Social Solutions International, Inc. is a Small Disadvantaged Business. Hispanic and woman-owned, Social Solutions emphasizes quality research and evaluation, training and technical assistance, and institutional support services. We are a mission-driven organization that believes that superior science can improve the world. Social Solutions is dedicated to the creation of social and health solutions to improve the welfare of underserved populations worldwide.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has contracted through Social Solutions International to recruit and hire qualified individuals for the following position:

Title: 

Reporting and Communications Advisor

United States Agency for International Development/Bureau for Global Health/Office of Infectious Disease/Division of Malaria

Salary Range: $96,970 – $126,062 (GS-13 equivalent)

Application Deadline:   Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Malaria Division of the Infectious Disease Office of USAID’s Bureau for Global Health is charged with the technical leadership for and management of USAID’s malaria portfolio including leading the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The Malaria Division seeks a Reporting and Communications Advisor

(Reporting Advisor) to lead and manage the reporting requirements for the Malaria Division and the Initiative at large in its array of reporting needs (most notably leading development, management, and oversight of the PMI Annual Report to Congress, which documents PMI’s progress, achievements, and outputs) and overall communication needs.

BACKGROUND: BUREAU FOR GLOBAL HEALTH/OFFICE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE /DIVISION OF MALARIA

The Bureau for Global Health (GH) serves as the Agency’s primary source of intellectual capital, technical leadership, and donor coordination for the health sector. GH is vested with the responsibility for advancing field-relevant, state-of-the-art research and the transfer of new technologies and approaches to field programs and in technically and programmatically supporting USAID Mission health program implementation in the field. The Office of Infectious Disease (ID) is one of GH’s eight offices. The Malaria Division is one of four divisions of the ID Office.  Leadership, management, and oversight of PMI are carried out from the Malaria Division under the leadership of the US Global Malaria Coordinator as is management of USAID’s malaria research investments (most notably vaccine, drug, and insecticide research programs).   

The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative is the US Government’s (USG) flagship global malaria initiative led by USAID and implemented together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2015, PMI launched the next six-year strategy, setting forth a new bold vision, and an ambitious goal with specific objectives.  The PMI Strategy for 2015-2020 takes into account the progress over the past decade and the new challenges that have arisen, and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to work with PMI supported countries and partners to further reduce malaria deaths and substantially decrease malaria morbidity working towards the long term vision of a world free of malaria.

The Reporting Advisor is an integral member of USAID’s PMI headquarters team. The primary responsibility of the Reporting Advisor will be, together with other members of the USAID PMI team and under the leadership of the Malaria Division Chief, leading the development of the PMI Annual Report to Congress, which involves managing a data call to the field, structuring the report and designing the message, coordinating interagency input and review, and managing the clearance process and final product. Other responsibilities will include drafting  narratives related to bureau-wide reporting needs (e.g., operational plans and performance plan and reports), and drafting and/or supporting technical staff in drafting communications such as talking points, testimony, power points, etc. 

The Reporting and Communications Advisor will:

A.        Malaria Technical Information and Strategic Communication

• Lead the development of the PMI Annual Report to Congress, which includes managing the interagency input/review/clearance process, writing/editing sections of the report content and chapters, and structuring the report and designing the message.
• Oversee the collection and compilation of data from all PMI focus countries to inform the annual report, as well as the PMI information management system, and liaise with interagency partners and stakeholders in the process, including PMI focus country teams.
• In collaboration with the ID Communication Lead, ensure that all communications and outreach efforts (e.g., talking points, presentations, speeches, testimony) emanating from PMI are strategic, technically accurate, and aligned with PMI’s strategy and operating principles.
• Identify and communicate how PMI’s programming supports broader development initiatives and goals, including universal health care, capacity building, and ultimately the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Ensure PMI’s web pages, social medial presence, and other online content are up-to-date and aligned with PMI and Agency priorities.
• Edit documents to ensure that messages are effectively conveyed in a clear and concise manner.
• Provide input on the development of PMI presentations by the Acting PMI Coordinator, Infectious Disease Office and Malaria Division leadership, and program staff for relevant PMI and malaria technical and communications content.
• Help coordinate internal coordination between PMI HQ and the field.

B.      Documentation and Reporting

 Keep abreast of new developments and emerging issues in malaria that affect USAID’s technical priorities via literature review, attendance at technical meetings and workshops, and participation in relevant training events.  Formulate recommendations for the malaria team’s responses to these developments and share with colleagues, bureau leadership, and missions. 

• Master’s degree in either public health, communications, international health, international relations, social sciences, or related degree.
• Minimum seven years’ relevant experience in reporting/communications related to international development and public health (specific to malaria is desirable).
• Excellent leadership, communications, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and international partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and to communicate technical health and policy information to both health and non-health audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both verbally and in writing in English.
• French language skills desirable.
• US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required.
• Computer skills in MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Access.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
• A Secret security clearance is required and must be obtained.

Social Solutions International offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Please submit your resume online at www.social solutions.biz

Social Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.