United States of America: Information Officer

Macfadden is seeking Information Officers to provide information support to USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) in the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance. USAID/OFDA provides humanitarian assistance for the U.S. Government (USG) in response to natural disasters and complex emergencies. As part of a regional team based in Washington, D.C., or serving on disaster response teams in Washington or overseas, Information Officers monitor and report on humanitarian conditions and response activities. Information Officers produce a wide range of public and internal information products and are required to conceive and develop charts, graphs, and other visuals as needed.

Willingness to serve on extended international deployments (up to 12 weeks or more at a time) to disaster zones, including conflict-affected areas, often on short notice, is required. Travel is approximately 50 percent of the year.

Qualified candidates should possess excellent writing, editing, and verbal communications skills and have exceptional attention to detail. Candidates must be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and have the ability to work under tight deadlines in an extremely fast-paced and collaborative environment. Foreign language ability preferred.

Duties include but are not limited to:**

• Collecting and synthesizing information pertaining to humanitarian emergencies and response efforts, and drawing upon that information to draft, edit, appropriately format, and disseminate a wide range of internal and external information products in Washington, D.C., and overseas
• Attending meetings in Washington, D.C., and in disaster zones and collaborating closely with information counterparts from other USG agencies, the UN, and non-governmental organizations to ensure that all relevant humanitarian information is obtained and communicated to USAID/OFDA staff
• Upon the request of USAID/OFDA staff, gathering information for or participating in field assessments, meetings, and site visits overseas
• Preparing talking points, memos, PowerPoint presentations, official cables, and other correspondence
• Assisting with the preparation of agendas and briefings for USG officials interested in humanitarian issues

EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree in international affairs or related discipline
• 2–4 years of work experience

SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Working knowledge of and interest in humanitarian issues
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
• Overseas experience
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and meet deadlines in a challenging, fast-paced environment

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To be considered for this position, you MUST submit the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample

Please combine your resume, cover letter, and writing sample (instructions below) into one PDF or Word document and submit it through the online application system when prompted to upload a CV.

The writing sample must be an original briefing memorandum of 350 words or less for senior USG officials describing humanitarian conditions and response activities in a specific country (outside the United States) following a natural disaster. *Please include a word count at the conclusion of the memo.*

Only applications with a resume, cover letter, and writing sample submitted will be considered; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

U.S. citizenship is required; selected candidate must be able to qualify for a government sponsored Secret Clearance.

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 anytime.

Information Officer