Within the Macfadden/PAE contract, the Humanitarian Information Team (HIT) comprises information officers (IOs), geographic information officers, and graphic designers who support the collection, dissemination, and communication of humanitarian information on behalf of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA). On average, the HIT produces more than 500 standard information products each year, including public fact sheets, internal situation reports, maps, talking points, memoranda, and cables, as well as USAID/BHA’s annual report. The HIT Manager is responsible for ensuring that HIT staff gather, disseminate, and present humanitarian information appropriately for public and internal government audiences and that the team effectively meets the USAID client’s needs.
The HIT Manager reports to the deputy program manager. The HIT Manager works closely with other Macfadden team leads and client leadership within USAID/BHA, particularly within the Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree and 15 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree and 12 years of relevant experience. Degree in, but not limited to, international relations, development, economics, food policy, or a specific geographic region.
Experience: A minimum of seven years of experience in the field of international affairs and/or humanitarian affairs, with demonstrated progressive responsibilities relating to strategic and internal communications, information management, and staff supervision. Experience must include three years of staff supervision, determining strategic objectives for a group, or other management experience; at least one year of cumulative overseas field experience in emergency or crisis environments; and experience navigating multi-stakeholder organizations. Experience working with US Government entities preferred, but not required.
Skills: Must have excellent leadership, writing, editing, and communication skills. Demonstrated knowledge of international humanitarian relief and assistance. Ability to meet deadlines and multitask; have a strong attention to detail; and work well with others in a fast-paced environment. Must demonstrate ability to manage a high-functioning team and work with a variety of personnel and officials at all levels of authority on sensitive and classified topics.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Direct supervision—including recruitment, hiring, and performance management—of HIT information officers, ensuring staff adhere to company policies and relevant government rules and regulations
- Direct supervision of and collaboration with HIT deputy management
- Recruitment and management of three graphic designers who support USAID/BHA, in coordination with client technical POC
- Determination of staff and resource allocations, including proactively seeking ways to increase the efficiency of the team and ensure all deadlines are met
- Liaison with client staff in USAID/BHA as needed
- Oversight of and contribution to the production of high-quality, professional humanitarian communication products in accordance with client priorities and strategic objectives
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Management
- Oversee recruitment, new hire onboarding, time and attendance, training, development of relevant scopes of work, performance management, and other administrative requirements for a large team within a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
- Serve as the main liaison between the HIT and senior USAID staff to develop and refine deliverables, communicate process changes, advocate for staff, and ensure client information needs are effectively met
- In coordination with client leadership, proactively identify gaps or inefficiencies in operations and develop or refine team guidance, processes, and protocols accordingly
- Regularly communicate with the contract program manager and deputy program manager on issues related to administrative, programmatic, or operational support
- Produce quarterly reports and other contract deliverables, as required
- Collaborate with client leadership and team members to develop staffing plans that ensure portfolios and relevant core response positions—including positions on USAID/BHA Response Management Teams (RMTs) and Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs)—have continuous coverage
- Oversee and facilitate administrative processes for staff travel—including routine and rapid emergency deployment—in support of client operations
- Oversee general workflow of information officers based on client information needs and demands, in coordination with staff, HIT deputy management, and client leadership
- Facilitate a supportive and cohesive team environment, including attention to staff care and well-being, and proactively identify professional development and leadership opportunities for team members
Quality Control
- Ensure that all products meet strict editorial standards and branding guidelines and that all deadlines, including short-fuse deadlines, are met without sacrificing quality
- Develop fluency in USAID/BHA reporting systems and processes for response and budget tracking to inform quality control of contract deliverables
- Provide direction and oversight on annual reports and other large-scale deliverables
- Write and copy-edit a range of humanitarian information products, as needed
Requirements
Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government issued Secret clearance for the duration of your employment. One of the requirements for a US Government Secret clearance is US citizenship. Only applicants who currently hold an active Secret or higher-level security clearance or who are eligible to receive a Secret security clearance will be considered for this position.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. This position description reflects Macfadden’s assignment of essential functions; nothing in this job description restricts the Company’s latitude to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This position description reflects Macfadden’s assignment of essential functions; nothing in this job description restricts the Company’s latitude to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.