SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Supervisory Development Outreach and Communications
- Notice Date
- 9/23/2015
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 561990
— All Other Support Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Uganda USAID-Kampala, Dept. of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521-2190
- ZIP Code
- 20521-2190
- Solicitation Number
- 617-15-0010
- Archive Date
- 11/4/2015
- Point of Contact
- Grace W. Nakaddu, Phone: 256-41-4306-001, Alimo Florence, Phone: 000256414306001
- E-Mail Address
-
gnakaddu@usaid.gov, falimo@usaid.gov
(gnakaddu@usaid.gov, falimo@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1. Position Title: Supervisory Development Outreach and Communications 2. Market Value: GS-14 Equivalent $86,399 to $112,319. Final compensation will be based upon the candidate past salary and work history, experience, and educational background of the successful candidate. 3. Place of Performance: Kampala, Uganda 4. Period of Performance: Two year Contract. 5. The U.S. Agency for International Development Mission in Uganda seeks to employ a U.S. (U.S. and Resident Aliens) Personal Services Contractor who will implement development, outreach, and communications efforts to increase awareness of USAID assistance programs in Uganda for a variety of audiences within and outside of Uganda. 6. Education: It is preferred, but not required, that the candidate hold a Master's degree with significant coursework in relevant fields. Relevant fields include - but are not limited to - journalism, communications, public relations or affairs, international relations, international development, public administration, Development/area studies, and social studies. Eight to 10 years' experience as a journalist, in public affairs or international relations is required. 7. Work Experience: At least five years' relevant experience in a developing country. Relevant experience is defined as work in journalism, public relations, communications, and/or outreach. 8. Language Proficiency: The candidate must be fluent in both spoken and written English. 9. Skills and Abilities: The candidate must have a demonstrated capacity in the following skills and abilities: Demonstrated ability to exercise sound, independent, professional judgment; Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills; Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate highly technical material into easy to understand narrative; Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence relationships positively; Superior project management skills and the ability to take initiative working with the direction of management; must be able to take ownership of projects, creatively problem solve and see through to completion; Strong and demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations, media relations, and journalistic writing and reporting techniques; Knowledge of technical aspects involved in the production of different public outreach activities, such as production of televised programs; Superior levels of professionalism while working under pressure in a fast-paced and sometimes difficult or dangerous environment; Willingness to assume duties and responsibilities in all communications areas, as needed; Strong, working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Internet applications; Familiarity using a digital camera and videotaping equipment; 10. Clearance: U.S. Secret clearance (or the ability to attain one) is required. 11. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated and ranked based on the selection criteria. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the criteria on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards that are relevant to each factor. 12. Notice to Applicants: USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance, technical knowledge, required skills, including teamwork and team-building experience and may consider such information in its evaluation. Shortlisted candidates may be required to submit writing samples and/or do a written test. USAID/Uganda shall not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Introduction: The S/DOC is an essential member of the Office of Program and Policy Development, responsible for producing and disseminating public information about mission activities for Ugandan and American consumption and to educate and promote a better understanding of USAID/Uganda programs. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for strategically planning, developing, implementing, and administering the DOC program to promote better awareness and understanding of U.S. foreign assistance to Uganda. S/he guides, coordinates, and oversees the mission's communication practices and outreach efforts, helping to ensure that they reflect the U.S. Government's (USG) priorities and promote USAID's accomplishments to key audiences. S/he is also responsible for relaying related policies and achievements to key audiences of the host country, in the United States, and other countries. Major duties and responsibilities: The S/DOC will manage the full range of public information and outreach activities in support of USAID/Uganda's programs and objectives, targeting information to specific audiences in both the US and (country), in accordance with the Mission's public strategy and evolving circumstances. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following: Supervisory and Coordination: Lead the Mission's Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) team comprised of one to two Foreign Service Nationals to ensure overall quality and coherence of the team's communications and outreach products and initiatives. Lead the development and implementation of the Mission's communications strategy and outreach plan. Represent the Mission at the senior level in all matters pertaining to public affairs and outreach activities with other branches of the USG, the Government of Uganda, implementing partners, other donor nations, the UN, World Bank and other groups or institutions. Train USAID's technical staff in Uganda/Kampala and the regional offices in support of their public speaking and media outreach roles. Oversee the integration of communications in the project design and implementation processes. Serve as the senior advisor to Mission management regarding all public information, media relations, and outreach matters. