Job Opportunity: Media and Communications Strategy (MCS) Officer



DT Global is driven by a fundamental commitment to one goal: to work in partnership with communities, governments, and the private sector to deliver innovative, data-driven solutions that transform lives beyond expectations. DT Global—launched in 2019—is built on legacy companies AECOM International Development's Services Sector, Development Transformations, IMC Worldwide, and Cardno International Development. To fulfill its profit-for-purpose mission, DT Global is a key donor to the DT Institute, an independent not-for-profit organization, in support of DTI's efforts to test new ideas or expand on donor partner priorities with the aim to improve as many lives as possible. 

Our global team of almost 2,500 staff and experts work in over 100 countries. We aim to maximize sustainable development impact across a wide range of practice areas, including Conflict Prevention, Stabilization & Transition; Economic Growth; Environment & Infrastructure; Governance; and Human Development. We meet communities where they are on the development spectrum and help them move to where they want to be. Together, we bring over 60 years of experience, relationships, and technical excellence to improve lives around the world on behalf of our partners, clients, and stakeholders. 

Position Summary:  

DT Global is seeking applications from qualified candidates for a USAID-funded Moldova program, to be based in Chisinau. The Media and Communications Strategy (MCS) Officer will be responsible for implementing, overseeing, and managing strategic communication and media strategies that help support activities that counter disinformation through support to independent media outlets and content creation that fosters national unity and social cohesion. The MCS Officer will play a key role in developing and leveraging relationships with key media and communications-focused stakeholders, including national and sub-national government officials, civil society activists, and media outlets to help improve the program's understanding of Moldova's changing media environment and inform any resulting adaptation of strategy and objectives as directed by the USAID or the program's Chief of Party. The MCS Officer will also help develop activity ideas surrounding the expansion of independent media in Moldova and curate the high volume of information that comes from the implementation of program activities, as well as other sources, such as open-source reporting and media monitoring and research efforts, to contribute to reporting and learning materials and deliverables as needed. In these areas the MCS Officer will coordinate closely with other program staff, especially the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Specialist, and will liaise with USAID's Washington, D.C.-based Media Cohort. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

  • Oversee the program's media research, to potentially include both conventional qualitative and quantitative measurement of media reach, consumption and trust levels, and other metrics to understand the trends and shifts in the perspectives of relevant audiences;  
  • Gather and curate information from a variety of sources and perform analyses in an effort to improve and refine the program's understanding of Eastern Europe's media landscape, current trends, and changes; 
  • Contribute to the conception and design of activities intended to contribute to program objectives related to the expansion of independent media and the promotion of the interests of USAID's partners; 
  • Synthesize information from multiple sources and produce easily digestible updates and trend analysis;   
  • Establish and maintain contacts with a wide variety of Moldovan and Eastern European media stakeholders, civil society groups, and implementing partners; 
  • Meet with various news outlets and social media content creators to better understand how the war in Ukraine is affecting the Moldovan market; 
  • Ensure efficient communication with media outlets and provide recommendations on how the creative media sector can be engaged to generate socially relevant content that fosters national unity and social cohesion; 
  • Develop press releases, publications, social media content, and other relevant communications materials as needed; 
  • Create written reports and/or deliverables detailing the results of analysis, information gathering, and/or other projects as requested by the senior management team; 
  • Contribute to regular program reporting in coordination with other relevant staff members 
  • Contribute to the design and implementation of internal systems intended to monitor social and digital media for activity-level and higher-level impact outcomes; 
  • Present analyses and recommendations for programming, potential activities, strategy, and objectives to senior management team members; 
  • Provide support, as needed, to STTA media resources. 

Education & Minimum Qualifications:  

  • Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, international development, or related field. Additional degree/training and certification in communication/new media is a plus; 
  • Five (5) or more years' experience in strategic communications and media relations, with a proven understanding of online media and communication trends, mediums, and modalities; 
  • Experience performing analysis on political developments, political reform, and/or disinformation;  
  • Experience liaising with national or sub-national government officials and representatives on a regular basis; 
  • Experience overseeing or using media research (traditional media and digital media) to identify and target audiences and communications approaches; 
  • Experience working in a diverse and fast-paced environment; 
  • Demonstrated ability to perform analyses with a quick turnaround to inform decision-making in a timely manner; 
  • Experience with social media management and content development; 
  • Fluency in Romanian and English (both written and verbal); 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Knowledge of the Moldovan context and/or previous experience working in Moldova or similar environments. Proven understanding of mass media in Moldova and Eastern Europe highly desirable; 
  • Fluency in Russian and/or Ukrainian highly desirable (both written and verbal); 
  • Demonstrated experience working with counterparts at various levels within government structures and with a variety of civil society stakeholders; 
  • Experience in the field of journalism or communications; 
  • Experience with performing research and analysis or program reporting on a donor-funded project; 
  • Experience presenting recommendations or reporting to high-level officials or decisionmakers. 

Core Competencies: 

TEAMWORK: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust and commitment.  

COMMUNICATION: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally. Demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.  

ADAPTABILITY: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.  

CUSTOMER/CUSTOMER FOCUSED: Anticipates, monitors and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly.  

PROFESSIONALISM: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal.  

To apply, please send your resume, noting the position you are applying for to: Rachael Masey, rachael.masey @dt-global.com.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

DT Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. DT Global prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. 

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