Senior Communications Specialist
| Location | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Date Posted | July 11, 2020 |
| Category |
Communication
|
| Job Type |
Full-time
|
| Currency | ZAR |
Description
Duties & Responsibilities
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Communications (40%):
The Senior Communications Specialist is the expert authority on all communication and outreach strategies, policies, tools, and approaches for USAID/Southern Africa's Health Office. The Specialist develops and manages comprehensive communication strategies: setting communication policy for the Health Office that promotes USAID Health Office goals to internal and external audiences; ensuring public awareness of programs and projects being funded by USAID and other USG Agencies; facilitating information access and sharing within the entire Mission; providing communications technical assistance to the staff and partners; strengthening Mission reporting functions to USAID/Washington, the Department of State, and the U.S. Congress.
- Maintain up-do-date knowledge of Health Office activities
- Develop a health communications strategy and engagement plans, in alignment with overall Mission strategy
- Oversee drafting, editing and dissemination of health documents, such as briefing papers, fact sheets, presentations, office updates, memos, technical reports, success stories/best practices, and research papers, in conjunction with technical leads, implementing partners, and DOC team
- Manage a central depository of communications materials/products as well as version/quality control of documents
- Advise USAID/USG staff, implementing partners, and the South African government on communications, including risk communications and behavior change communications
- Organize communications communities of practice or groups for information sharing, alignment, and leveraging
- Serve as point-of-contact for abstract and publication submissions
- Attend weekly Health Office meetings and routine U.S. Embassy, PEPFAR, and USAID communications meetings
- Assist the Health Office and DOC team on ad-hoc communications tasks
Coordination and Management of Events (30%):
The Specialist coordinates with USAID Health Office teams, USAID's Development Outreach and Communications Advisor, State Department's Public Affairs Section, PEPFAR Coordination Office's Provincial Liaisons. The Job Holder coordinates information dissemination within the Health Office. S/he establishes and maintains contacts with donor representatives, implementing partners and other USG agencies to collect information for high-level visits and events.
- Organize and manage site visits:
- Serve as the Health Office primary contact for events and official visits
- Develop and maintain site visit database/directory
- Prepare site proposals for high-level visits
- Prepare all documentation (briefing checklists/scene-setters, schedules, talking points, etc.) in collaboration with activity managers
- Organize logistics of the visits with appropriate points-of-contacts
- Serve as site officer or control officer as needed
- Coordinate with the DOC office on the best ways to publicize these events
- In close collaboration with the DOC office, organize and manage events, such as launches, national events, receptions, partner meetings, student visits, etc. (on behalf of USAID's Health Office):
- Prepare guest lists, scene-setters, talking points, press releases, etc.
- Organize logistics of the events
- Serve as control officer or site officer as needed
Activity Management (20%)
Responsible for overall technical and programmatic oversight of communications activities, the Specialist manages communications-related contracts/agreements or communications components of an activity. The Specialist also provides technical assistance on communications to Health Office awards.
- Serve as Contracting Officer's Representative/Agreement Officer's Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager (AM) for contracts and/or agreements in the USAID/Southern Africa health portfolio, managing and providing oversight over the administrative, financial/budget, and technical aspects of the contracts and/or agreements
- Build the communications capacity of implementing partners
- Serve as the main POC to implementing partners on communications inquiries
- Refer branding and marking questions to DOC office and coordinate responses
Public Relations/Outreach and Media (10%):
To ensure appropriate, consistent and accurate messaging and communication of USG and USAID program objectives and achievements in support of U.S. foreign policy, the Specialist organizes, coordinates and implements press/media events for USAID Health Office activities in conjunction with PEPFAR agencies, State Public Affairs Section, USAID Front Office, Health Office technical teams, implementing partners, national and sub-national government entities, and private sector partners.
- Serve as advisor to the Health Office regarding public information, media relations and outreach matters, including the use of technology and social media
- In collaboration with the DOC team, draft content for USAID/Southern Africa's external and internal websites, social media (Twitter, Facebook), etc. and press documents (op-eds, press releases, etc.)
- Liaise with implementing partners on outreach and media
- Contribute to Department of Health/Partner campaigns
- Coordinate and respond to external communications-related inquiries
- Represent Health Office and participate in key communications meetings or groups, such as the PEPFAR Interagency Communications Technical Working Group and the National Department of Health Communications Technical Working Group.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, international development/relations, marketing or related field is required.
- Prior Work Experience: A minimum of seven years' experience working in communications is required. In addition, experience in developing communications products/materials in various formats (press releases, websites, fact sheets, etc.); disseminating information to a variety of audiences; and designing and implementing public relations/communications events and/or health communications is required.
CCN PSCs may participate in temporary duty (TDY) travel to USAID/Washington and other Missions in order to participate in the Foreign Service National Fellowship Program described in ADS 495maa.
- Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) English-language proficiency, speaking and writing, is required.
POSITION ELEMENTS
- Job Knowledge: Knowledge of communications-related areas, such as: journalism, public relations, media/press conferences, campaigns, behavior change, etc. Knowledge of PEPFAR/HIV/AIDS, development, and the South African health systems/structure is strongly desired.
- Skills and Abilities: Required skills and abilities are strong interpersonal skills; the ability to operate independently with limited direct supervision of day-to-day activities; high level of written and oral communication skills; ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse and sensitive context; strong diplomatic and negotiation skills; outstanding coordination and organizational skills; excellent time management skills; and ability to cope effectively with a fast-paced, stressful, work environment. The Job Holder must be able to navigate and advise on complex internal processes. The Job Holder must be able to translate complex technical jargon into plain English. Moreover, the candidate will be expected to have superb computer skills and the ability to work in all Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite applications. The Job Holder must be comfortable using desktop publishing software, one or more website development applications, and Adobe Photoshop.