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all USAID/Uganda activities and processes, as well as a keen awareness of political and policy issues. Advise USAID staff and implementing partners on developing appropriate public information programs and initiatives. Serve as a resident expert on USAID branding and style guidelines, ensuring regulations are followed by recommending revisions and appropriate application as outlined in ADS 320 and the Agency's Graphic Standards Manual. Oversee and provide regular trainings to USAID staff and implementing partners on the appropriate use of branding and marking; work closely with Contracting/Assistance Officer Representatives (C/AOR) to ensure adherence to branding in the field; and, seek guidance from LPA on any disputes or waiver requests. Coordinate with the PAO, U.S. Military, other USG agencies (e.g. CDC, USDA), and USAID implementing partners to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of U.S. development and humanitarian assistance efforts and initiatives in Uganda, as defined by the Chief of Mission and USAID Mission Director. Establish and maintain contacts with donor representatives, implementing partners, and other USG agencies to collect information for reports. Public Information and Publicity Materials: Coordinate information dissemination, media outreach, and public events within the Mission; with the Mission's offices, units and technical staff; and with all non-USG organizations. Oversee the drafting, editing, and dissemination of timely and accurate information, fact sheets, press releases, newsletters, brochures, presentations, responses for requests for information, and all other public information materials relating to USAID/Uganda's activities. These must be written in clear, concise English, prepared with both the media and general audiences in mind, and designed for print, power points, and web use. Oversee the preparation of submissions for USAID Frontlines and other USAID public information platforms including the Administrator's Blog, USAID Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other new or emerging social media sites. Oversee the use of social media platforms as an engagement tool with a focus on digital advocacy and outreach; a social media strategy will be developed to align with the broader communications strategy. Oversee the submission of all social media materials to PAO for posting on the U.S. Embassy Facebook and Twitter sites. Manage the preparation and maintenance of an updated standard information package on the USAID program in Uganda for briefings and for distribution to the public and the media; and for USAID/W, LPA, State, Congress, etc.; including scene setters, program briefing papers, project status reports, maps, photos, information about other donors, and general information about Uganda. Oversees the content and posting of Uganda specific English-language materials on the USAID website to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date/he works closely with LPA webmaster to ensure the Uganda specific pages are creative and informative. Oversee the writing and distribution of press releases on program successes, project inaugurations, significant developments, etc. Follow up with media to encourage and support coverage of public events. Coordinate with technical offices, Embassy's PAO, and LPA to produce and release timely, accurate, and useful written information to local and international media. Media and Public Relations: Promote separate, pro-active, targeted, information and media outreach activities. These activities are specifically designed to push accurate information about USAID programs deep into local, regional and national markets, through the selective use of radio, television, newspapers, magazines, public service announcements, advertisements, billboards, and traditional communications. This necessitates a close and transparent relationship with Mission implementing partners' communication and outreach staff. Oversee all international and local media relations. Work closely with PAO on press relations and maintain contacts with high-level Western and local journalists from all media outlets. Advise and work with Embassy PAO to expand opportunities to keep media abreast of USAID/Uganda programs, including TV, radio and other media. This may include arranging interviews, briefings, media tours of USAID projects, etc. In collaboration with PAO, advise the Mission Director and USAID staff on press and media relations. Ensure a targeted, coherent, and consistent message from all USAID staff and implementing partners. Coordinate with Government of Uganda public relations offices, maintaining good relations and advising on working with Uganda and international media. Coordinate with PAO to monitor local and international press coverage, awareness, and attitudes concerning USAID programs and monitor effectiveness of the communications strategy. Provide feedback to inform ongoing activities and future programming. As directed by the Mission Director, Deputy Director, and Supervisory Program Officer and in collaboration with PAO, respond to inquiries from the general public, media, and other sources about USAID programs and projects. Publicity Events: Organize and coordinate press events for USAID projects in conjunction with the PAO, USAID Mission Director, USAID staff and implementing partners. This includes conferences, openings, ribbon-cuttings, and other ceremonies. Write press releases, speeches, and talking points; organize background briefings for media; compile and disseminate press packets; deal with protocol issues, site selection, staging, and logistical issues; identify and schedule speakers; liaise with U.S. and local government officials; write or edit Briefing Checklists (BCLs), scene setters, briefing materials and memorandums to the Ambassador or his/her deputies when participation in events is warranted; write or edit BCLs and Scene Setters for USAID's Front Office when participation in events is warranted; provide on-site coordination of media. Follow up with media to ensure coverage of public events. Manage the posting of all event information and materials to the Mission website. Review and edit press releases, speeches, and talking points drafted by implementing partners for USAID events; review and edit BCLs and Scene Setters drafted by implementing partners for USAID events. Submit all press releases and interview requests - in-house and those drafted by implementing partners - to PAO (and LPA, when appropriate) for review and approval. Oversee the maintenance of a calendar of USAID program events and its distribution within USAID/Uganda, to Embassy stakeholders, and LPA in Washington. Photograph and/or shoot video of USAID events for the USAID and Embassy websites and for USAID/Uganda's archives. Serve as the Mission's primary point of contact for publicity events and site visits by official visitors from the U.S. Embassy, USAID/Washington, Congress, and other USG agencies or entities. Coordinate VIP site visits as necessary. Coordinate with Embassy on schedules and logistics. Lead the preparation of briefing materials, scene setters, and other information products and processes to support these visits. Maintain a diverse list of potential site visit locations appropriate for a variety of CODEL, STAFFDEL, and other high-level visitors to USAID/Uganda, coordinating closely with partners in advance. Perform other duties/activities that the US Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, Deputy Director, Supervisory Program Officer, USAID/Washington and circumstances may dictate. Supervision: The S/DOC will report to the Supervisory Program Officer/ Team Leader. For detailed scope of work and evaluation criteria, please send email to gnakaddu@usaid.gov and copy aocen@usaid.gov
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/UGA/617-15-0010/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: US Embassy Compound – South Wing, Plot 1577 Ggaba Road, Postal Office Box:7856, Kampala, Uganda
- Record
- SN03901442-W 20150925/150924001002-3b393f8197f94c9d03a3c27efa1f0205 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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