United States of America: Online Communications Specialist (USAID/CIDI)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Key Internal Interfaces: USAID CIDI Press and Media Officer, USAID/OFDA Online Communications Specialist, USAID CIDI Director, USAID/OFDA Strategic Communications Team Leader

Key External Interfaces: The Public

The Online Communications Specialist is responsible for overseeing and growing the USAID Center for International Disaster Information (USAID CIDI)’s online and social media equities in close collaboration and coordination with USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), as well as crafting a cohesive online presence across multiple platforms to engage new audiences and dispense information in a timely manner.

Duties include: messaging USAID CIDI’s activities online, creating new online content, maintaining web pages, and expanding USAID CIDI’s social media following. Specifically, this position will work to organize and manage USAID CIDI social media activities including initiating, planning and scheduling tweets on USAID CIDI’s Twitter account; curating its blog; outreach to bloggers, diaspora and student groups on USAID CIDI’s behalf; managing USAID CIDI’s Facebook sites and YouTube channel; and searching for and posting appropriate material for USAID CIDI’s social media outlets and online. Additional duties will involve support to USAID CIDI’s Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, including diaspora research and outreach on social media. This position is also responsible for critical messaging, marketing, and program management tasks in support of USAID CIDI’s annual PSAid competition.

Key Accountabilies

Work is performed under the supervision of the USAID CIDI Director, Deputy Director of USAID/OFDA’s Humanitarian Policy and Global Engagement (HPGE) Division, and in close coordination with the USAID/OFDA Strategic Communications Team.

Essential Functions:

1.Online Outreach and Maintenance

a. Create, modify, and keep up-to-date information and materials on the USAID CIDI website.

b. Produce website and blog content in line with USAID CIDI messaging and strategy, facilitating strategic blog postings from within the team and outside guest bloggers.

c. Apply editorial processes to systemically keep the website free of errors and up-to-date.

d. Liaise closely with the USAID/OFDA Online Communications Specialist to ensure USAID CIDI content aligns to USAID/OFDA messaging.

2.Social Media Outreach

a. Populate USAID CIDI’s social media outlets with up-to-date content; engage with USAID CIDI staff, USAID/OFDA Strategic Communications Team; humanitarian aid organizations, and other relevant parties to obtain content; monitor comments and mentions; respond in a timely manner.

b. Produce daily social media content—in coordination with USAID/OFDA Strategic Communications Team—that will increase engagement and follower count.

c. Lead the creation of social media campaigns and toolkits to highlight specific USAID CIDI activities and/or for the amplification of USAID/OFDA’s events in coordination with USAID/OFDA Strategic Communications Team.

d. Track metrics, as well as monitor and participate in relevant online conversations.

e. Monitor and analyze social media trends to lead on ways to keep USAID CIDI’s social media platforms in line with current trends; look for new engagement opportunities and messaging methods.

1. Strategic Communications

a. Represent USAID CIDI during relevant USAID/OFDA or U.S. government meetings pertaining to social media and digital communications.

b. Work with USAID CIDI leadership to identify, develop, and implement USAID CIDI’s strategic communications goals; track and determine impact of targeted strategies.

c. Work with USAID CIDI leadership and USAID/OFDA Strategic Communications Team to adapt USAID CIDI’s Online Communications Strategy to reflect changing priorities and evolving needs.

d. Develop new strategies in coordination to expand USAID CIDI’s public and diaspora outreach.

e. Coordinate closely with USAID/OFDA, USAID’s Bureau for Legislative Affairs, and the USAID Social Media Team to ensure USAID CIDI’s online messaging aligns with USAID priorities.

1. Other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, social media, digital communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, international relations, political science, or a related field)

Experience:

· A minimum of four years of relevant work experience, including at least two years of prior online communications and social media experience (managing social media platforms, content development, website maintenance);

· Experience working with on international humanitarian and disaster issues or at a U.S. government agency and/or media outlet is strongly desired.

Skills:

· Demonstrated experience and ability to develop social media content, create social media campaigns/toolkits, and engage with strategic partners to amplify messages and grow an organization's online brand;

· Demonstrated experience and ability to create and/or develop new web content and pages—including graphics—as well as ability to populate and maintain websites;

· Demonstrated ability to follow social media trends and successfully apply them to a social media strategy or campaign, thereby increasing online engagement;

· Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment to conceptualize creative online content and communications products across a variety of media forums;

· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills, including the ability to rapidly produce clear, concise, and professional copy for varied audiences;

· Strong organizational and planning skills, as well as demonstrated ability to work under pressure and under tight deadlines while maintaining an attention to detail;

· Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as independently;

· Ability to develop and grow relationships pertaining to social media and online communications with stakeholders, including major media outlets, U.S. government agencies, and social media entities;

· Proven ability to effectively work in rapidly changing, high-pressure situations that may exceed normal business hours.

· Able to travel domestically and internationally as needed;

· Experience with:

o Microsoft Office and its components (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

o Microsoft Outlook

o Photoshop Pro, Aperture, or equivalent Adobe Suite

o WordPress

o Social Media and web monitoring / analytics platforms

Citizenship is required; selected candidate must be able to qualify for a government sponsored security clearance.

Application Instructions:

Application materials must be submitted via the following link: https://chp.tbe.taleo.net/chp03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=MCFA&cws=1&rid=923

In addition to your resume you MUST submit a cover letter responding to the following questions:

1. Please provide examples, in which you've had to develop new web content, generate social media content, create social media campaigns/toolkits, and engage with strategic partners to amplify messages and grow an organization's online brand. What was the result of your efforts?
2. Please provide examples of your ability to work in a team environment to brainstorm creative online content and communications products. How did this team environment help you and what were the results?

Resumes not accompanied by a cover letter will not be considered. Cover letters that do NOT include answers to both questions will not move to the next round of consideration.