Scope of Work  

Outreach and Communications Manager

Program: USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity

Location: Skopje, North Macedonia

Duration: 5 years

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that fosters private sector development in the economically developing world. Since 1964, we have delivered lasting solutions that have resulted in more than 1.5 million jobs in 137 countries. We partner with businesses, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, jobseekers, and governments to sustainably build capacity, create jobs, and grow enterprises, sharing proven skills and experience that improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities around the world. Our major funders today are the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.

IESC is implementing the $7m USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity in North Macedonia. The purpose of the Activity is to increase positive youth contributions to society and collective youth leadership across North Macedonia. The Activity prioritizes three broad areas of intervention:

Component 1: Create partnerships to support the development of economic opportunities that are attractive to youth.

Component 2: Strengthen youth competencies for jobs, progressive careers and active civic participation.

Component 3: Promote values that underpin self-reliance, such as responsibility, independence, lawfulness, strong ethics, civic engagement and striving for accomplishment.

Under the direction of the Chief of Party (COP), the Communications & Outreach Manager will work full-time and be based in Skopje. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of YACO's outreach and communications strategy. 
• Work with local partners to incentivize and increase youth engagement using a targeted communication strategy that will raise awareness.
• Increase coverage and understanding of YACO objectives and activities through digital and print media and other distribution channels.   
• Support the technical teams in planning and coordinating conferences and fairs with local youth centers.  
• Implement a branding and marking strategy that conforms to USAID requirements.   
• Develop and disseminate materials that communicate youth activity messages to a broad range of audiences in North Macedonia.
• Assist with program reporting for USAID including quarterly and annual reports, and other documents as needed.   
• Liaise with local media and public relations officers from local partner organizations and USAID.   
• Perform any other task assigned by supervisor to meet Activity objectives. 

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in public outreach, communications, media, journalism, or related field in North Macedonia.
• Experience supporting outreach and communications on donor-funded youth engagement programs is preferred. 
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and proficiency in the use of styles, formatting, and templates.  
• Strong understanding of USAID documentation requirements, and branding and marking guidelines.
• Knowledge and experience in production of public outreach materials and strategies.   
• Experience with photography and/or video editing a plus, or experience managing vendors in these areas.  
• Comfortable editing documents produced by non-native English speakers. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, particularly with presentations and preparation of publications.   
• Ability to travel around North Macedonia for site visits and communications campaigns.
• Maturity, professionalism, and positive attitude. 
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field required. Advanced degree preferred.  
• Fluency in English and Macedonian. 

NOTE: Candidate must currently have the right to live and work in North Macedonia. IESC cannot provide international relocation or sponsorship for this position.

How to apply: Please submit a Curriculum Vitae in English and a letter of interest. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Finalists will be contacted by IESC.

Deadline for submission is March 6, 2023.

IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in selection and employment practices.