Overview

Credence Management Solutions employs hard-working, passionate individuals who bring innovation, accountability, and a growth mindset to the many missions we support across the US Federal Government. Employee empowerment is part of the fabric of our corporate culture through which we emphasize opportunity, recognition, reward, and retention. At Credence, we follow the principles of servant leadership and believe that serving and supporting others is critical to both our individual and collective achievements. We have only one measure of success. Yours.

We are hiring for positions under the Global Health Training, Advisory, Support Contract (GHTASC) in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Global Health (GH). These roles deliver institutional support services in a wide range of technical areas at the junior, mid-, senior, and expert levels.

We are a diverse, enthusiastic family of subject matter experts, business professionals, and practitioners who all share a common goal of providing excellent services to our government customers. If you want to work in a dynamic and fast-growing environment with highly motivated colleagues, then Credence is the right place for you!

Credence Management Solutions is seeking a Communications Advisor. See below for more information on this exciting opportunity and apply to join Credence today!

The Office of HIV/AIDS (GH/OHA) has overarching responsibility for the full range of USAID's HIV and AIDS programs and serves as the Agency's lead office for implementing the interagency President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). GH/OHA's primary functions are to provide strategic direction, technical leadership, and support to field programs, and to effectively manage headquarters programs devoted to ending the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. As a lead partner in the PEPFAR interagency process, GH/OHA makes decisions concerning the strategic allocation of financial and human resources in the sector and provides leadership in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating HIV and AIDS programs. This entails ensuring the technical integrity of USAID's headquarters and mission strategies and programs; providing global technical leadership on the full range of interventions related to HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment; leading HIV and AIDS research programs; supporting USAID missions in working with partners and other government agencies; and monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the impact of the Agency's HIV and AIDS programs in support of PEPFAR goals. GH/OHA is composed of eight Divisions and 25 Branches.

The Strategic Coordination and Communication Division (GH/OHA/SCC) serves as the primary liaison between OHA and key global HIV and AIDS implementers and stakeholders. The Division serves as the principal point of contact between USAID headquarters and missions in supporting the planning and implementation of effective HIV and AIDS programs; supports the communication needs of OHA; and nurtures external partnerships with multilateral entities such as UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other international organizations and partners. GH/OHA/SCC is composed of three branches including the Multilateral Branch, the Regional Advisors Branch, and the Communications Branch.

The Communications Branch (GH/OHA/SCC/COM) promotes consistent and effective messaging on USAID's role in PEPFAR programs and in controlling the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The Branch is OHA's focal point for public affairs and communications support, working across USAID, USG agencies, and implementing partners. The Branch provides assistance for OHA events and announcements, manages the OHA web and social media platforms, and coordinates with the USAID's Legislative and Public Affairs Bureau and Development Outreach Coordinators in USAID missions. The Communications Branch Chief will be the USAID point-of-contact (POC) for the Communications Advisor.

The Communications Advisor is responsible for initiating and implementing approved internal and external communications for GH/OHA the Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) within USAID’s Global Health (GH) Bureau. USAID is one of the key implementing agencies of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a U.S. government initiative coordinated by the Department of State’s Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC). Through OHA, USAID works closely with OGAC, other implementing agencies and partners, as well as across the entire agency to contribute to PEPFAR’s strategic priorities in response to controlling the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

Responsibilities

External Communications and Outreach (80%)

• Coordinates closely with USAID’s Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) Bureau to maintain effective working relationships. Identifies and advises on key media targets and works with LPA to pitch appropriate media on timely and trending topics USAID technical experts can comment on.
• Contributes to the planning and implementation of public outreach and education programs and events, including conferences, symposiums, Congressional briefings, partner initiative launches and other large-scale events, both domestically and internationally, in support of LPA and OHA.
• Assists the Branch Chief in writing, editing, coordinating updates to: the USAID OHA website, newsletters, social media, blog posts, success stories, etc.
• Coordinates approved projects and campaigns while adapting to changing priorities. Evaluates existing programs and events. Advises new or revised programs and activities through studies and reports. Provides coordination support with vendors/service providers for events and programs.
• Conducts research, identifies and engages partners (individuals and organizations) to support public health campaigns and initiatives.
• Works collaboratively with other communications team members, OHA staff members, GH comms colleagues, and LPA to create and execute integrated public relations campaign using a number of platforms including news media, web, print, video and social media to promote our work. Ensures public affairs campaigns integrate with OHA’s priorities and future office strategy.
• Positions USAID technical experts and partner organizations as thought leaders in HIV and AIDS, in the context of international development work, and as go-to resources to media outlets.
• Writes and distributes LPA approved materials including press releases, media pitches, and talking points in advance of media interviews. Monitors media activities related to HIV and AIDS and provides analysis and reporting.

Internal Communications (20%)

• Coordinates responses and contributes to the development of talking points, speeches, press releases, Q&As, presentations and other relevant materials. Helps manage relationship with Office of HIV/AIDS and Global Health colleagues, responding to taskers and requests, often with short turnaround times.
• Identifies internal and external challenges and emerging issues that require attention, rapid response and crisis communications. Works with leadership and staff to recognize opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. Serves as a key member of the communications within OHA and LPA. Attends weekly and bi-weekly meetings. Identifies linkages, key deliverables and opportunities where HIV and AIDS messages can be amplified.
• Reviews and evaluates existing strategies and communication plans for disseminating information about changes in program emphasis or content for a wide variety of subjects related to USAID’s HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases programs. Determines the most expeditious and appropriate avenues for disseminating information to the public and arranges for mass dissemination of information materials. In consultation with LPA, ensures that information is disseminated is absolutely accurate, complete, intellectually honest, and that sensitive or classified information is protected from unauthorized disclosure.

Professional Development:

• Participate in professional continuing education, skills training and professional meetings to enhance relevant technical skills and career development.
• Complete and execute an Individual Learning and Training Plan and Annual Work Plan

Qualifications

• Minimum of Master’s degree and 6 years professional experience or Bachelor’s and 8 years or more of relevant experience in international health, strategic communications or public affairs, international development, or social science;
• At least 5 years of professional experience with two or more public health technical disciplines (such as, Health Communications, HIV/AIDS, Maternal & Child Health, Nutrition, and Infectious Disease, etc.); job duties/responsibilities generally related to position description requirements.
• A demonstrated understanding of HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs, with previous PEPFAR experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing internal and external communications plans, including key messages, talking points, FAQs and statements.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly, concisely under deadline pressure.
• Excellent oral and written communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated experience in managing a busy workload, prioritizing responsibilities and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated computer literacy (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Drive)
• Demonstrated experience in global health communications activity planning, management and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability in developing innovative strategies and to analyze, develop, monitor, and evaluate program implementation.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to work within diverse teams.
• Ability to travel to developing countries, up to 20%.
• US citizen or US permanent resident with the ability to obtain and maintain Facility Access required.

Competencies/Performance Criterion

• Innovation: Employee takes initiative to propose new ideas/approaches, and demonstrates ability to find new and better ways to accomplish work.
• Customer Service: Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to ensure obligations are met. Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to Organization policies and procedures.
• Interpersonal Skills: Employee demonstrates ability to work in cooperation with others and communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, clients and other outside contacts.
• Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development that is aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals. Proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the Organization.

Full salary range for this position is $92,300 to $145,617 per year, with the starting salary determined based on candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability