Communications/Social Behavior Change Communications Specialist – Ghana – USAID SAGES Systems Strengthening Activity

  • Full-time

Company Description

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.  

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.   

Job Description

Project Description

The USAID SAGES Systems Strengthening activity aims to improve education service delivery by institutionalizing accountability throughout the primary education system. The activity has two objectives. The first objective, establish the enabling environment for accountability in the primary education system, refers to the conditions that must be in place for system actors to perform their roles. The second objective, increase the performance and improve the interactions among all key actors in the primary education system, focuses specifically on the ability of system actors to perform their defined roles. Significant project activities will take place in the USAID Zone of Influence in Northern Ghana.

Position Description

The Senior Communications/Social Behavior Change (SBC) Communications Specialist will be a part of the EDC / USAID Ghana SAGES senior management team and be responsible for strategic leadership, design, and coordination of all communications activities and of project products related to social behavior change communications. They will work closely with the Chief of Party and DCOP-Technical to harmonize messaging across stakeholders at the national, regional and local levels.  The Senior Communications/SBC Specialist will also be responsible for messaging about key achievements to the funder, stakeholders, private sector, and the general public in accordance with USAID and EDC guidelines. They will manage the project’s social media as appropriate to the technical design.  The Senior Communications/SBC Specialist will be responsible for the development of any tools, materials, and/or training products related to SBC activities.  This position reports to the Chief of Party and supervises a team of staff. This is full-time position based in Accra, Ghana, with frequent travel to Tamale and the northern districts in the USAID Zone of Influence. 

The Senior Communications/Social Behavior Change Specialist shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or similar field preferred.

Skills and Experience:

  • 8 to 10 years of directly relevant experience required, preferably working for an international organization or agency;
  • Demonstrated ability to work with different teams, including government and private sector stakeholders, project staff at the national and local levels, international staff, and consultants;
  • Ability to meet tight deadlines, travel at need within Ghana, and work well under pressure;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication skills in English required;
  • Strong proficiency in the use of MS Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and/or Acrobat required;
  • Experience with social and behavior change communication campaigns;
  • Familiarity with audio and recording software preferred.
  • Ability to establish contacts with local and national media (newspapers, television, radio, etc.);
  • Experienced in social media platforms for projects, organizations and / or businesses, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube;
  • Experience in photography preferred;
  • Experience working on USAID-funded projects preferred; and
  • Knowledge of the Ghana education sector preferred.

Language:

Written and oral fluency in English is required. Fluency in Ghanaian local languages preferred.

Additional Information

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.  No phone calls, please.

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.