Communications Advisor (USAID/Center of Education)

ZemiTek, LLC is a Woman-Owned, SBA-certified 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) based in the Washington, DC metro area. We have a strong record delivering innovative and high-quality solutions. Since 2007, ZemiTek has provided technical assistance, project management, information technology (IT), knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, training and learning development, and institutional support services.

ZemiTek LLC is recruiting for a Communications Advisor who will be embedded within USAID's Center for Education, Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation. The Advisor will support the overall communications goals for the education sector of USAID through the Education Support Initiative 2 (ESI 2) institutional support contract.

This is a predominantly onsite position with potential for 1-2 days per week for telework.

USAID’s Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation integrates technical expertise with values-driven, cross-cutting priorities, and modern approaches to the way USAID performs its work. It provides client-centered technical services to USAID’s Missions worldwide, supports programming to innovate, learn, and address emerging issues, and provides technical leadership within the Agency and externally to enhance development impact. The Bureau’s Center for Education (IPI/EDU) leverages its expertise, partnerships, and global perspective to guide and influence the education sector, advancing U.S. Government development priorities.

Location Washington D.C.

Position Type Full-Time (Hybrid, 3 days in the office)

Salary Range Starting at $126,608

Clearance Able to obtain and maintain an active secret level clearance

The Communications Advisor develops, integrates, and implements a broad range of communications activities to advance the strategic direction, priorities, and positioning of USAID’s work in education. The Advisor will work with EDU leadership to develop and oversee a communications strategy, key messaging, campaigns and communications materials, maintain USAID’s education website and social media, support internal agency coordination, and lead staff capacity building activities for USAIDs education workforce. The Advisor will interact frequently with colleagues at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders on communications matters. Responsibilities will include the following

Strategic Communications

• Develop and advise on communication strategies and plans to advance and support Agency and Center priorities and initiatives, including the identification of key audiences, opportunities, and messaging.
• Support the development of plans and efforts to promote education work internally and elevate the profile of education among agency leadership.
• Write, edit, and provide clearances on Congressional reports and responses to inquiries from Congress.
• Maintain an editorial calendar with specific communication goals related to social media, blogs/articles, newsletters etc.; utilize creative engagement methods and ways to measure progress.
• Coordinate with USAID Missions to track and support development of education-related communications campaigns at the country level.
• Liaise and collaborate with USAID staff from other Bureaus on joint communications efforts, as they relate to the intersection between different sectors.
• Work with the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs to identify press opportunities and build relationships with appropriate media and press outlets.
• Strengthen internal USAID relationships and networks to ensure cross-agency, regions and mission content is regularly sourced and highlighted in EDU communications activities.
  
  
  

Events and Communications Materials

• Identify and support opportunities to elevate the Center’s public presence through events and engagement opportunities, including through the preparation of speeches, presentations, and materials to prepare Agency leadership and staff for meetings, speaking engagements, and events.
• Support and work with Center staff to write, edit, and provide clearances on briefers, talking points and materials to prepare leadership for meetings, speaking engagements, presentations and events.
• Support and work with Center staff on the creation of USAID Education communication materials including press releases, agency notices, daily written wrap-ups, fact sheets, stories etc. for agency flagship platforms (e.g. USAID.gov/edu; Exposure) and reporting to Congress and external partners.
• Support and work with Center staff to develop engaging, end-user focused communications products using digital media (e.g. graphics, short videos, blogs, podcasts).
  
  
  

USAID Education Newsletter, Website, and Social Media

• Coordinate the creation, development, and dissemination of EDU’s external newsletter to share program updates, highlight success stories, and elevate USAID’s education investments with key stakeholders.
• Maintain USAID.gov/edu and social media channels (including Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube etc.) and submissions to the USAID storytelling channels (Medium, Exposure, Storytelling Hub, etc.) ensuring alignment with Communications strategy and key messaging.
• Stay current on trends in social media and other online communications and identify the
  
  
  

most effective ways to use existing platforms, developing social media toolkits as needed.

• Other tasks as assigned.
• Master’s degree and a minimum of five (5) years of experience - or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of six (6) years of experience required. Ideally, this education and/or experience will be in the fields of communications, journalism, international development, or other related fields. 
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications planning and execution.
• Demonstrated effective writing skills to produce compelling, high-quality copy on relevant topics for diverse communication products including talking points, reports, speeches, briefing materials, and communications tools (op-eds, blogs, letters, copy for promotional materials, and other correspondence).
• Preferred experience in digital and multimedia development (graphic design, photography, videos, podcasts, animations) for communications.
• High level of judgment, ingenuity and originality to develop strategies, analyze situations, and constructively solve challenges.
• Team player with proven skills in working effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including ability to write technical documents and give state-of-the-art presentations to colleagues.
• Ability to interact and communicate with people from different backgrounds and cultures with a high degree of diplomacy and tact.
• Proficiency in Google Apps, Microsoft Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite. Some proficiency in Video Development, Distribution List/Newsletter Software, Hootsuite, HTML, CSS, WordPress, and Drupal.
• Previous experience with U.S. Government communications required, preferably in the area of international affairs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance required.
  
  
  

ZemiTek is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

ZemiTek is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, ZemiTek will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to accommodations@zemitek.com.

ZemiTek embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to build and maintain a safe environment where we celebrate diverse backgrounds, treat everyone with respect, and value the unique lived experiences each person brings based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, age, marital status or family status and related conditions.

All members of IPI are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All members of the Bureau are expected to value diversity, equity, and inclusion in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.