USAID has supported the development efforts of Benin since 1962, investing approximately half a billion dollars in foreign assistance in the areas of health, governance, education, and economic growth. USAID/Benin maintains a $50 million per year program, to advance progress in malaria; family planning and reproductive health; maternal, newborn, and child health; HIV/AIDS; neglected tropical diseases; water, sanitation, and hygiene; governance, human rights, and stability. In addition, USAID economic growth and water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, managed by the USAID/West Africa Regional Mission in Accra, operate in Benin and are coordinated closely with USAID/Benin staff.

USAID/Benin requires a DOC Specialist to provide senior-level technical expertise to develop and implement a communications strategy designed to inform the Beninese population and other stakeholders on USAID’s work. The DOC reports directly to the Program Officer, within the Office of Program Coordination (OPC) at USAID/Benin. USAID/Benin operates under the authority of the USAID/Benin Country Representative and the USAID/West Africa Regional Mission Director.

The DOC Specialist collaborates closely with and follows media policy set by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer and Assistant Public Affairs Officer on all media outreach, interagency events, and VIP visits. S/he ensures that senior U.S. Embassy personnel are properly apprised of USAID-managed activities, that policies and procedures regarding outreach communications are adhered to, and that United States Government (USG) interests are protected. The DOC Specialist also serves as the primary liaison with the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) and USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA), and with the communications teams based in the Agency’s Africa Bureau (AFR) and functional bureaus, notably Global Health (GH). The DOC Specialist is also the primary liaison with the communications team in the USAID/West Africa Regional Mission in Accra.

The DOC Specialist interacts with senior managers throughout the Embassy, with local and international press contacts, and with senior Government of Benin and visiting USG officials. Currently, the DOC Specialist does not supervise any staff. However, the DOC Specialist works closely with the Office of Program Coordination’s Development Program Specialist, supervised by the Program Officer, who also has outreach and communications responsibilities.

The incumbent advises and works closely with implementing partners on the production of stories, social media content, and other publicity materials in English and French and on the planning and logistics for outreach and local media events. The DOC Specialist also collaborates closely with technical offices and implementing partners, providing oversight, advice, and guidance in developing and implementing USAID/Benin’s communications strategy, including adherence to USAID branding and marking guidelines. The DOC Specialist also leads the planning, coordination, and execution of USAID-driven outreach and communications events.

As appropriate and relevant, the DOC Specialist adapts Agency-wide communications priorities and messaging to audiences and stakeholders in Benin, and contributes information, data, stories, photos, and video from USAID/Benin to USAID headquarters’ public information and publicity efforts through LPA.