Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Period of Performance: 03/25/2012 – 03/24/2013
The goal of the Communications Advisor position is to provide oversight of Tanzanian communications and public affairs activities to ensure United States Government (USG) funded programs are highlighted to support public health activities in Tanzania.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Continue to formalize and implement a communications strategy identifying opportunities to highlight the United States government (USG) and support for public health activities in Tanzania. Key activities highlighted in the strategy will include: messaging, planning and policy development surrounding signing ceremonies, facility openings, Ambassador Visits, promotion of journalist interaction with activities, programs and partners; and use of multi-media to capture and promote positive messages.
• Work with Public Affairs colleagues and the Office of the PEPFAR Country Coordinator to leverage interagency opportunities.
• Provides support to Tanzanian staff to write and edit documents related to program initiatives. Edit text for clarity, grammar, accuracy and consult on design and graphics to prepare materials for distribution.
• Formalize and implement a process for planning events and official openings, in order to ensure adequate USG and representation. Conduct regular presentations with public affairs representatives for each partner in order to formalize the communication strategies and policies.
• Liaise with Embassy Public Affairs Office to research proper legal protocol and local Tanzanian customs for taking and using photographs in publications; with specific attention to situations involving people being supported by public health programs. Ensure that staff and visitors are aware of these policies and customs prior to arriving at sites. Contractor also creates formal processes and draft release forms to be taken to events and site visits.
• Serve as one of the main points of contact for high-level visitors who come to Tanzania to view programs, including event planning and material development. Liaise with Atlanta and the Embassy to determine logistics and planning needs.
• Coordinate multiple events, openings, high profile and congressional delegation visits, and trainings provided by Tanzania and PEPFAR. Liaises with technical staff to ensure that they have support when technical staff is assigned control officer responsibilities.
• Regularly liaise with technical teams and relevant staff to plan for upcoming events and other media-worthy activities to ensure that appropriate steps and staff are in place to meet requirements.
• Create a comprehensive database of site briefs detailing programs across Tanzania. This database will be utilized to create briefing books as needed.
• Attend Public Affairs/Diplomacy weekly staff meetings and participate in other interagency processes involving communications issues.
• Provide support to program offices and implementing partner organizations to implement media strategies by organizing activities (press release, media advisories, remarks, media interviews, media trips, etc.) to ensure that Tanzanians are aware of USG mission themes, priorities, and programs. A critical element of this includes the drafting/clearance of all remarks for Tanzania Director, Chief of Mission, Deputy Chief of Mission, and representatives of Tanzania. In addition, some materials will need to be drafted and/or reviewed by technical teams to ensure accuracy and consistency of all communication materials.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to strengthen Tanzania’s efforts to build the capacity of staff on communications and public affairs activities.
Key Qualifications:
• Graduation from an accredited university with a bachelor’s degree in English, communication, international development, media arts, business, or closely related field.
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation experience to multidisciplinary audiences (USG officials, policy-makers, private sector staff, foundations, program managers, donors).
• Excellent writing skills; good computer skills including PowerPoint, Excel, Word and other software relevant to presentations.
• Level IV English proficiency required.
• Level II Kiswahili proficiency preferred.
• Willingness and ability to effectively communicate in English (Speaking, Writing, and Reading) on a daily basis with various groups. Experience working in an international setting preferred.
• Willingness and ability to work full-time and to be located in Tanzania strongly preferred.
Application Process:
Please submit an updated resume and cover letter by clicking here.
Follow the application instructions. Applications submitted by other means will not be considered. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
The QED Group, LLC is a growing international development consulting and management firm with practice areas in economic growth, democracy and governance, health, and knowledge management with experience in over 70 countries around the world.
The QED Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO/M/F/D
Application Deadline: 13 April 2012