Senior Communications Advisor

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 121-10-04 MARKET VALUE: GS-13 ($71,674 to $93,175) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kyiv, Ukraine SECURITY ACCESS: Work Authorization AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Personal Services Contractor (PSC) POSITION DESCRIPTION: Senior Communications Advisor ISSUANCE DATE: September 2, 2010 CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: October 1, 2010, 5:00 PM Kyiv, Ukraine time. (9:00 AM EST U.S.) SPECIAL FACTORS: Please note that no PSC contract can be executed until a candidate has received medical and security clearances. Background This position is located in the Office of Program Coordination and Strategy (PCS) of the USAID Regional Mission for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. The Mission is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of USAID-funded programs operating throughout the three-country area. Funding levels for FY09 reached $128 million including supplemental, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and carryover funding for all three countries. Based in Kyiv, Ukraine, the PCS office coordinates the program operations of the Regional Mission. It is responsible for preparing country strategies and budgets, developing and evaluating programs and activities, coordinating obligations and program reporting, and assessing support to the technical offices and Mission's front office. Because of the regions strategic importance to the USG, the Mission receives a high number of senior-level official visitors. The Senior Communications Advisor ("Incumbent") will be a key member of the PCS office, supervising the Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) team which is charged with, among other things, generating greater public awareness about, and support for, U.S. assistance to the countries of Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. The Incumbent also serves as control person, senior speech writer/editor of all external communications of the Mission Front Office, in collaboration with the respective technical offices, whether to the public, Washington DC, or representatives of the respective host governments assisted by the Mission. Finally, the Incumbent will play a key role in preparing for high-level executive branch, congressional or host government visitors, working either as or with the designated control officer(s), preparing, or overseeing and supervising the preparation of, and ensuring high quality control of necessary briefing materials, scene setters, and similar material to effectively communicate USAID's work to such visitors, as well as working with Mission Management and implementing partners to ensure adequate pre-visit planning. The Incumbent reports to the PCS Office Director and also regularly interacts with the Mission Director and Deputy Director, working closely with the Mission's front office in developing strategies and executing projects, preparing for official visits, etc. S/he will interact on a regular basis with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office (PAO) to ensure that U.S. Embassy staff are aware of and coordinate with USAID activities, and serves as a principle liaison with USAID's Legislative and Public Affairs Bureau (LPA) in Washington, D.C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES A. Management of the DOC Unit 20% The Incumbent is responsible for managing the DOC unit, including setting priorities for the accomplishment of strategic objectives to ensure that priority projects and Mission demands are met; managing the budget for public affairs and outreach activities (part of the PCS budget); overseeing the publication of materials, including art directing photo shoots and coordinating graphic design; directing Web site design and updates; and supervising FSN staff. This team is also charged with keeping the respective technical offices in the Mission and its implementing partners apprised of Agency requirements concerning branding, as well as opportunities for collaboration and possible synergies in the external communications necessary or advisable concerning the Mission's work. The Incumbent is responsible for the development of a strategic communications plan, aligning DOC activities with strategic objectives and ensuring the strategy fits with larger goals of the front office and technical offices. S/he supervises the DOC team - currently consisting of two Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) - and directs DOC projects, ensuring a cohesive, unified approach to outreach events and activities. B. Writing/Editorial Responsibilities and Quality Control 20% Drafts and/or edits letters to government and regional officials, talking points, scene setters and other Mission documents to ensure high quality control, often meeting heavy demands, both in terms of quantity and time pressures, for proofreading and editing throughout the year. Incumbent may be called upon to help draft or edit major PCS documents including the annual Operational Plan, Performance Report, Congressional Budget Justification, and Mission and USAID Strategic Plans. The Incumbent will also serve as the Mission Director's speechwriter as directed, and will be responsible for editing and clearing background materials, presentations and talking points for events attended by the Director, the U.S. Ambassador and other officials. S/he will review correspondence and reporting on Mission activities to ensure that documents are written in a clear and professional manner. The Incumbent will offer guidance on style to the front office, the DOC team and technical offices, conforming to the standards of USAID LPA branding and style guidelines, Associated Press (AP) Style, and professional business English. C. Strategic Planning and Strategy Development 15% The Incumbent supervises the team which develops and implements USAID's strategic communications plan with the goal of promoting the Mission's programs to internal and external audiences, facilitating information access across the Mission and strengthening its reporting functions. The Incumbent will offer recommendations to Mission management on the selection and placement of potential DOC materials in keeping with USAID's Country Program Strategy. The Incumbent is responsible for developing methods of performance monitoring and for evaluating the effectiveness of outreach tools. These tools may include - but are not limited to - outreach events, the Mission's Web site, printed collateral, fact sheets, newsletters and advertising. S/he is charged with staying abreast of communications and outreach tools, such as uses of new technology and methods of communication, and making recommendations to Mission leadership about more effective methods of conducting outreach. The Incumbent is responsible for putting into place policies and procedures for Mission communications that clarify roles within the Mission, with the Embassy and with implementing partners, including templates for communications tools, and guidelines for Mission materials and events. The Incumbent is responsible for tracking activities and regularly monitoring outcomes of the