Communication & Reporting Officer

Job Description

BACKGROUND

Creative Associates International Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services company specializing in international development in education, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State. Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Description

USAID/OTI’s Littorals Regional Initiative (LRI) program provides support to local counterparts across specific West African coastal states to withstand the increasing pressures of VEOs by addressing instability factors, including localized conflict, ethnoreligious marginalization, lack of understanding of the violent extremist threat, local grievances against governance structures, and weak social cohesion. LRI complements the broader USAID presence in the region by providing short-term, targeted programming that reduces windows for violent extremist expansion and helps national governments and local communities build prevention capacity.

Position Summary

The Communication & Reporting Officer plays a critical role in the identification, coordination, management, production, and distribution of high-quality content related to the USAID/OTI Littorals Regional Initiative (LRI) program. Working in close collaboration with program staff, the Chief of Party, and HQ colleagues, the Communication & Reporting Officer will develop an editorial calendar of content – written stories, videos, photography, PowerPoint presentations, and more – that demonstrates to internal and external audiences the successes, results, and challenges of our work in Coastal West Africa. This is a hands-on position, and the selected candidate will be expected also to write and produce her/his own written and video projects.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

This position reports to the Deputy Chief of Party Programs and coordinates closely with the headquarters-based Senior Director of Communications. The position is based in Accra, with travel expected across Benin, Ghana, and Togo, including the northern border areas of these countries.

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here .

Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Consistent with USAID/OTI’s strategy and goals, the Communication & Reporting Officer is expected to perform the following duties:

Management :

In collaboration with your supervisor, program colleagues, and HQ staff, develop a production process.
Develop and take responsible for the content calendar.
Devise content distribution plans with other team members that leverage in-house and external platforms (such as social media, graphics, and email newsletters).
Ensure the communications content, materials, and messaging quality and consistency.
Responsible for meeting USAID’s published branding and marking standards and upholding Creative’s communications policies.
Collaborate closely with regional program colleagues and HQ in the United States.
Provide relevant expert service to the program team on reporting and communications and act as facilitator or trainer as needed.
Devise a plan to identify, recruit and supervise consultant contributors (videographers, editors, graphic designers).
Review and distill reports and data from various internal and external sources that would be presented compellingly and succinctly for USAID and the program staff.
Proofread key reports that USAID requires.

Original content :
Oversee and be responsible for the project’s planning, development, and on-time delivery of quality content – video, photography, and written materials.
Organize and participate in pre-production, production, and postproduction coordination, including logistics and security briefings, and alert the appropriate team members of updates and changes.
Plan, write and produce videos, written stories, and photo essays.
Edit success stories that follow USAID guidelines.
Ensure that all original content adheres to a style that reflects the scope and results of the program’s work.
Review, edit, and pass along for approval content from the full-time employee and contributing consultants.

Supervise consultants and freelancers, including videographers, video editors, and copy editors.
Work on multimedia packages, including preproduction (planning, logistics, consultants, etc.), field production and post-production (script writing, video editor, approvals, etc.).

Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, International Relations, or a related field.
At least five (5) years of professional experience in journalism, communications, or public relations with a significant portfolio of published material.
Proven English-language writing and editing skills.
Ability to identify content ideas, find interesting angles, and tell compelling, accurate, authentic, and respectful stories.
Experience planning, coordinating, and carrying out video productions, including script writing, interaction with contract videographers and video editors.
Well-versed in the latest electronic publishing and graphic methods.
Ability to build relationships and establish rapport with colleagues in person and virtually.
Ability to work independently and contribute to larger team projects.
Availability to travel to field locations in Coastal West Africa to support communications efforts.
Existing work authorization for Ghana.

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

Experience in international development or international affairs, preferably in a communications role on USAID-funded projects, is a plus
Conversational spoken French preferred.
Video editing skills are desired, videography and photography skills a plus. Experience in Abode Creative Suite, including Premiere and Photoshop.

Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.