Press Specialist

Team Credence is a multi-company partnership proudly led by Credence Management Solutions, an industry leading government contractor with a longstanding commitment to USAID and its global health and humanitarian missions. In concert with our small business partners—ZemiTek (8(a), EDWOSB), Claro KC (MOSB), EnCompass (WO), and Global Emergency Group (SB)—Team Credence operates as one team, bringing together exceptional USAID institutional support experience, technical leadership, and an unmatched commitment to BHA and its mission.

 USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) is the lead federal coordinator for international disaster assistance. USAID/BHA provides and coordinates U.S. Government (USG) international humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the physical, social, and economic impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters by supporting at-risk populations to build stable foundations to withstand humanitarian shocks and stresses. Team Credence, through the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Support Contract (BHASC), provides operational and administrative support to provide and coordinate humanitarian assistance and maintain 24/7 response capability.

Part of the Strategic Communication and Humanitarian Information Division in USAID/BHA’s Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications (G3PC) Office, the Press Specialist will be embedded within the Press Team, which is responsible for handling all BHA media engagement and public messaging, working in coordination with USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) to ensure that BHA’s activities are highlighted and accurately represented in the media, as well as in external communications products, such as talking points, press releases, press guidance, funding announcements, and social media accounts of USG principals. This team is also responsible for prepping BHA principals and key staff for media engagements and formulating media engagement strategies based on BHA’s media metrics, in coordination with LPA.

The Press Specialist receives technical guidance and day-to-day work assignments from the Press Team Lead and works closely with team leads and client leadership within BHA, particularly within the Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications (G3PC). Formal supervisory and evaluation functions are performed by a Credence contract supervisor.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Emergency Response

• During BHA disaster responses, provide communications guidance and support to USAID staff to showcase BHA’s lifesaving response activities.
• Write and clear talking points and remarks for USAID principals, working in close collaboration with Geographic Office leadership.
• Generate press releases, funding announcements, and press readouts in close collaboration with LPA.
• Review and clear press guidance, press releases, stories, speeches, and other content created by other USG entities about BHA’s work.
• Draft social media posts about BHA’s disaster response work for BHA’s Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts.
• Work collaboratively with BHA staff to draft social media content about BHA’s response work for USAID principals.
• Engage with LPA on media engagement strategies and proactive press outreach to highlight BHA’s work.
• Field media requests about BHA’s work.
• Pitch stories about BHA to the media in coordination with LPA.
• Prepare USAID principals and key staff for media engagements by drafting talking points and preparing them for tough Q&A.
• Collaborate with members of BHA’s Strategic Communications and Humanitarian Division and across the bureau to produce compelling digital and storytelling content in line with USAID and BHA’s messaging and strategies.
• Contribute to the writing and production of blogs, social media, and videos.
• Work with the Content and Digital Communications Team on the creation of social media campaigns, toolkits, graphics, and interactive maps to highlight specific BHA activities and programs and/or amplify specific BHA events.

Strategic Communications

• Work within BHA’s Strategic Communications and Humanitarian Information Division to identify, develop, and implement Bureau’s strategic communications goals; track and determine impact of targeted strategies.
• Work with division and team members to adapt communications outputs to reflect changing priorities and evolving needs of BHA.
• Develop new strategies in coordination with division and team members to expand BHA’s public outreach and reach new audiences.
• Coordinate with LPA, USAID communicators, and USG communicators to ensure information about BHA is timely, accurate, and strategically aligned with Agency priorities.
• Sign-up for and serve as needed, on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provides services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will be varied.
• As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.
• Look for new engagement opportunities and messaging methods.

• Preferred: 3 years of experience with a Master’s degree, 5 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 7 years of experience without a degree. Additional advanced degrees may be used to replace years of experience.
• Minimum: BS 2+ Years, MS 0+, or HS 6+
• Progressively responsible experience working in communications, journalism, public outreach, media relations, and/or digital marketing is required.
• Required to have US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance

Other Qualifications and Requirements

• Possess strong communication and organizational skills;
• Be able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with multiple, overlapping deadlines and competing priorities;
• Work well with others to ensure that tasks are completed well and on time;
• Be able to problem-solve and think critically;
• Have strong attention to detail;
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances;
• Be reliable and willing to go the extra mile; and
• Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
  • Hybrid work environment (in-person with the ability to telework);
  • Lifting in excess of 25 lbs, standing for long periods of time, traveling across base regularly, transporting equipment, etc).

Team Credence Values and Core Performance Competencies

• Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to meet obligations. Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to organization policies and procedures.
• Collegiality: Recognizes that everyone at BHA and USAID unites in a common purpose and respects each other's abilities to work toward that purpose. Treat others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations. Adheres to organization philosophies on culture, diversity, and inclusiveness.
• Capability: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals. Proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the organization

Starting Salary for this position is $118,000.00 per year