Senior Strategic Communications Advisor (USAID/Iraq)
Department: USAID MENA
Office: USAID Office in Iraq
Location: Baghdad, N/A, Iraq
Function: Professional Services
Job ID: 716
Work Mode: On Site
Position Title:* Senior Strategic Communications Advisor
Location: On-site at USAID/Iraq in Baghdad or Remote with TDYs as required
Position Duration: September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025
Type: Full-time
Clearance Required: Secret level security clearance
Position Description:
The Senior Strategic Communications Advisor will advance strategic communications, build technical communication capacity, and provide development, outreach, and communications (DOC) support for the USAID/Iraq mission in Baghdad. This is a full-time position intended to last one year, with flexibility based on the candidate’s availability. The role can be remote with travel to Baghdad.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Strategic Communications Support:
+ Support the Mission in articulating effective strategic toplines.
+ Advise on and advance the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) process, particularly around stakeholder engagement and messaging.
+ Develop, disseminate, and implement a Communications and Outreach Strategy for internal and external audiences, including public awareness and information access and sharing within the Mission.
DOC Processes and Coordination:
+ Develop, improve, and implement DOC-related processes, systems, and products to streamline coordination between the Program Office, technical offices, and implementing partner staff.
+ Support the Program Office to coordinate communications between USAID and the USG interagency.
+ Draft, edit, and finalize materials.
+ Attend meetings, prepare minutes, and report to leadership.
Capacity Building and Training:
+ Build the technical capacity of Mission and implementing partner staff in content creation for social and traditional media, USG, and public audiences.
+ Provide formal DOC training and technical capacity building to the DOC team, Program Office Team, and broader USAID Mission staff on communications best practices tailored to Iraq’s non-permissive environment.
+ Mentor and train staff to manage priorities, delegate tasks, and ensure the delivery of timely and high-quality products.
Event Planning and Media Relations:
+ Assist with event planning and execution, including developing remarks, talking points, and devising appropriate media and outreach plans.
+ Advise the Mission Director and other USAID staff on press and media relations, messaging, and other communications-related initiatives.
+ Prepare and brief Mission leadership for media engagement.
Specific Deliverables:
Development and rollout of topline messages for USAID/Iraq. Direction and inputs into CDCS and other strategic and programmatic processes. Drafting and improvement of the USAID/Iraq outreach and communications strategy. Delivery of training to Mission staff on drafting and delivering quality documents and presentations. Other deliverables as determined by Mission needs.
Required Experience and Education:
Experience:
+ Minimum of 10 years’ experience supporting USAID or the USG directly or through implementing partners.
+ Experience in outreach and communications in conflict-affected or politically sensitive contexts.
+ Experience in strategic communications, journalism, media, or public relations.
+ Excellent writing and organizational skills.
Education:
+ Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
+ Master’s degree is preferred.
Special Requirements:
English fluency required. Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance. The candidate can start remotely with a Public Trust clearance while the Secret clearance is processed.
Travel Requirements:
If remote with on-site support as required: Three TDYs of 14 days each per year, primarily to Baghdad but may include Frankfurt, Germany; Washington, DC; or Erbil, Iraq. If based on-site: Three TDYs of 7 days each to Frankfurt, Germany; Washington, DC; or Erbil, Iraq.
Legal Disclaimers
Applicants selected may be subject to a background investigation and must meet suitability requirements for eligibility. 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 HC@vistantco.com or (301) 719-2381.
Please note: Updates on applications or the general Recruiting process should reach out to recruiting@vistantco.com.