Strategic Communications Analyst

Washington, DC, United States

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Department: USAID Providing Development Expertise and Technical Skills (USAID PDEX)

Vistant (formally PMCG ), recognized as one of the fastest growing companies across the country and the region by Inc. 5000, Financial Times, Washington Technology, and the Baltimore Business Journal, is a public-sector management consulting firm serving federal international development, healthcare, and social services agencies.

This position is located in USAID’s Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI), in the Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub’s (ITR), Technology Division. Within IPI, the ITR leads USAID in research and experimentation, digital development, and open innovation to transform development. The ITR takes smart risks to test new ideas and brings together diverse partners to scale impact. Working collaboratively with agency and external partners, ITR's mission is to identify, expand, and integrate innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches by utilizing exploration, experimentation, and testing new solutions, methods, and technologies.

As the agency’s experts and a global leader in the field of digital development for over a decade, the Technology Division works to address gaps in digital access and adoption and advance the responsible use of technology and geospatial analysis in development and humanitarian assistance, while also managing the risks that digital technology introduces into the lives of the communities we serve.

As an integral part of the Technology Division’s Knowledge and Insights team, the Strategic Communications Analyst will provide strategic communications and public engagement support to the Technology Division and its technical teams. The analyst will collaborate with the division’s management and team leads to develop and execute comprehensive internal and external communication strategies, including top-line messaging and communications campaigns. The incumbent will create and maintain linkages with key networks, package program information, and results for a variety of audiences, identify creative communications channels to develop actionable content and create engagement and storytelling opportunities to highlight technology programming internally and externally. The incumbent will provide general and strategic communications, press, legislative affairs, outreach, social media, and event support to the Technology Division, performing a variety of both complex and analytical duties to advance the division’s programs and priorities in connection with overarching agency priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of the Technology Division’s communications and outreach strategy, including top-line messaging, engagement strategies and plans, marketing materials, and communication tools in coordination with the hub, bureau, and the agency.

Provide expert technical advice and guidance to Technology Division leadership on effective strategic communications and outreach with key internal and external audiences to improve engagement and support for ITR’s mission. Key stakeholders include USAID missions and bureaus, the interagency, other donors, implementing and private sector partners, Congress, and the general public.

Effectively coordinates communications across the Technology Division teams and the ITR and engages with communicators across the bureau and USAID to develop and implement internal communications processes and facilitate strategic communications and outreach.

Works with leadership in the Technology Division and legislative affairs staff across the bureau and agency to develop and implement Congressional engagement strategies and approaches.

Manage the editorial process and pipeline, including developing an editorial calendar, sourcing and pitching story ideas, and editing content.

Write, edit, and oversee the production and dissemination of strategic communication materials, including but not limited to online feature stories, blog posts, case studies, fact sheets, talking points, speeches, presentations, social media content, and video scripts.

Review communications materials for the Technology Division and priority programming to ensure consistency with agency and IPI messaging, policy, and procedures.

Monitor U.S. foreign assistance and humanitarian news, trends, and best practices, and translates insights into actionable content.

Required Qualification, Education, and/or Experience

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study.

Seven (7) or more years of relevant professional experience in communications, marketing, business, public policy, legislative affairs, events management, or similar fields.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to develop and implement communication and engagement strategies and approaches across large, complex organizations.

Excellent writing and storytelling skills.

Strong project management skills, including experience leading cross-functional teams.

Strong organizational and analytical skills, including the ability to multitask well in a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated ability to creatively problem solve and a passion for impact.

Experience on the Hill or in legislative affairs is a plus.

Media management and graphic design/product development experience in a fast-paced environment is ideal.

Strong experience in successful media pitching with a good placement history is ideal.

USAID Assumptions and Constraints

Staff working on this effort must possess the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance.

Requires collaboration with USAID IPI and other Operational Units.

Full-time

Place of Performance

Washington, D.C. - the Ronald Reagan Building (RRB). On-site support with limited telework.

Travel - limited international and domestic travel.

Legal Disclaimers

Applicants selected may be subject to a background investigation and must meet suitability requirements for eligibility. Vistant participates in E-Verify .

Vistant provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vistant is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled

Telework/Remote Work policies are contingent upon client needs and staffing requirements and are subject to change.

Applicants with disabilities may contact the Human Capital Team via telephone, e-mail, and other means to request and arrange accommodation. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request accommodation at any time. Please contact the Human Capital Team at [email protected] or (301) 719-2381.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Link on website to DOL statement (above). Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (dol.gov )

Reasonable Accommodation for Job Opening Access and Applications

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Capital Team at [email protected]  or (301) 719-2381.

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