Contracting Resources Group, Inc. (CRG)
is a Woman-Owned Small Business, specializing in several core markets within the Federal Government. Our professional services depth includes program management and evaluation, strategic communications, acquisitions management, and IT solutions. CRG is a leading management consulting firm, in part because of our ability to attract the highest quality team members through our emphasis on culture, competitive compensation, and benefits packages. Since 2002, CRG has consistently received top performance ratings from customers and teaming partners and industry awards, including Inc.
Magazine’s 5000 list of the Fastest Growing Companies in America, the Department of Labor HireVets Platinum Medallion award, and the Washington Business Journal, Inc. 5000, and Baltimore Sun’s Best Places to Work awards.Description:CRG is seeking a full-time Communications and Outreach Specialist to provide support to the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor’s Office of Global Programs (DRL/GP) at the U.S. Department of State. The Communications and Outreach Specialist shall be responsible for ensuring effective strategic communications and project management.
The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer; skilled at developing communication materials for a variety of mediums and stakeholders; a proactive problem-solver who works well both independently and as part of a team; and committed to developing superior products for use within the Department as well as externally. The Contractor shall assist in the development, tracking and support of program communications across a variety of platforms as well as ensure themes, messages and desired outcomes are consistent across communication channels. The Communications and Outreach Specialist shall engage with a high-level partner(s) that requires skillful engagement and should be addressed with appropriate cultural sensitivities. Remaining informed on the changing political environment in the designated portfolio as well as global issues impacting DRL/GP is to key to success. The Communications and Outreach Specialist shall liaise closely with the Office of Policy Planning and Public Diplomacy (DRL/PPD) and other offices within the Department of State to ensure proper understanding and execution of department policy/criteria for all communication (written and/or verbal) and internal and external events and workshops originating from DRL’s Office of Global Programs are correctly implemented.
The Contractor shall initiate the process of originating events, ensuring that all internal stakeholders are included, and appropriate clearances have been obtained for all events. The Communications and Outreach Specialist maintains, updates, and develops as necessary systems for the efficient and accessible retrieval of documents including event document and correspondence, notifications, cables, factsheets, and special Congressionally mandated reports. The Contractor shall independently track all facets of their work and can provide a status update when requested. The Communications and Outreach Specialist shall apply internal control measures to protect organizational integrity and prevent unauthorized use or misappropriation of sensitive and classified material; report instances of security violations/problems to the appropriate supervisory/management official; assume full responsibility for safeguarding all classified and sensitive (but unclassified) material and equipment in assignment area(s).Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develops communication strategies for the Office of Global Programs in the Bureau and Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
- Draft and edit various communication materials and products, such as talking points, speeches, quotes, tweets, remarks, leadership communications, newsletter content, website content, and other communication products.
- Provide communication support such as developing, preparing, producing, coordinating, and editing various products, including strategy and planning documents, talking points, BCLs, etc.
- Prepare media and publications products based on input from subject matter experts within the office, integrating gathered information into cohesive documents.
- Support the Office of Global Programs by researching, proofreading, editing, creating, writing, processing, revising, formatting, and providing quality checks on various products for both hardcopy and electronic publication, as well as dissemination on multiple platforms.
- Rewrite submissions as necessary to organize, balance, and apply a consistent sense of style, grammar, and flow to written materials; and convey complex information in a clear and simple manner.
- In coordination with the Director and Deput Director(s) develop strategies to quickly review, draft and clear memos, reports, factsheets and other time-sensitive communication.
- Communicate DRL's program objectives to other State Department and U.S government offices involved in programming to include, but not be limited to, regional bureaus, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Policy Planning and Public Diplomacy and USAID offices.
- Prepare responses to auditor inquiries on programs.
- Assist with responding to Congressional requests for information regarding programs and DRL programs.
- Attend stakeholder workshops and conferences on topics related to their duties and responsibilities, provide program monitoring and technical assistance to grantees, while supporting the FTE.
Strategic Events Planning:
- Work with leadership to engage with and advance high-level engagements.
- Creating and initiating events, and implementer workshops
Additional responsibilities may include:
- Liaise with U.S. embassies and consulates regarding the award, management, and monitoring of grants.
- Drafting reports and other documents for the team and program staff.
- Drafting and clearing internal papers and memoranda regarding evaluations
- Organizing and participating in meetings, trainings, and/or conference events.
- Undertaking additional training to ensure they obtain relevant skills needed to advance U.S. policy and programming priorities and meet requirements of this SOW. Attend trainings or conferences to further knowledge in relations to duties and responsibilities listed above and/or hone expertise in one or more following areas regional or thematic area: Western Hemisphere Affairs, South Central Asia, East-Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe. Near- Eastern Affairs, Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, Internet Freedom, International Religious Freedom, Transitional Justice, Monitoring and Evaluations, Gender, Marginalized Populations, Security and Human Rights.
- As needed and as resources permit, the individual shall directly support the travel of senior DRL Bureau and U.S. Department of State officials and/or at the direction of and in coordination with the Grants Officer Representative and/or Grants Officer, conduct program monitoring visits at the project implementation site to monitor grantee activities.
Action Items:
Communications Products and Materials Draft internal memos, reports, fact sheets and other time-sensitive communication Draft Reports and DocumentsRequirements:
- The Contractor shall have knowledge of and experience in managing international programming in addition to relevant education and training, ideally with a strong understanding of domestic and foreign NGO administration.
- Must be able to obtain security clearance.
- Experience working in professional, fast-paced and demanding environments.
- The ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision.
- Experience leading teams and ability to handle diverse work styles.
- United States Citizenship - must be able to obtain a Secret level Security Clearance.
Education:
- Bachelors’ degree with 8-10 years of experience or a master’s degree with 5-7 years of or PhD with 5-7 years of work experience
