ECO Sr. Communications Specialist

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Training Resources Group, Inc. (TRG) is an employee-owned consulting firm based in Arlington, Virginia. TRG provides organizational development and training services for U.S. government agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and private sector/commercial clients.

Position Title: Senior Communications Specialist, ECO Project

Project Background:

USAID’s Environmental Communication, Learning and Outreach (ECO) program began in October 2013. This program is part of the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment’s (E3) ongoing efforts to meet USAID objectives in training, communication, knowledge management and facilitation needs in the Environment and Natural Resources Management (ENRM) and Global Climate Change (GCC) sector areas. The two primary ECO program objectives are (1) to provide USAID staff and the broader development community with the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to design, implement, monitor and evaluate quality programs and (2) develop and enhance communications and information management systems that facilitate knowledge sharing and learning for improved development impact. ECO builds directly on the lessons learned and activities from the Capitalizing Knowledge, Connecting Communities (CK2C) contract (including the ENRM- Learning Initiative (ENRM-LI)) and the Office of Global Climate Change’s Training, Outreach and Communications Task Order (GCC TOC).

The work to be performed under this Task Order consists of the following four tasks:

• Task 1: Competency-based Training
• Task 2: Knowledge Management
• Task 3: Communications and Reporting
• Task 4: Facilitation

Implementation of the activities under each task will occur simultaneously. The ECO implementation team is currently comprised of Training Resources Group, Inc. (TRG), Engility/IRG and Forum One Communications.

 

Position Summary:

The ECO Senior Communications Specialist will be the primary task manager for Task 3, and will facilitate and coordinate a team of communication staff and consultants (e.g. writers, graphic designers, copy editors) on specific communication tasks for USAID.  He or she will be responsible for the day to day communications and reporting activities with the team’s respective counterparts in USAID. Working closely with the Chief of Party and the Operations Manager and the communications team, he/she will coordinate, organize, and scope out all related communications activities. The Senior Specialist will coordinate with subject matter experts in Global Climate Change, Forestry & Biodiversity, Land Tenure & Resource Management and other environmentally related fields to develop communication and outreach products and events. Communication activities will include the production of fact sheets, case studies, success stories, and other communication and outreach materials.  These resources will be produced and distributed via a range of media (e.g., print, web, social media), and may require quick-turn-around activities or products. The Senior Specialist will report to the Chief of Party and will work closely with the Operations Manager, as well as with other ECO Task Managers (Knowledge Management, Training and Facilitation) depending on the integrative nature of the communication products. International travel is expected to be extremely limited for this position.

This position is dedicated to the ECO Project which is due to expire in September 2018.

Primary Role and Responsibilities:

1. Manage all communication and outreach activities under ECO, working closely with a team of internal staff and external consultants to provide strategic direction for publications and launch events.
2. Advise and help conceptualize communication and outreach events (launch events, outreach efforts, communication strategies).
3. Coordinate, oversee and review the development of communication products (i.e., fact sheets, case studies, success stories, reports and other publications).
4. Manage client relations with USAID, and coordinate closely with Chief of Party and Operations Manager.
5. Manage agreed upon budgets for each communication activity.
6. Attend weekly ECO staff meetings.
7. Provide strategic communications input in other task areas and project-wide conceptual conversations.

Qualifications, Abilities, and Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, or related field.
• A minimum of 10-15 years of experience in a professional, strategic communications and messaging role.
• Excellent writing, editing, research and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with web communications (web sites, blogs, social media, etc.)
• At least five years of relevant management or supervisory experience.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and as a member of a team.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
  

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in related field.
• Technical knowledge of environmental subject matter (e.g. climate change, biodiversity, and/or forestry, etc.) strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with writing styles and approval processes in a large organization.
• Familiarity with USAID or other related international organizations.
• Some international and/or development experience.
  

Application Instructions

If you are interested in applying for this position, visit our website www.trg-inc.com to find out more information about our company.  Please send your resume and an original cover letter to hr@trg-inc.com. Please put “ECO Senior Communications Specialist” in the subject line of your e-mail. Your cover letter should specifically discuss why you feel you are a good fit for this opportunity. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. We will follow up with you should we feel that your background and experience meets the requirements of the position. No phone calls please.

TRG is an equal employment opportunity employer M/F/D/V. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age or disability. We assure you that your opportunity for employment with TRG depends solely on your qualifications.