Communications Analyst - Highlight Technologies

Highlight is seeking a Communications Analyst - Senior II supporting the Office of the Chief Economist (OCE).  The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) supports the Agency in improving the effectiveness of its programming and broader global engagement by bringing strong economic theory and evidence to bear on USAID’s work. The Office, led by the Agency Chief Economist (ACE),
focuses on three strategic pillars: (1) promoting the use of cost-effectiveness evidence in Agency decision-making, (2) promoting the generation of cost-effectiveness evidence that the Agency is uniquely placed to catalyze, and (3) providing macroeconomic analysis and advice to Agency leadership. Recognizing the wide range of economic matters that bear on USAID’s work and the relevance of economic theory and evidence to the Agency’s work broadly, the Office also provides counsel directly to Agency leadership on high-priority economic matters and economics-based advice and input on Agency strategies, policies, and initiatives.

The Communication Analyst will manage OCE’s communication function, at an exciting time in the early phase of a new operating unit. They will build the communication function from the ground-up, spearheading internal and external communications to support the Office’s strategic objectives and serving as a strategic advisor and thought partner to OCE leadership and staff on external and internal communications. They will proactively invest in understanding OCE’s priorities and work, viewing this deep understanding as essential to the role. The Communications Analyst will work closely with OCE leadership on the development and implementation of OCE’s overall communications strategy, working across the Office’s teams to identify strategic communications opportunities, craft compelling user-friendly products, provide essential support to events. They will proactively surface and create internal and external
communications opportunities for OCE and OCE’s partners around the Agency. They will establish and maintain processes and systems for managing the development of content, planning and execution of events, etc. that are lean and ‘right-sized’ to OCE’s small size and nimble ethos. Consistent with OCE’s mission and priorities, the Communication Analyst will bring a cost-effectiveness lens focused on ensuring our communications efforts are as effective as they can be with limited resources and draw on insights from behavioral science to inform OCE communications. The Communications Analyst will bring experience communicating about technical topics and the care required in using appropriate and accurate language in communicating about such topics.  

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategy: Create, implement, and adapt OCE’s communications strategy, in consultation with OCE leadership and staff and securing buy-in to that strategy. Strategy will cover both internal (USAID stakeholders) and external communications, as well as content development, graphic design, online presence and digital media, and press engagement.
• Content: Develop high-quality, original OCE communications content, and establish and manage content development process to ensure inputs and engagement from OCE technical and programmatic staff on those materials. Content will include stock content and content tailored to specific audiences and opportunities, and will range from, for example, narrative written documents, newsletters, and blog posts to designed slides, fact sheets, infographics, and social media campaigns. The Communications Analyst will both develop content directly as well as support others in OCE to develop content effectively and efficiently, providing editorial and design support and creative thought partnership.
• Digital media: Shape and steward OCE’s use of digital media. Manage OCE’s online presence, including our external website and intranet site, and OCE’s use of digital newsletters to target internal and external audiences and social media to target external
  audiences.
• Events: Lead the planning and execution of OCE-led in-person and virtual events. Surface opportunities for OCE to leverage large in-person internal conferences already being planned by other operating units. A priority focus in the first year of this role will be leveraging such conferences and planning and executing OCE-led Agency-wide virtual events.
• Stewardship of “One OCE Voice”: Support OCE leadership and staff in using consistent, high-quality, standard language. Develop and maintain, with significant inputs from technical/programmatic staff, an OCE style guide that not only ensures consistency of OCE communications with Agency messaging and policy but also ensures “one OCE voice” on important technical terms and concepts. Proactively identify opportunities to improve standardization and shepherd alignment with OCE leadership and staff on
  standardized language.
• Agency coordination and relationship management: Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders across USAID, in particular in USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA)—the Agency Operating Unit with overall responsibility for managing and coordinating the Agency's external affairs and Agency-wide internal communications function. These relationships are critical for ensuring OCE communications are aligned to overall Agency messaging and policy and that OCE leverages the resources and support of LPA as effectively as possible. Also develop strong working relationships with communications counterparts across the Agency to learn from their experience, identify resources and support OCE can tap into, and identify opportunities for OCE to collaborate on strategic content, events, or campaigns with other Operating Units. Manage OCE’s use of any external consultants or contractors to provide specific communications services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Exceptional ability to present complex information in clear simple language to a range of audiences and to effectively translate complex technical topics into clear and concrete policy and programmatic lessons
• Track record of developing compelling strategic communications content and products about technical topics in international development, including social media posts and campaigns, blogs, newsletters, event posters and flyers, PowerPoint presentations
  (including for delivery by a senior principal in large internal and external fora), and infographics.
• Proficiency in the use of Google Applications and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud programs (InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop), Canva, or other design software.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing and shifting priorities.
• Ability to efficiently multitask and prioritize workload accordingly.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with people at all management and support levels.
• Excellent written and verbal skills in English. and
• U.S. citizen, eligible to obtain a secret-level security clearance.
• Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, social or behavioral sciences, international development, communications or a related field and at least six (6) years of relevant experience in policy outreach, communications, and/or international development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with and experience communicating about one or more technical topics at the center of OCE’s work, such as: cost-effectiveness, the impact of sovereign debt crises on development outcomes, the use of randomized evaluations in international development, impact evaluation evidence in one or more USAID sectors
• Experience working in one or more low- or middle-income countries where USAID works
• Data visualization skills
  
  

USAID Assumptions and Constraints

1. Support may be required outside of core hours.
2. Ability to telework will be based on office staffing requirements.
3. On-site work may be required.
4. International and domestic travel may be required 10% or less.

Place of Performance

Ronald Reagan Building (RRB), Washington, D.C.

For over ten years, Highlight has provided Development and Modernization, Secure IT, and Mission Solution services to our federal government customers. Our team knows the technology; we understand how our customers and their stakeholders work; and we know how to implement industry best practices to deliver high-quality, end-to-end solutions that minimize risk and maximize results.

Since our inception, Highlight has had an employee-first mindset. Our mission is to provide employees with rewarding and impactful career opportunities. In 2021, Highlight’s founder, Rebecca Andino, implemented an Employee Stock Ownership Plan to embody and expand our culture of transparency, teamwork and rewarding the work of our employees. By becoming an ESOP, our employee-owners share in the success of the company through their ownership stake. To learn more about ESOPS, check out: www.esopinfo.org. 

We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that empowers our people to fearlessly drive change - regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics. Our team is dedicated to foster diversity within our teams to promote creativity, innovation, and teamwork to deliver the best solutions for our customers.

To receive compensation and benefits information for this role, contact us or email us at Recruiting@HighlightTech.com  Please include the Req ID (this is at the top of the posting under the position title) in the subject line of the email.

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