Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist, Resident Hire USPSC-GS-11 equivalent

USAID/Nepal invites applications for employment from all interested and qualified U.S Citizen or Resident Alien for the position of Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist in the Program and Project Development Office under a Personal Services Contract (PSC), subject to availability of funds. 

OPEN TO:                              Interested and qualified U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien

POSITION:                             Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist, Resident Hire USPSC-GS-11 equivalent ($55,756.00 – $72,487.00 per     annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.

OPENING DATE:                  November 3, 2021

CLOSING DATE:                  November 19, 2021, 5:00 P.M Kathmandu Time

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: Initial one year.  Extension beyond initial period of performance will be based on a later review on the continuing need for the position, availability of funds and performance.

WORK HOURS:                    Full-time; 40 hours per week

NOTES: 

• U.S. Citizen who at the time of application and recruitment resides in the cooperating country.
• RESIDENT hire USPSCs are eligible for FICA, health insurance and life insurance in accordance with USAID policy.  RESIDENT hire Contractors are not eligible for any other fringe benefits.
• As a RESIDENT hire, no moving, lodging or RELOCATION travel expenses will be extended to successful applicants.

BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:

The Development Outreach Communications (DOC) Specialist works in the USAID/Nepal Program and Project Development (PPD) Office and reports directly to the DOC Team Lead. She/he is integral to implementing USAID’s communications, with the primary responsibilities of drafting outreach materials (Development Information Products), copy editing (Editorial Quality Control), assisting USAID/Nepal in general outreach operations across the portfolio, and assisting with other outreach priorities that arise.

USAID partners with Nepal to assist in its transition to a more inclusive, resilient, and effective federal democracy and to help Nepal chart its course to greater prosperity. We help Nepal meet in the needs of its most vulnerable by expanding and improving education and health services and promoting economic productivity. By elevating Nepal’s ability to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from shocks (including the COVID-19 pandemic), USAID supports disaster resilience and continued development for broad-based economic growth. Within this context, the DOC Team raises public awareness of, and amplifies, the USG’s foreign assistance goals and USAID’s work and significant achievements. The DOC Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the USAID/Nepal DOC strategy and achieving its objectives.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

This position requires a combination of leadership, analytical and technical expertise, and managerial skills. The incumbent must have excellent English writing skills and be able to meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The incumbent must be familiar with and be able to work well in an overseas environment with a wide range of government and non-government counterparts. In order to be considered those qualifications marked “required” must be met.

Education:  A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required. A major in journalism, communications, public relations or affairs, English, international relations, international development, public administration, development/area studies, social studies or related field is preferred. 

Prior Work Experience:  A minimum of three years of work experience is required with writing or communications that demonstrate skills and hands-on experience in a combination of the following areas: public relations, editing, public information, publishing, digital communications or another related field. Relevant marketing experience will be considered, as applicable. 

Skills/Technical Knowledge: A high degree of English fluency is required (reading, writing, and speaking), an equivalent of a 5+/5+. Given the nature of the position, demonstrated effective written and oral communication is required.

Due to the short-term nature of the PSC, the successful candidate will be eligible to receive minimal post-entry training that focuses on USAID policies, procedures, and regulations that cover: 1) Development Outreach and Communications; and 2) Programming US Foreign Assistance. 

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

1. Prior Work Experience: 20 points

Candidates with successful experience in public relations, journalism, or related field will be prioritized. Demonstrated familiarity with various development dynamics is preferred. Experience in report writing, events planning, and execution, website design, and social media is strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience leading, coordinating, and organizing across and within a multicultural work environment are preferred. Experience in planning, strategizing, and application of policies and procedures regarding all development outreach and communications activities, such as branding and marking, is desired. Previous work experience with an international development organization is desired.

2. Job Knowledge: 40 points

Candidates that are able to demonstrate an ability to create innovative public facing materials, to develop and implement strategic communications, and to work with diverse groups of peoples and demonstrate cultural sensitivity will be strongly preferred. Candidates with a demonstrated interest and understanding of issues related to international development and the ability to translate them to a general audience are preferred.

3. Skills and Abilities: 40 points

Candidates that can demonstrate the ability to multitask and to work effectively and independently under pressure are strongly preferred, as are candidates that demonstrate the ability to take initiative and be creative. Candidates that demonstrate other management skills, including teamwork skills to effectively collaborate with three (3) communications and outreach professionals and the broader Mission Kathmandu (U.S. Embassy Kathmandu) staff, are preferred. Excellent writing and editing skills in native English are preferred. Candidates with computer skills such as MS Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Apps; and Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) and/or graphic design software and knowledge of social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Twitter, etc.) is preferred.  Media engagement skills and experience are desired.

Maximum Points Available:  100

A detailed job description for the position can be obtained by visiting USAID/Nepal website at http://www.usaid.gov/nepal/careers or by contacting USAID/Nepal Human Resources Office.

Please send your application to the attention of USAID/Nepal Human Resources Office, US Embassy Maharajgunj, G.P.O. Box. 295, Kathmandu, Nepal.  Applications may be sent electronically to: [email protected].

The application must include the following:

1. A brief narrative demonstrating how education, experience, and skills address the requirements listed under required qualifications.

2. Resume not exceeding 3 pages in length.

3. Application for employment form AID-309-2

4. Names and contact details for three references.