Description
The United States Agency for International Development Mission to Ghana (USAID/Ghana) requires an experienced Strategic Communications Specialist to provide senior-level technical expertise to the development and implementation of a communication strategy designed to educate the domestic population and international stakeholders on the work USAID/Ghana is performing to benefit the people of Ghana. With an annual budget of approximately $144 million, USAID/Ghana supports Ghana’s commitment to reduce its dependency on foreign assistance by prioritizing programs that create stability; incentivize reform and innovation; strengthen in-country capacity; and mobilize domestic resources, including private capital to accelerate the nation’s transition towards middle-income status. Ghana is a focus country for several U.S. Government initiatives and priorities, including the Global Food Security Strategy, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), Power Africa, the Security Governance Initiative, and Prosper Africa. USAID serves as one of the lead development partner agencies in Ghana. USAID/Ghana’s new five-year behavioral-led, integrated Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) (2020-2025) supports Ghana’s efforts to become a more self-reliant nation that offers a productive life to all of its citizen through continued support to address food security and trade, quality education and health services, and citizen responsive governance in the northern regions. The CDCS focuses on promoting inclusive development, systems strengthening, and greater accountability across the government. The Mission manages the strategy through three development objectives (DO): 1) Broad-based Economic Growth Accelerated and Sustained; 2) Quality Services Delivered with Increased Accountability; and 3) Sustainable Development Accelerated in Northern Ghana. USAID/Ghana has a main office in Accra, with 64 staff (19 USDHs, 5 U.S. and TCN Personal Service Contractors, and 45 Locally Engaged Staff) and a satellite office in Tamale, with 11 LES who are focused on northern Ghana programming. The Strategic Communications Specialist will lead and shape mission strategic communications to meet programmatic objectives, build awareness, and position USAID to resonate with target audiences and influence key stakeholders. The Specialist oversees USAID brand equity, contributing to U.S. development and foreign policy objectives, and enabling USAID to forge new partnerships while maintaining operations in Ghana. The Specialist will lead strategic communication initiatives; including advising mission leadership and partnering with the Embassy (through the Public Affairs Office) to develop and drive the direction of mission communications, deploy cutting-edge tactics, identify and evaluate communications performance monitoring. The Specialist must have the knowledge and ability to create messages and leverage the most appropriate communications platforms to reach key stakeholders. S/he must focus on key sectors that have a connection to local interests as well as USG policies and strategic goals. As the mission’s professional expert in strategic communications, the Specialist will advise Mission management on the development and implementation of the mission’s communication strategy and support management in making policy decisions. S/he will collaborate with technical offices and implementing partners and share thought leadership on emerging trends and high-profile activities across USAID/Ghana. The Specialist must display state-of-the-art communications skills to lead the creation of visually appealing multimedia content; plans and executes large scale outreach events; drafts speeches; and partners with the Public Affairs Office to manage and leverage digital media platforms to connect with audiences. S/he maintains relationships with local media, major universities, and research institutions across the country.