Communication specialist

ICF is seeking a Communications Specialist, Outreach and Engagement to serve as a Regional Community Engagement Specialist to support a federal agency that is focused on building resiliency in communities across the U.

S. Your work will contribute to ensuring communities and tribal nations increase resiliency and reduce risk from disasters and natural hazards.

You will work with federal staff and local communities to build partnerships designed to increase community engagement and participation in planning efforts and projects designed to increase resilience to disasters.

The role is based in various locations . It presents a great chance to influence and support community development and resilience programs, expand the program's outreach, and create valuable engagements that encourage growth and innovation at the local level.

The primary responsibilities include coordinating with federal officials at the regional level and providing direct technical assistance to local communities for community outreach and engagement.

You will work closely with stakeholders to enhance community resilience by fostering collaboration, promoting community participation, and implementing effective engagement strategies.

Key Responsibilities :

• Coordinate with federal staff at the regional level to align community engagement efforts with federal goals and objectives.
• Work with local communities and tribal nations to develop and implement community outreach and engagement initiatives to increase community resilience.
• Conduct research on and build and maintain relationships with community leaders, organizations, government agencies and tribal nations to foster collaboration and support for resilience planning and projects.
• Coordinate listening sessions within local communities and tribal nations to understand needs, knowledge around hazards, and current resilience projects.
• Development and implement community engagement plans and outreach strategies to support the overall program objectives and ensure broad and diverse community participation.
• Work with communities and tribal nations to form steering committees to inform resilience strategies and encourage community-led action.
• Conduct training sessions and workshops to build community capacity in resilience and preparedness, focusing on community engagement and participation.
• Develop and disseminate information about resiliency and its benefits to local communities through various channels, including webinars and workshops, presentations, fact sheets, stories, infographics, etc.
• Collect and analyze data on community engagement activities to measure the effectiveness of outreach efforts and identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to leverage resources and develop partnerships that enhance community resilience and engagement.
• Prepare regular reports on community engagement activities, progress, and outcomes for program evaluation and reporting purposes.

Qualifications :

• BS / BA degree
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in community engagement, communications, and / or project management.
• Strong understanding of community engagement principles, best practices, and strategies which include at least one of the following : 3 years experience working with internal and external stakeholders.

3 years working alongside a government agency on program implementation for community engagement initiatives.

3 years in project management for communications-focused projects which includes strategic planning, implementation and reporting.

Nice to Have :

• Familiarity with disaster management and resilience is a plus.
• Proficient in data collection, analysis, and reporting to measure the effectiveness of community engagement efforts.

Preferred Qualifications :

Professional Skills :

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders and present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with community leaders, organizations, and government agencies.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to effectively plan, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks and activities.
• Sensitivity and understanding of diverse cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and community dynamics.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.

Last updated : 2024-06-21