IR3 Communications & Engagement Officer

TITLE: IR3 Communications & Engagement Officer

POSITION LOCATION: Tashkent, Uzbekistan

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full Time (40 hours/week)

About the organization

American Councils for International Education is a premier, international non-profit organization creating educational opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, and educational development programs. American Councils has designed and administered innovative programs that effectively broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, and deepen understanding for more than 40 years across more than 80 countries.

Position summary

IR3 Communications & Engagement Officer will be actively engaged in the USAID Uzbekistan Youth Workforce Development and Entrepreneurship Activity that is focused on preparing youth to be successful entrepreneurs, while also supporting youth, girls and women, and disability empowerment in Uzbekistan. The IR3 Communications & Engagement Officer is expected to expertly navigate the complex operating environment of Uzbekistan while building and maintaining strong relationships between various key actors who are crucial for the success of the project. The IR3 Communications & Engagement Officer will report to and provide support to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) and IR3 Communications & Engagement Specialist. in their strategic communication and development of the professional networks. The IR3 Communications & Engagement Officer will work on day-to-day tasks and assignment in coordination with Uzbekistan government ministries, regional ministries, private sector entities, public school principals, teachers, parents, students and other interested parties. This position directly reports to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) and IR3 Communications & Engagement Specialist

Responsibilities

The IR3 Communications & Engagement Officer’s specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

· Managing day-to-day tasks and assignments of the activity and coordinating internally with the IR3 program team.

· Building and maintaining excellent relationships with the key stakeholders through skillful communication, networking, individual attention, strategic engagement, and due diligence/vetting;

· Implementing and carefully executing the communications and branding strategy, as well as the marking plan;

· Coordinating all key stakeholder and community engagement events that include but are not limited to information campaigns, forums, meetings, and workshops;

· Ensuring that the Deputy Chief of Party and/or IR3 Communications & Engagement Specialist is supported, briefed, and updated regularly on sub-activities implementation.

· Supporting all aspects of the Deputy Chief of Party’s and/or IR3 Communications & Engagement Specialist’s media work, including drafting media releases and preparing briefing materials;

· Supporting the Deputy Chief of Party and/or IR3 Communications & Engagement Specialist in their public role, including preparing speeches, publications, official responses on their behalf when required;

· Proactively scheduling internal and external appointments so as to ensure that the time is appropriately prioritized and spent as impactfully as possible;

· Supporting the regional/national level awareness campaigns (print, digital, radio, and TV) that promote attitudinal changes and dismantle the stereotypes in four groups (youth/participants, parents, teachers, and private sector);

· Acting as a liaison between the public and the private sectors, ensuring that the actions taken by the key stakeholders are transparent, synchronized, and well-coordinated;

· Organizing and performing outreach campaigns and discussions with the government and the private sector for regulatory changes and promotion of inclusive hiring of young women and youth with disabilities;

· Identifying the current state and the areas of mutual concern between the private sector, the government, and the project;

· Inviting and coordinating press, placing news stories, distributing press release, and providing transportation, and other logistical support when needed;

· Conceptualizing and supporting the creation of specific types of communication products (e.g. website, fact-sheets, handouts, articles, Q&A’s, audio-visual materials, flyers, banners, etc.);

· Communicating and regularly coordinating with program management based in Uzbekistan

· Assisting in properly translating and proof-reading of reports and other documents;

· Traveling within the country to contact key target audiences, key partners, implement program events, monitoring, and/or training;

· Other related duties as assigned and when needed.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in Education, Education Policy, Youth Development, International Relations, Social Work, Communications, Public Policy or related field. A complete Master’s degree will be preferred.

· Written and spoken fluency in Russian and Uzbek are required; Excellent English strongly recommended.

· Minimum 4-7 years experience in education, educational management or administration, office administration, personnel management, entrepreneurship, civil service or youth development;

· Previous USAID experience strongly preferred

· Experience cooperating with government institutions, authorities, and representatives is essential. Private sector contracting and procurement strongly recommended.

· Exemplary communication, interpersonal, and multicultural skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships in various environments with all internal and external stakeholders;

· Experience in developing strategic public engagement activities based on an understanding of the target audience;

· Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, confidentiality and discretion;

· Experience working with the youth ages 14-18 in formal, after-school activities or other areas of non-formal education will be an advantage;

· Proactive, independent, and flexible self-starter in task management and project implementation;

· Ability to think critically and strategically and execute tasks in a well-planned manner;

· Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring of results;

· Well-developed knowledge of the education, political, and socio-economic environment in Uzbekistan;

· Ability to quickly adapt to unfamiliar situations and come up with unorthodox solutions to the arising challenges;

· Flexibility to occasional work on weekends and evenings;

· Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office software suite, Google Workspace, and common social media platforms. Knowledge of the video/photo editing software will be an advantage

· All applicants should be able to provide and maintain work authorization in Uzbekistan.

Compensation

· American Councils for International Education offers a competitive international salary based on Tashkent, Uzbekistan cost of living standards.

Starting Date: As soon as possible

TO APPLY:

· Please send to info.uz@americancouncils.org your resume/CV as well as a cover letter that includes the following: (i) why are interested in the position, (ii) why you are well suited for the position, and (iii) what you would expect as a monthly salary (final takehome salary amount per month after taxes).

· Your resume/CV should be saved as follows: LAST NAME OF APPLICANT – resume.doc (for example, if your last name is Kayumov, the file should be Kayumov-resume.doc).

· Your cover letter should be saved as: LAST NAME OF APPLICANT – letter.doc (for example, if your last name is Kayumov, the file should be Kayumov-letter.doc). File extensions of .docx and PDF are also acceptable.

· Write LAST NAME OF APPLICANT – Future Entrepreneurs in the subject line of your email.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – American Councils is committed to taking affirmative steps to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, and strives to ensure that meaningful employment and promotional opportunities are maintained for everyone. American Councils’ commitment to equal employment opportunity is based not only on federal requirements, but also on a longstanding commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION – The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information