Communication & Reporting Officer, LITTORALS REGIONAL INITIATIVE (LRI) Reports to: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager : Accra, with extensive travel PROGRAM DESCRIPTION In close coordination with the US Embassy and USAID, the goal of the USAID/OTI-funded Littorals Regional Initiative (LRI) is to support US foreign policy priorities to shore up stability and prevent violent extremism in the Littoral region, including Ghana. Initial objectives include: Rapidly delivering effective and relevant programming on the ground through targeted interventions that may be scaled up. Informing and improving USG programming by piloting approaches and sharing reporting. Providing rapid response capacity, from hiring STTAs to quick response activities, in the event of a crisis or opportunity. POSITION SUMMARY The Communication & Reporting Officer plays a critical role in the identification, coordination, management, production and distribution of high-quality content related to this three-year USAID/OTI program. Working in close collaboration with program staff, the Chief of Party and HQ colleagues, the Communication & Reporting Officer will develop an editorial calendar of content – written stories, videos, photography, PowerPoint presentations and more – that demonstrate to internal and external audiences the successes and results of our work in five West African countries. She/he will be expected to manage at least one full-time staff member. This is a hands-on position and the selected candidate will be expected to also write and produce her/his own written and video projects. REPORTING & SUPERVISION This position reports to the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager and coordinates closely with headquarters-based Senior Director of Communications. The position is based in Accra, with travel expected across Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo, including the northern border areas of these countries. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Consistent with USAID/OTI’s strategy and goals, the Communication & Reporting Officer is expected to perform the following duties: Management: In collaboration with your supervisor, program colleagues and HQ staff, develop a production process. Develop and take responsible for the content calendar. Devise content distribution plans that leverage in-house and external platforms (such as social media, graphics and email newsletters) with other team members. Ensure overall quality and consistency of the communications content, materials and messaging. Responsible for meeting USAID’s published branding and marking standards, as well as upholding Creative’s communications policies. Collaborate closely with program colleagues in the region and HQ in the United States. Provide relevant expert-service to the program team on reporting and communications and act as facilitator or trainer as needed. Supervise at least one full-time employee in Ghana, including her/his assignments, quality, on-time delivery and more. Devise a plan to identify, recruit and supervise contract contributors in five countries. Review and distill reports and data from a variety of internal and external sources that would be presented in a compelling, succinct manner for USAID and the program staff. Proofread key reports that are required by USAID. Original content: Oversee and be responsible for the planning, development and on-time delivery quality content – video, photography and written materials – produced by the project. Organize and participate in pre-production, production, and postproduction coordination, including logistics and security briefings, and alert the appropriate team members of updates and changes. Plan, write and produce videos, written stories, and photo essays. Edit success stories that follow USAID guidelines. Ensure that all original content adheres to a style that reflects the scope and results of the program’s work. Review, edit and pass along for approval content from the full-time employee and contributing consultants. Administration: Supervise consultants and freelancers, including videographers, video editors and copy editors. Work on multimedia packages, including preproduction (planning, logistics, consultants, etc.), field production and post-production (script writing, video editor, approvals, etc.). Required Skills or Experience Required Skills & Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, International Relations or a related field. At least five (5) years of professional experience in journalism, communications or public relations with a significant portfolio of published material. Proven English-language writing and editing skills. Ability to identify content ideas, find interesting angles and tell stories in a compelling, accurate, authentic and respectful ways. Experience planning, coordinating and carrying out video productions, including script writing, interaction with contract videographers and video editors. Well-versed in the latest electronic publishing and graphic methods. Ability to build relationships and establish rapport with colleagues, both in person and virtually. Ability to work independently and contribute to larger team projects. Conversational spoken French. Availability to travel to field locations in West Africa in support of communications efforts. Existing work authorization for Ghana. Desired Skills & Qualifications: Experience in international development or international affairs, preferably in a communications role on USAID-funded projects, is a plus. Video editing skills are desired, videography and photography skills a plus. Experience in Abode Creative Suite, including Premiere and Photoshop.
