R -- PEPFAR Uganda Communications Officer

Position Title: PEPFAR Uganda Communications Officer. 2. Market Value: GS-13 Equivalent ($68,625- 89,217). Final compensation will be negotiated within this range and determined based on past salary and work history, experience and educational background. 3. Place of Performance: U.S. Embassy/Kampala, Uganda. 4. Period of Performance: Initial two year contract with an option for a third year dependant upon USG needs, satisfactory performance and availability of funds. 5. Education: Bachelors? degree or equivalent is required. Bachelors? degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or related field is preferred. Post graduate training in Public Relations is desired. 6. Experience: A minimum of five years of progressive, professional-level experience in the development and management of communication programs is required.Public speaking and speech writing experience is required. Two or more years experience working with print and broadcast journalists is required. Experience in health and/or HIV/AIDS communication programs is preferred. Experience working with PEPFAR desired. 7. Skills and abilities; Required: Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, organize, coordinate and implement communication and public diplomacy activities with a wide array of partners, and manage the simultaneous delivery of multiple outputs. English proficiency at the level of a native speaker. Ability to work independently with little supervision and minimal input from other PEPFAR team members. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with the press, donors, other partners and host country officials in a complex international and multi-cultural environment. Demonstrated ability to analyzing data and make presentations to an audience ? either written or oral -- in a clear and concise manner. Strong computer and English writing skills with proven ability to produce concise well written briefing documents and prepare high quality presentations in Word, Excel and Power Point with graphics. Desired: Proficiency in MS Publisher and Front Page or similar desktop publishing and web-page design software. Notice to Applicants: The USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant?s past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. Introduction and overview: The PEPFAR Coordinator is empowered by the Ambassador to carry out day-to-day leadership and management of the U.S.G. PEPFAR program, and is therefore responsible for ensuring that the interventions and approaches of the various U.S.G. agencies are well coordinated and support the Ugandan national HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan. She he is assisted in this by a staff of four, including a Program Officer, a Strategic Information Liaison, a Communications Officer, and an Administrative Assistant. The Communications Advisor will provide high quality and sustained technical assistance in the development, implementation and analysis of a communications and media relations program to support the PEPFAR/Uganda program. Major responsibilities will include: 1. Develop and manage implementation of a comprehensive annual communication strategy for the PEPFAR/Uganda program that recognizes the complex set of constituencies to be addressed. 2. Develop and ensure adherence to PEPFAR/Uganda communication guidelines and policies. 3. Work with and through the appropriate office for overall U.S.G. guidance and specific clearance for international audiences; disseminate this information to various audiences and constituencies, which include counterparts, assistance beneficiaries, donors, local and U.S. public, local and international press and media. 4. Oversee development and maintenance of all PEPFAR/Uganda public relations materials, including content for an Internet web site, briefing books, brochures, fact sheets, quarterly newsletters, presentations and other visual displays. 5. Conduct fact-finding trips and accompany program staff on activity site visits throughout Uganda to develop and write success stories and short articles on PEPFAR assistance. 6. Coordinate with the contractor responsible for PEPFAR monitoring and evaluation to obtain information, maps and other graphics on PEPFAR program sites to inform briefing documents and other communication products. 7. Create and manage a graphic library that will provide a selection of photographs and maps that can be used for various publications. 8. Serve as principal liaison for PEPFAR with the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy, Kampala, working through them to coordinate press and media relations and develop press and media materials such as press releases and activity background papers. 9. Coordinate with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office to promote press and media coverage of PEPFAR activities; prepare written materials, including press releases and Op-Ed materials for local and international media. 10. Liaise with the office of the Global AIDS Coordinator to develop print and video resources to raise the profile of PEPFAR assistance to Uganda. 11. Provide planning, technical guidance and training support to PEPFAR implementing partner organizations on developing briefing materials, and developing and implementing communications plans. 12. Monitor local and donor opinion concerning the PEPFAR/Uganda program for the purpose of gauging the effect of the information dissemination strategy. Document press coverage, including print, radio, and television. 13. Serve as control officer and primary point of contact for PEPFAR site visits by official visitors or the press, including drafting site visit schedules, preparing briefing materials and scene setters, and coordinating meetings with partners and beneficiaries. 14. Ensure that PEPFAR and individual agency branding guidelines are understood and followed. This may include training partners on the branding guidelines. 15. Develop focused communication responses to unexpected events and emergencies that could potentially affect the implementation, reputation, and future direction of the PEPFAR program in Uganda. 16. Oversee development and execution of training interventions in communication and media skills for the PEPFAR team and its implementing partners. 17. Establish and maintain collegial working relationships with the local media; coordinate training sessions for Uganda Press Corps members to encourage accurate reporting of PEPFAR and other HIV/AIDS activities. 18. Reporting Requirements: The PEPFAR Communications Officer will be directly supervised by the PEPFAR Country Coordinator and will work with the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy, other U. S. Government Agency public relations point persons. His her performance is evaluated on an annual basis, by obtaining performance feedback from select members of the PEPFAR Country Team and other colleagues and clients. A six-month interim review will also be conducted. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Filling this position is contingent upon availability of funding and completion of final internal administrative approvals. Detailed scope of work including overall duties and responsibilities and evaluation criteria, please send email to gnakaddu@usaid.gov, copy rheller@usaid.gov.