BACKGROUND:

Passing Gifts Private Limited (PGPL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heifer International USA and it provides services in educating, consulting, training, advising, and providing professional and technical services to individuals, associations, and entities in India and abroad, particularly those who support or are working in the areas of social advancement and sustainable development. This position may also require service agreements, secondment agreements, between entities, etc.

PGPL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION:

The Communications Officer will work under the guidance of the Communications and Knowledge Management Manager to develop and implement communication strategies, focusing primarily on communications planning and content creation. This position will generate compelling content, coordinate digital engagement, support social and behavior change communication (SBCC) campaign efforts, manage media relations, and facilitate knowledge management initiatives to enhance project visibility, engagement, and impact within the region and across India.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES: (including approximate percentage effort)

Communications Planning and Content Creation (45%):

• Collaborate with the Communication and Knowledge Management Manager to develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies tailored to the objectives and priorities of the USAID-supported TRANSFORM project in Andhra Pradesh and other Passing Gifts projects across India.
• Lead the strategic planning process, identifying target audiences, key messages, and communication channels to effectively disseminate project updates and achievements within the region.
• Generate high-quality content for various communication channels, including newsletters, press releases, website updates, social media posts, and multimedia materials, reflecting the impact of the USAID TRANSFORM project along with other Passing Gifts projects across India.
• Collaborate closely with project teams to collect success stories, valuable data insights, and testimonials, adhering to PGPL’s branding guidelines and values. Foster strong partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, local institutions, and like-minded organizations to propel project objectives in alignment with PGPL’s mission and the collective goals of project partners.

Knowledge Management Support (20%):

• Assist in knowledge management initiatives to capture, document, and share project insights, lessons learned, and best practices among project stakeholders.

• Contribute to the development and organization of communication materials, reports, presentations, and newsletters to effectively communicate to the USAID TRANSFORM and other relevant donors.

• Maintain communication materials such as photographs, films (both soft and hard copies), and recording materials such as cameras and videos for story and photo banks.
• Strengthen PGPL’s branding and visibility with the government and development community.

SBCC Campaign Support and Digital Engagement (15%):

• Support the SBCC campaign efforts by collaborating with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialists (MELS) and project teams to plan, develop, and implement communication strategies aligned with project objectives and messaging.
• Assist in the development and implementation of digital engagement strategies to enhance project visibility and engagement, leveraging innovative technologies and approaches under the guidance of the Communication and Knowledge Management Manager.

Media Relations and External Communications (15%):

• Assist in cultivating and maintaining relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers in Andhra Pradesh to secure media coverage and promote visibility of the USAID TRANSFORM and other Passing Gifts projects.
• Contribute to drafting press releases, media advisories, and other materials for dissemination to media contacts, highlighting project milestones, events, and success stories.
• Support coordination of media engagements, interviews, and press conferences to amplify project messaging and impact within the region.
• Work with the project team to create theme-based multimedia campaigns on Animal Health, Biosecurity, Animal Nutrition, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and One Health.

May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in communications, public information, or media, preferably in the international development or nonprofit sector.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information in a clear and compelling manner.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms, including social media management tools, content management systems, and multimedia editing software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of USAID/UN donor reporting requirements.
• Experience with Microsoft Teams and/or other meeting and event platforms.
• Ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically with a geographically and culturally diverse group of stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate challenging situations to achieve goals and deadlines.
• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
• Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision.
• Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and to always maintain confidentiality.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• Fluent in Hindi, English, and Local Language spoken as well as written.
• Have an interest in animals/agriculture community development.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, web designing, collaboration platform and tools, and electronic mail software (Microsoft preferred).
• Constant sitting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of time.