Communications and Outreach Officer at Creative Associates International

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 15 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communications and Outreach Officer

Location: Abuja

Project Summary

The objective of the West Africa Trade and Investment Activity is to improve private sector competitiveness with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria, and promoting West Africa’s regional and international trade
The Activity comprises of three main components:
- Design of a Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships;
- Administration of the Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and
- Technical assistance (TA) that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve USAID’s trade and food security objectives.
The Trade Hub will contribute to both USAID/Nigeria’s Feed the Future objectives related to increasing the agricultural competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria as well as USAID/West Africa’s objective to increase broad-based growth and resilience.

Position Summary

The Communications and Outreach Officer will be responsible for leading, directing, and managing the public affairs and information operations of a USAID-funded rural livelihoods project in West Africa.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Communications and Outreach Officer will report directly to the Operations Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

Create and implement comprehensive communications outreach programs for the dissemination of information on project activities;
Create and implement a comprehensive public relations program to release positive publicity about the program through various media;
Advises and counsels program on public relations techniques impacting program activities including potential problems and opportunities in the various communities served;
Promotes communication to the USAID Mission about the project for dissemination on Mission web pages or to other USAID Missions and to HQ for publication in quarterly newsletters and web;
Writes and supervises the writing and disseminating of news releases, daily reports, USAID quarterly reports, and project documents;
Supervises and arranges taking, processing and disseminating photographs; prepares and disseminates radio and television material; produces posters, signs, displays, media campaigns, etc.;
Implements the USAID Branding and Marking Plan as contracted;
Support the Chief of Party (COP) in consolidating the project’s reporting requirements;
Supports the COP is coordinating project reporting requirements; and Ensures that reports are submitted to USAID on a timely fashion.
Manage the program’s website and newsletter
Identify and write success stories that meet USAID’s standards
Identify and write stories that would appear in the newsletter and website
Organize outreach events
Collaborate with HQ Communications team
Manage project website and social media channels.

Required Skills and Qualifications

A minimum of four (4) years of work experience in Communications or other relevant fields;
Experience supporting large project communications departments and activities;
Experience in social media management and content production;
Experience in developing strategic communications plans;
Experience in training and/or mentoring staff;
Experience in dealing with media companies/organizations; and
Language: English required; French helpful
Strong English writing and editing skills.
Desired skills and qualifications
Experience with web content management systems such as Word Press
Experience with Adobe Creative Suite or other graphic design programs
Candidates must be Authorized to work full time in Nigeria.