urban development in developing countries desirable. Previous experience with USAID preferred;
  • Job Knowledge: Must develop thorough understanding of EI Office and the broader portfolio of USAID infrastructure activities. Knowledge of international and local information network is required.
  • Must be able to obtain a secret security clearance.

 

Desired Skills:

  • Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to write for a variety of audiences and communications media;
  • Able to work cooperatively with multiple staff members with diverse communication needs;
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task;
  • Detail oriented, flexible and able to work effectively under tight deadlines;
  • Tech savvy, including experience with web content management systems, social media and email marketing services;
  • Able to take initiative and work independently;
  • Able to regularly monitor and evaluate communications analytics; and
  • Be creative and resourceful

 

TRG is an equal employment opportunity employer.  We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age or disability.

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