Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Project Summary:
The purpose of Nicaragua Youth and Communities Secure, Empowered and Resilient (NYCSER) is to empower youth and their communities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to become resilient and better equipped to advocate for their own best interests and security in the current national context of social and political instability and discrimination, including by actively participating in their communities’ and nation’s decision-making.
Position Summary:
The Communications Specialist will be responsible for managing the communications and outreach strategy. S/he will develop a communications strategy that aligns with the overall goals and objectives of the project. S/he will be responsible for coordinating with project leads, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and partners to gather adequate information while monitoring the integration of consistent communications across project activities and products.
Reporting and Supervision:
The Communications Specialist reports directly to the Chief of Party (COP).
Primary Responsibilities:
- Leads the Communications strategy and manages all external communications working with youth, Community Based Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other youth serving organizations;
- Reviews and aligns communication strategy to meet the client’s needs;
- Works in coordination with program, operations, GESI and grants teams to identify communications issues, develop solutions, create and establish procedures;
- Establishes deadlines and tools for collecting and reporting program activities;
- Develops all digital media strategy and content management in alignment with project goals and objectives;
- Visits project activities, interviews beneficiaries and facilitates on the ground reporting
- Works with field and Home Office staff to utilize web- and media-based platforms to enhance the project’s communication needs;
- Highlights, captures and develop best practices as success story reports (as needed);
- Writes and edits reports from the compiled information from other staff to produce weekly, bi-weekly, quarterly, annual and ad-hoc reports following USAID guidelines and the project’s Branding and Marking Plan; and
- Develops strategic communications and public awareness campaigns for various components to generate public, private and governmental support for the project.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication or similar fields;
- Experience working in at-risk communities;
- At least three (3) years of experience in communication and managing communications; responsibilities for projects, programs or organizations;
- At least five (5) years of general work experience;
- Familiarity with USAID branding policies and procedures with hands-on experience with communications in a USAID project strongly preferred;
- Experience in managing a broad mix of communications responsibilities for similar projects;
- Experience in building and effectively supervising a diverse team of employees and partners;
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, proactive, creative problem solving and ethical management;
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills; and
- Excellent oral and written Spanish; English preferred.
Local and regional candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Position contingent upon donor funding.
