Senior Communications Director – US

PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. The continent-wide program is USAID’s flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative and will expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States.

Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.

ROLE’S PURPOSE:
The Senior Communications Director will manage all areas of project communications and reporting, internally and externally. S/he will update and oversee the implementation of ATI’s communications strategy. S/he will ensure that the project team generates pertinent, value-added information, based on data, lessons learned and best practices that support ATI’s learning agenda. S/he will manage a team of communications professionals in D.C. and on the African continent to prepare communications products based on this information and disseminate these products regularly to USAID and stakeholders. S/he will also maintain a resources portal of ATI products and relevant stakeholder work on the Continent, and directly circulate resources as appropriate. The ATI learning agenda will help project team members, USAID and continental stakeholders make the necessary adjustments of program activities to changing operational contexts and needs as implementation progresses and work smarter to accomplish their development goals. This approach will also demonstrate project accountability and effectiveness.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Senior Director of Communications will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following detailed tasks:

• Operationalize ATI’s communications strategy, including proactive development and dissemination of communications and knowledge management materials and strategic messaging for a wide variety of audiences.
• Work with ATI programmatic staff to develop and produce communications, knowledge management and outreach material.
• Coordinate with technical and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) team to produce weekly, quarterly, annual reports and ad hoc reports as need by USAID, ensuring the inclusion of quality MEL data.
• Coordinate with technical and MEL team to produce external ATI communications products, including updates, blogs, success stories, press releases, videos and other content as required.
• Support the representation of ATI at large scale events and meetings as required and liaise with relevant stakeholders, including institutional and private sector partners, to increase visibility and maximize coordination.
• Review materials generated for ATI sponsored events such as national and international trade fairs – organize, brand, produce required marketing materials, and facilitate business participation.
• Develop, approve and update promotional materials to ensure program materials are branded correctly and consistently.
• Ensure program events and successes are appropriately promoted through local media, distribution to USAID, and posted on appropriate websites.
• Serve as liaison with media groups to cover specific and relevant project activities, such as opening and closing ceremonies.
• Contribute towards the production of briefing books for VIPs participating in ATI sponsored events.
• Monitor press coverage of ATI efforts and share materials with relevant USAID and Prosper Africa counterparts.
• Lead and mentor ATI’s communications team, building their capacity to develop content from project activities; support the team with templates and reporting guidelines as needed.
• Manage a stable of STTAs and communications firms to ensure ATI has adequate surge capacity and necessary expertise in videography, graphic design, media relations, event management, and web content development, as applicable.
• Engage key stakeholders and members of the partner network through a regular communication. Develop scopes of work and budgets in response to new USAID requests for communications support and ensuring quality implementation and careful budget management.
• Provide strategic communications advice to clients and staff and deliver high-quality communications products.

REPORTING:
The Director of Communications will report to the ATI Deputy Chief of Party.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA in a relevant field and at least 10 years of experience in communications for NGOs, social impact businesses, international development agencies, or government.
• Experience with USAID required, demonstrating an understanding of its messaging style, priorities, processes, workflows, and sensitivities.
• Demonstrated client management skills and an orientation toward relationship-building and trust.
• Experience hiring and managing strong communications staff members and STTAs and helping them grow their skillset while meeting client needs.
• Excellent writing, editing, and pitching skills with a demonstrated track record of compelling placements that reach strategic goals. Facility with high-profile ghostwriting, speechwriting, and taskers.
• Experience leading the production of photography and videography projects.
• Experience developing and executing strategic communications plans that integrate press, social media, email marketing, web development, events, and conferences.
• Able and willing to work in a fast-paced environment and multitask.

Compensation & Benefits

For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between 150,000 – $175,000.

Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S.-based employees will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, and parental leave, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI Organization and Values

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on th e frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.