This position is located in the new established Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Unit in the Policy Coordination and Program Support (PCPS) Office. It reports to the Senior Development Outreach and Communications Officer (S/DOC). Under the PCPS Director’s guidance, the DOC Unit provides significant support to the USAID/Haiti Front Office, composed of the USAID/Haiti Mission Director and two Deputy Mission Directors (collectively, the USAID Front Office or FO).

The incumbent serves as USAID’s Development Outreach and Communications Specialist (DOC), reporting to the S/DOC. The primary purpose of this position is to assist the S/DOC to manage USAID/Haiti’s public and local and international press relations, along with its development outreach and communications processes. The USG is Haiti’s largest international donor contributing to the economic and social development of the country.

The DOC Specialist assists to influence and impact the way USAID/Haiti programs are perceived at local, regional, and international levels. The incumbent supports efforts to ensure the United States, Caribbean, international community and Haitian public is aware of USAID/Haiti’s programs and of the Mission’s role in Haiti’s economic and social development. The DOC Specialist works with the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section (PD) to develop and disseminate press releases, radio public service announcements and broadcasts, and social media information, and organizes public events and communication activities designed to highlight U.S. foreign assistance to Haiti through USAID, including the bilateral program and any regional programs administered from Haiti or Washington.

The Deputy Specialist is responsible for helping the S/DOC to implement USAID/Haiti’s Outreach Strategy to broaden awareness of and support for U.S. Government foreign assistance programs, and their contribution to Haiti’s social and economic development. The major duties and responsibilities are: 1) Public Relations Management; 2) USAID Branding; 3) Program Management; and 4) Supervising Staff.

The incumbent manages public relations with a goal of increasing the understanding of who USAID is and what we do via public outreach, press releases, news articles, success stories, social media, broadcast media presentations, and publications on USAID’s vision, program accomplishments, and best practices. The incumbent must also ensure that all public information activities and products are consistent with State Department guidelines, procedures, and policies. The Public Relations Management includes the following subcomponents:

Social Media and Press Relations. Develops and maintains contacts with influential members of the international, national, and local press and social media with particular focus on public attitudes towards USAID policies and programs for Haiti’s reconstruction and development. To ensure a targeted, coherent, and consistent message from all USAID staff and partners, the DOC Specialist, in collaboration with the S/DOC, USAID’s FO, PCPS staff, and PD serves as the principal USAID contact with local and national media to develop feature stories on USAID/Haiti programs. The incumbent assists the S/DOC for outreach with the international press and media as needed.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, international relations, marketing or related field is required.

Evaluations: Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed candidates. If the interview is conducted, the interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

Experience: Minimum three years of progressively responsible professional experience in mass communications, media relations, and working the press required. Experience must include interacting with and advising senior level government officials or donor country representatives. Ability to work successfully in a team environment is required. Additional experience as a journalist, including English language journalism, is required. Experience working with an international organization is also required.

Job Knowledge: Must have broad knowledge of Haitian culture, politics, and major development issues. . Because the incumbent works across all technical offices, knowledge is required in a broad range of areas in the development sectors. These include economic growth, trade and investment, education, health, food security, natural disasters, justice, public sector executive and legislative function, good governance, human rights and civil society, media, and/or technical capacity building is a must. An understanding or the potential to acquire knowledge of U.S. foreign policy interests and objectives in Haiti and how the USAID

Mission portfolio addresses these objectives is required. A thorough knowledge of the Government of Haiti’s policies and programs and an understanding of the nature of Haiti’s development needs and the socio-cultural contexts in which the development needs can be addressed is necessary. A strong knowledge of public attitudes and techniques to incorporate these into Mission analytical planning and program development is essential. Also needs to be knowledgeable or have the potential to learn about the historical context and current events affecting USAID and U.S. Embassy operations.

Skills: The incumbent must have: Creativity and ability to plan, arrange and execute an overall information and outreach program.

Advanced knowledge of public affairs to make key decisions affecting the local, regional and international image of USAID/Haiti. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to handle sensitive issues diplomatically and to inspire confidence in Government, Embassy, journalists and other counterparts.

Ability to professionally and effectively interact and coordinate with U.S. Mission personnel at all levels, including the Ambassador, the USAID FO, and Minister and Cabinet-level GOH appointees Superior organizational skills and the ability to positively and professionally represent the USAID Mission

Ability to understand and describe USAID-funded development programs, Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior USG, GOH; contractors and grantees and Haitian private sector officials; Ability to develop and maintain extensive high level contacts in the media and information networks; Excellent knowledge of social media platforms and skilled in creating attractive social media entries to amplify USAID/Haiti’s work; Sound intellectual, professional and political judgment in order to advise on the reply to media responses; and Excellent computer, photography and digital manipulation skills, and all Microsoft Office applications.

Language: Fluent Level IV English, French and Haitian Creole is required for this position.

Post Entry Training: USAID will provide necessary training in aspects specific to USAID and Embassy communications policies, regulations and procedures, Development Outreach and Communications operations, and USAID branding standards. COR and GLAAS training will also be provided in order for the incumbent to perform program management duties.

1- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.

2- A Cover Letter or summary Statement Addressing the evaluation factors

3- Copies of Educational Certificates

4- List of a minimum of three (3) professional references with accurate telephone and e-mail information.

Eligible applicants are required to complete this on-line application process and submit any applicable required documents by [e.g., 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)] on the closing date of this announcement.

If applying on-line poses an extreme hardship, you must contact the human resources office no later than [e.g., two, three, etc.] business days prior to the closing date of this vacancy announcement. An alternative application method will be provided upon approval of the hardship notification. After this time, requests to apply via alternative methods will not be granted.

Please note that all required documents must be received by the closing date, via online or alternative methods, and that we will determine your eligibility and qualifications based solely on the material received by the closing date.