Strategic Communications Consultant (STTA), Somalia

DT Global works in partnership with communities, governments, and the private sector to deliver innovative solutions that transform lives. DT Global – launched in 2019 – is built on legacy companies AECOM’s International Development Services Sector, Development Transformations, IMC Worldwide, and Cardno International Development. To fulfill its profit-for-purpose mission, DT Global is a key donor to the DT Institute, an independent not-for-profit organization, in support of DTI’s efforts to test new ideas or expand on donor partner priorities to improve as many lives as possible.

Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries. We bring over 60 years of experience, relationships, and technical excellence to improve lives on behalf of our partners, clients, and stakeholders. We aim to maximize sustainable development impact across a wide range of practice areas, including Conflict Prevention, Stabilization & Transition; Economic Growth; Environment & Infrastructure; Governance; and Human Development. Together, we aim to positively impact 500 million lives by 2045.

Overview: DT Global is seeking a Strategic Communications Consultant to conduct a quick desk review of current communications practices on the Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) program and to design and guide the implementation of a comprehensive communication and visibility strategy. The communication and visibility strategy will target internal and external audiences including, but not limited to, program target beneficiaries, development partners, donors, and government at both the Federal and State levels. The Strategic Communications Consultant will lay the groundwork for future program communications by ensuring that the IRiS key messages are well-communicated to all audiences and that the activity’s visibility is noticeably increased based on the strategy that will be developed and implemented, trainings that will be convened, and communications materials that will be produced. Under the guidance of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director, the Strategic Communications Consultant will design, produce, and implement communications strategies and work-plans to support the IRiS positioning and enhance its visibility among the target audiences.

Project Background: The Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) Activity aims to accelerate economic development for marginalized groups in the targeted areas of Somalia by increasing individual, household, business, community, and system-wide resilience through rural and urban livelihood diversification and promoting inclusive economic market systems to combat real and perceived grievances that contribute to social stresses. Implemented across targeted USAID’s CDCS Focal Zones, IRiS works with a range of institutions and partners to deliver a suite of flexible and context-relevant interventions at the Community, State, and Federal levels. Specifically, the program will:

Strengthen and diversify rural and urban livelihoods for marginalized groups
Promote economic agency of marginalized groups
Duration: 90 days, with possible extension

Location: 30 days in Mogadishu and 60 days remote

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Produce a high-quality Communications Strategy which includes approaches, mechanisms, methodologies, and tools for the entire period of the activity. The strategy should cover a communications protocol for the IRiS team, the consortium partners, and the interactions with the USAID; The strategy should also entail a comprehensive approach to producing high-quality status updates for IRiS through its social media channels with the aim of enhancing the program visibility.
The strategy should include templates and examples of high-quality written content, publications, press releases, social media content, success stories, infographics and other communication materials that support the IRiS activity. Ultimately, the strategy should lay the foundation to showcase the IRiS profile and its strategic role in supporting marginalized populations in Somalia.
Produce an Annual Strategic Communications Plan (ASCP) that can be easily customized on a yearly basis; the ASCP would be a well-defined set of activities with defined timeframes and implementation methodologies that the IRiS communications team would implement on an annual basis. The consultant is in charge of mapping the next year’s strategic communication activities. The ASCP should cover a detailed action-plan for launching social media engagement campaigns and produce and/or solicit, finalize, and disseminate a range of multimedia products, (in accordance with the USAID ADS Chapter 558).
Research, design, edit, and produce high-quality communication products for various target groups and ensure that effective platforms and tools are selected for reaching out to the audiences in Somalia. The Consultant should also supervise the production of high-quality infographics, and other GIS-based communications products.
The Consultant will conduct capacity building efforts, including training or on-site mentorship to the IRiS team and consortium partners, in areas of strategic communications, media monitoring, and producing high-quality contents. He/she will develop a SOW for a third-party communications and media partner, as needed.
Take lead in Public Relations (PR) and media engagement efforts by identifying Somalia’s pool of influencers and effective dissemination channels. Conduct regular meetings and set precedent for future cooperation among the IRiS, Somalia media, social activists, influencers, advocacy groups, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Other duties, as assigned and agreed upon with the supervisor and/or DCOP.
Deliverables:

Review of existing communication practices and procedures eJXpJCQ B2w2mq
Communications Strategy
Annual Strategic Communications Plan
High-quality need-based communications products
Capacity building (training, coaching, and mentoring)
Networking with influencers and identifying potential dissemination channels.
Education and Minimum Qualifications:

University Degree in Mass Media, Communications, Journalism, or related field preferred
Minimum 5 years of experience implementing and developing communication strategies for USAID or other U.S. government-funded programs strongly preferred
Experience producing written and multimedia communications products required
Demonstrated experience in producing impactful messages and reports, such as success stories, and other similar reports, for USAID and other relevant audiences.
Experience using MS Office, Adobe Creative Suit, especially Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier, and Online Designing
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Proven self-starter with ability to work independently and within a team
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

DT Global, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. DT Global, LLC prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.