Communications Associate, Program Cycle Mechanism

OPPORTUNITY

Environmental Incentives is seeking a Communications Associate to join our team working in Washington, D.C. This position will support a wide range of ongoing communications activities, including overall creative visioning, managing project and communications data, and visualizing and presenting this information in engaging formats within the clients' budgets and expressed needs. The Communications Associate position will provide you with the opportunity to work with a high-performing team of technical specialists to express complex material in accessible formats.

In this role, you will also support multiple client teams, primarily support USAID-funded activities, to develop products and execute communication strategies across a busy and diverse set of internal and external projects and initiatives. EI provides a suite of communications services to support engagement and outreach in the environment and development sectors, including natural resource management, climate change, energy, and adaptive management. As the Communications Associate, you will help ensure USAID maximizes its reach, supports its partners and beneficiaries, and enhances the environment and development.

The ideal candidates will be highly productive, with exceptional creative skills, including an eye for design and problem-solving orientation. The position is full-time.

About Environmental Incentives

Environmental Incentives' Mission is to enhance the environments that sustain healthy communities. We empower public and private sector leaders to maximize the effectiveness of their conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, DC, South Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Nairobi, and Lima (pending registration). Our remote staff and consultants are based in multiple states within the United States, and across five continents.

About the Program Cycle Mechanism

This position will primarily work on the Program Cycle Mechanism (PCM), which is a multi-year institutional support contract managed by the USAID Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning (PPL) and implemented by EI with four partner organizations. This high-performing and busy team is focused on helping USAID to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of USAID interventions in order to achieve lasting development outcomes. The Program Cycle is the USAID operational model for planning, delivering, assessing, and adapting development programming in a given region, sector, or country to advance U.S. foreign policy.

Included in PCM is management of two high profile Agency websites, one focused internally for Agency staff and one aimed at the wider International Development Community. Both platforms are a key pillar in the Agency's communications strategy providing guidance, tools, and a platform for collaboration to improve organizational processes and development programming.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support and collaborate with EI staff and clients to develop innovative and durable products, including fact sheets, case studies, success stories, blogs, and social media
• Disseminate products through trusted communications channels that reach target audiences.
• Manage and contribute website content, including blog posts
• Prepare newsletters and announcements using e-mail marketing software.
• Copyedit written materials including reports, briefs, and presentations
• Contribute to company-wide communications and marketing efforts and other projects, as needed
• Draft content, collaborate with others to create, and contribute to process management as needed
• Help track product development flow on the editorial and design fronts, following production schedules and deadlines and keeping teams aware of any potential changes or issues
• Assist in managing and developing the branding of campaigns and ensure adherence to the client's branding and standards
• Share innovative ideas and industry trends with the team as it relates to clients and their missions
• Help with photo and video shoot coordination, as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, organizational learning, international development, environmental science, natural resource conservation, or another related field and 5 years of experience; Master's degree and 3 years of experience
• Relevant experience such as contributing to multiple communications projects and managing multiple priorities to deliver a variety of products on time and according to scope.
• Experience in copyediting written materials including reports, briefs, and presentations.
• Experience in graphic design and layout processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• USAID experience
• Experience with 508 compliance
• Experience in international development communications
• Experience managing or supporting website content curation and design
• Proven experience working well in a small team environment
• Advanced capabilities working with design software (Adobe Suite).
• Familiarity with biodiversity conservation, environment, energy, or other development sectors
• Demonstrated experience working with teams and clients to strategically scope and produce technical products.
• Familiarity or experience with human-centered design and the use of communications to inspire behavior change.
• Experience with social media campaign development and implementation (paid and earned)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong copy editing and writing skills
• Ability to manage and contribute to website content, including blogs
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office suite (particularly MS Word, Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel) and Google Suite (Gmail, Calendar Google Drive/File Stream, Sheets, Docs).
• Capabilities in graphic design (Adobe Illustrator) and desktop publishing (Adobe InDesign)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to produce quality products as scheduled and within budget.
• Ability to collaborate with, listen to, respect, and celebrate the contributions of others, including others of different cultural backgrounds

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Legally authorized to work in the United States with no restrictions
• Criminal background check required
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain USG security clearance or USAID facility access clearance is required.

BASE STATION AND COVID-19 POLICY

The position will be based in Washington, D.C. Environmental Incentives is implementing a hybrid work model in which employees will be required to work in the office approximately two days per week.

Proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 or legally authorized exemption is required for all Environmental Incentives employees working in the United States, regardless of office location or remote work. Selected candidates will be required to provide proof of full vaccination before beginning employment with Environmental Incentives. Full vaccination is defined as 2 weeks after the final dose of the requisite vaccination.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The starting salary range for this position is $75,038 - $103,500 per year. Environmental Incentives also offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-funded medical, dental, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance for employees, and the option to enroll in supplemental life insurance.
• Highly competitive 401k contributions that start on day one of your employment. Did we mention we offer environmentally responsible investment options?
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time. You'll also get paid time off opportunities each year to vote and volunteer at a charity of your choice!

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application including cover letter and resume no later than August 15, 2022. On a rolling basis throughout the application period, we will review applications and contact qualified candidates for additional information