Mission's communications efforts, making adjustments as needed to reach agree-upon goals. S/he is also responsible for relaying related policies and achievements to key audiences in the Mission's host countries, in the U.S. and throughout donor countries. The Incumbent is responsible for collecting, investigating, managing and distributing information associated with U.S. Foreign Assistance in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, and maintaining quality control over all materials. S/he shall serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for information, though she may delegate some of these responsibilities to DOC team members as necessary. D. Public Events and Activities 15% The Incumbent will plan, schedule and execute activities to present Mission programs to the public, which may include site visits, field trips and media events. As requested, s/he will accompany the Mission Director to public speaking engagements, conferences, public affairs activities and site visits, providing input and assistance at the event. S/he is responsible for preparing schedules and briefing materials in collaboration with technical offices for events in which the Mission Director participates, as well as for the Ambassador and DCM for USAID events. The Incumbent is responsible for ensuring that scene setters, backgrounders, schedules, talking points and speeches are prepared in timely fashion and meet high quality standards as described above. S/he may be called upon to oversee coordination of signing ceremonies, inaugurations, and or dedications of USAID projects, including coordinating with other USAID or Embassy officials on logistics, scheduling, seating and other arrangements. E. PCS Interface with Select Technical Office Teams 15% The Incumbent will work with Technical Office Teams as assigned by the PCS Office Director, for the following purposes: - 1. To use his/her best professional judgment on behalf of PCS when asked to provide guidance, and is expected to provide expert advice on, the Automated Directives System (ADS) guidance, in the areas of results and performance monitoring and public outreach. - 2. To inform the PSC Office Director of relevant actions taken by the technical office team and issues concerning outreach opportunities. - 3. To ensure that results frameworks of the technical office teams provide appropriate focus on outreach opportunities. - 4. To become fully informed, through informal as well as formal means, of (a) outreach opportunities presented to the technical office teams and implementing partners; (b) become acquainted with the contractors and grantees implementing activities; (c) contribute to the discussions on outreach and public relations issues facing the team; and (d) otherwise contribute to the achievement of the teams' strategic and intermediate objectives. 5. To perform such other duties as may be assigned. F. Media & Visitor Relations: 15% The Incumbent will provide expertise in planning, researching, drafting and/or editing press releases, fact sheets and brochures targeting regional and international media sources and will supervise the preparation of briefers and scene setters, as well as pre-visit planning, coordination with implementing partners, etc., for high level Executive Branch, Congressional or Host Government visits to USAID activities, working either as or with the designated control officer(s). S/he will be responsible for clearing necessary documents with relevant USAID staff, implementers and the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office with the goal of producing timely, accurate and useful information. S/he will oversee all DOC public relations activities and provide strategic direction and guidance for media outreach and media communications tools. The Incumbent is responsible for tracking media coverage and remaining in tune with coverage that relates to USAID's Mission Director and technical offices. S/he may be called upon to advise and work with PAO to expand opportunities for USAID coverage, and will help to identify potential story ideas for coverage, as well as photo opportunities for broadcast media. QUALIFICATIONS - A. Education: A bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, business administration/management or development is required. A master's degree in one of the above fields is desirable. - B. Prior Work Experience: Seven to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in related fields is required, with at least five years of experience in marketing and public relations, journalism, and/or development communications. Supervisory experience is a plus. Previous work experience in federal or state government or an international development organization is highly desirable. - C. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated working knowledge of public relations and marketing-communications strategy. Ability to professionally represent USAID before senior government officials and other level visitors and to effectively communicate USAID's development objectives and achievements. Broad understanding of international development issues - including transitioning economies and democracies - is required. Experience in the region is highly desirable. Ability to develop and maintain relationships with media and high-level representatives, and exercise sound judgment while representing the USG is crucial. Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and work flows, and to participate as a solid team member while providing leadership in his/her areas of competence, is required. Must possess broad operational planning experience, analytical ability and excellent communications skills. Must be able to convert planning concepts into firm plans. Must be comfortable working independently, with the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize on tight deadlines. - D. Language Proficiency: Superb, native-level (or equivalent thereto) written and oral English communication skills required. Knowledge of AP Style a major plus. Basic language skills in Russian and/or Ukrainian desirable. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances which may be prorated accordingly: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual and Sick Leave ALLOWANCES*: Post Differential (Section 500) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600) Education Allowance (Section 270) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Educational Travel (Section 280) *Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. Application Materials and Point of Contact A cover letter and curriculum vitae should be sent to kyv15-2010@usaid.gov electronically. Only best qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Point of Contact: Tamara Leschenko Human Resources Assistant USAID/Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova Tel: 380 44 537 4600 List of Required forms for USPSCs: For initial consideration: 1. OF-612 or SF-171 (may include CV) Upon advice by the Executive Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate: 2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) 3. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). 4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258).