- Post Entry Training: Training might include communications/development outreach and communications training, programming foreign assistance, project design and management. On-the-job training will be provided on USG regulations and procedures.
- Supervision Received: The Specialist is under the supervision of the Health Office Operations Team Lead. The Job Holder will be expected to perform independently the required duties and responsibilities of the position. Work will be expected to meet established standards and tight deadlines. The Job Holder will be expected to develop his/her own work schedule, procedures for accomplishing tasks and independently resolve problems, which may arise during accomplishment of these objectives. The Job Holder must be capable of working independently on several tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision.
- Supervision Exercised: None. The Job Holder provides Health Office-wide leadership in all communications-related activities.
- Available Guidelines: Guidelines include PEPFAR Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); AID Acquisitions Regulations (AIDAR; AID Automated Directives System (ADS Series); Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs); Office of Procurement Acquisition Memorandum (OPAMS); U.S. Department of State Standardized Regulations; Federal Travel Regulations; Office of Management and Budget (OMB); Circulars and Controller General Decisions, USAID Mission Orders, Project Papers, Mission Strategy, and other documents available, USAID policies and procedures, Technical Documents and Policy Papers.
- Exercise of Judgment: The Job Holder operates independently, and his/her work is reviewed primarily based on results achieved within the broad constraints of policy and priorities. The Job Holder must exercise an unusually high degree of sound judgment in handling all aspects of communications as outlined in the position description.
- Authority to Make Commitments: The Job Holder does not have the authority to make commitments.
- Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Job Holder will represent Health Office on communications-related matters at the highest levels as well as working/technical levels with: host government officials, USAID Mission staff, USAID/Washington, Ambassador, other USG agencies, U.S. Congress, private voluntary and non-governmental organizations, other bilateral and multilateral donor organizations, high-level visitors, and the general public. The Job Holder will also have contacts with local, regional and international media.
- Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year.   
EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with ***url***/browse/index/far">FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to ***url***/browse/index/far">FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with ***url***/browse/index/far">FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at ***url***/browse/index/far">***url***/browse/index/far.
Submitting an Offer:
- All interested and eligible candidates should visit USAID.pnet.co.za to apply. Applicants with P-net accounts can log-in from the above website to apply and first-time users will be required to register on the site before they can apply.
- Kindly note that when you apply via cellphone you are not able to complete the required questionnaire. And if you do not complete the required questionnaire for the position, you will automatically be eliminated from further review.
- For an application to be considered complete, please include a high-quality cover letter, explaining why you are qualified for the position and a CV of no more than 4 pages. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in your application being considered “non-responsive” and eliminated from further consideration.
- Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I.
- To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
- The U.S. Mission in South Africa provides opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status or sexual orientation. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also strives to ensure equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations.
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants who do not follow the application instructions may be dropped from further consideration.
Points of Contact:
- Heather Franklin, Telephone: (012) 452-2028
- Lavinia Denation, Telephone: (012) 452-2054
- Seja Matlakala, Telephone: (012) 452-2358
- Thabang Mothupi, Telephone: (012) 452-2198
- Ntsoaki Ranta, Telephone: (012) 452-2058
- Engeline Sebego, Telephone: (012) 452-2112
Applicability:
This position is open to South African citizens and South African permanent resident permit holders. USAID Southern Africa management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, need for continuity, and residency status in determining successful applications. Current USG employees on probationary status (i.e., within their first year of employment) are not eligible to apply.
The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.
References:
Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.
COMPENSATION
This position will be compensated in accordance with the U.S. Mission for South Africa's Local Compensation Plan (LCP). The successful candidate's salary level will be based on prior job-related experience and salary history.
REQUIRED FORMS FOR CCNPSC HIRES
Once the Contracting Officer informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the forms.
BENEFITS
The plan includes basic salary, miscellaneous allowance, pension fund and medical aid subsidy.
TAXES
Every CCNPSC staff member in the Mission regardless of agency affiliation is required as a condition of employment, to pay their taxes to the South African Government.
USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO CCNPSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCNPSC awards are available at these sources:
- USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at ***url***/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf">***url***/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
- Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at ***url***/forms">***url***/forms will be used for this contract.
- Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at ***url***/work-usaid/aapds-cibs">***url***/work-usaid/aapds-cibs .
- Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See ***url***/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations%20">***url***/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations .
Desired Experience & Qualification
The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.
Basic Function of Position:
The USAID/South Africa Health Office manages one of the largest President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programs in the world. USAID supports the Government of South Africa in its fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB). USAID focuses resources in geographic areas of the country with the highest burden of HIV and TB and implements a strategic portfolio specifically aimed at epidemic control. To reach HIV epidemic control, USAID supports clinical and community-based health and social services in the following program areas:
- HIV Prevention Services
- Care and Treatment for those living with HIV
- Orphans & Vulnerable Children: support and referrals for community resources
- Tuberculosis detection, treatment and reporting
- Health Systems Strengthening: supply chain, health financing and building human resource capacity
- Nutrition: assessment, maternal and infant care, counseling and training
- Gender-related services: support for victims of gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls and young women
The Senior Communications Specialist will provide high-level strategic communications support to the USAID/Southern Africa Health Office to amplify the impact of the work and promote USAID's position as a leader in HIV/AIDS programming. As a senior expert on communications, the Job Holder will serve as the lead for all internal and external communication matters for the Health Office. S/he will be the main point-of-contact for all aspects of communications related to USAID's health programs: strategies, briefing materials, site visits, events, campaigns, public/media relations, etc. The Specialist is expected to work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including: Health Office, USAID Front Office, USAID Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Team, State Department Public Affairs Section, PEPFAR interagency, South African government, implementing partners, civil society organizations, private sector, and media outlets.