Senior Communications and Outreach Officer West Africa Trade and Investment Hub at Creative Associates International

Project Summary:

The objective of the West Africa Trade and Investment Activity is to improve private sector competitiveness with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria and promoting West Africa’s regional and international trade. The Activity comprises of three main components: (i) design of a Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships; (ii) administration of the Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance (TA) that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve USAID’s trade and food security objectives. The Trade Hub will contribute to both USAID/Nigeria’s Feed the Future objectives related to increasing the agricultural competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria as well as USAID/West Africa’s objective to increase broad-based growth and resilience.

Position Summary:

The Senior Communications and Outreach Officer will be responsible for leading and managing the public affairs and information operations of a USAID-funded rural livelihoods project in West Africa.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Senior Communications and Outreach Officer will report directly to the Operations Manager.  She/he will collaborate and work closely with the Communications and Outreach Officer.

Primary Responsibilities:

Planning & management

• Create and implement a comprehensive annual communications plan that aligns with WAHIT’s workplan that achieves the program’s internal external communications goals;
• Ensure implementation of USAID’s Branding and Marking Plan as contracted;
• Oversees the program’s website, newsletter and social media channels, providing guidance to the Communications Officer about content;
• Contract, supervise and/or collaborate with outside consultants (such as translators, photographers, videographers, etc.);
• Coordinate with implementing partners and host governments with regards to communications activities; and
• Advise program staff on communications techniques, opportunities and potential challenges when implementing activities in the communities served;
• Collaborate with HQ Communications team.

USAID reporting

• Promote communication between WATIH and the West Africa-based USAID Missions, including project content suitable for dissemination on USAID channels;
• Write and/or edit USAID quarterly reports;
• Provide editorial support (such as editing) for major USAID-required project documents;
• Support the Chief of Party (COP) in consolidating the project’s reporting requirements; and
• Ensure that reports are submitted to USAID on a timely fashion;

Writing & editing

• Identify stories, photo essays and other content that would appear in the newsletter and website;
• Write selected stories for publication in WATIH and other channels; and
• Collaborate with HQ Communications to create and disseminate content through Creative’s channels.

Outreach & events

• Implement non-written elements of the outreach plan, such as radio and television material; produces posters, signs, displays, media campaigns, etc.;
• Identify existing industry events suitable for WATIH’s possible participation; and
• Oversees the communications aspects of WAHIT events.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A minimum of four (4) years of work experience in Communications or other relevant fields, including journalism or public relations;
• Experience supporting large project communications departments and activities;
• Experience in social media management and content production;
• Experience in developing strategic communications plans;
• Experience in training and/or mentoring staff;
• Experience in dealing with media companies/organizations;
• Language: English required (French helpful); and
• Strong English writing and editing skills

Desired skills and qualification

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite or similar programs
• Experience with an international aid organization or non-profit helpful