JOB DETAILS:
Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects.

The RTI Center for Governance promotes strong, stable societies by empowering people and strengthening institutions. Building on the RTI’s decades-long legacy of leading governance projects around the world, the Center works to increase transparency and accountability, mitigate corruption, and help government actors to better deliver on the needs of citizens. Boasting a global reach, the RTI Center for Governance includes partners, expertise, and learning from major initiatives spanning sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The Center leverages RTI’s longstanding local partnerships to bring together governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities to define problems and jointly create sustainable solutions in countries around the world.

Project Description
The purpose of the $13M USAID Uganda Partners for Accountability Activity is to reduce leakages and loss of public resources, improve service delivery, and support citizens and communities to challenge corruption and
demand accountability. The activity will strengthen the supply-side by increasing the effectiveness of national anti-corruption and accountability institutions and district local governments; and support the demand-side of the anti-corruption equation by strengthening citizen engagement in anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability in Uganda.

The Activity has six sub awardees/ grant recipients many of whom have a range of communication and media products as part of their deliverables.

Position Description
The Communications Specialist for the Uganda Partners for Accountability Activity will be responsible for establishing a vigorous communications strategy and annual plans, using media relations including web-based, social media, and printed publications, to support the Activity outcomes which include increased functionality of accountability institutions and increased engagement of citizens in demanding for accountability.
The Specialist’s role will involve working with the six consortium partners and RTI to ensure, high quality deliverables that are compliant to the Activity’s Branding and Marking Strategy and train partners on USAID branding and marking standards. The Specialist will also develop products that support the awareness raising of the program and the support provided by USAID. The Specialist will support coordination of project-hosted events, including logistics, writing speeches, developing collateral, and posting on social media.

This position will be based in Kampala, Uganda. Some travel outside of Kampala but within Uganda, may be required.

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Establish and advise on communications strategies as part of technical activities and support the preparation of communication products for the Uganda Partners for Accountability Activity including brochures, fliers, reports, media clips, videos, etc.

• Ensure USAID branding and marking guidelines are adhered to by consortium partners and train staff and partners on USAID branding and marking requirements.
• Provide updates on the progress of communications deliverables against project activities including with sub awardees.
• Support awareness raising of the program and the support provided by USAID via activities such as a media outreach campaign or news releases to radio, television, and electronic media.

• Lead activities to showcase project work with an emphasis on results, including human interest, and measurable impact examples.

• Strengthen RTI’s network for communications and advocacy with relevant partners to optimize and prioritize the implementation of accountability and anti-corruption activities.

• Assist in the planning and execution of program initiatives.
• Support coordination of project-hosted events, including logistics, writing speeches, developing collateral, and posting on social media.
• Develop and regularly update an annual plan of communication products that covers project deliverables, reports, success stories, blogs, social media, and other products.

• Work with technical managers to write success stories, lessons learned, and activity reports.Draft and disseminate media releases and project success stories to strategic stakeholders.
• Engage and manage communications vendors such as photographers, videographers, graphic designers, editors, and writers.

• Request and obtain signed consent forms for all interview, photograph, and video recording subjects, as well as relevant geotagging.
• Create and expand a project visual library of relevant and visually impactful edited images and/or videos.
• Maintain strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including NGOs, civil society, media, various government levels, and other donor programs to facilitate collaborative efforts and synergy.
• Ensure equitable benefits and representation across diverse groups, including women, marginalized communities, and persons with disabilities across grants, activities, and program design.
• Develop other communication tools (newsletters, pamphlets, project briefs) as needed.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of experience, or Master’s Degree in a relevant field and 3 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills for producing communication products funded by USAID. Writing samples will be required as part of the interview process. Formal communication training is an added advantage.
• In depth knowledge on USAID rules for branding and marking products for cooperative agreements.
• A degree in journalism, public administration, international affairs, or a closely related field.
• 3 years of experience designing and successfully implementing communication strategies and media outreach events.
• Demonstrated experience working with USAID/Uganda funded programs or other major donors preferred.
• Ability to convey complex and technical information accurately and concisely.
• Experience planning and executing training events, stakeholder meetings, and arranging travel/logistics for such events.
• Experience in stakeholder management and community engagement at all levels of government, and with civil society organizations.
• Proven ability to coordinate across diverse teams in a dynamic and multicultural environment.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills, capable of articulating complex issues clearly and persuasively to varied audiences in writing and verbally.
• Strong attention to detail and interpersonal skills.
• Verbal and written fluency in in English is required.