International Communications Program Manager - Africa

Position description

About Spirit of America: Spirit of America is a privately funded 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission is to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. We do this by working alongside US troops and diplomats and providing private assistance to defend freedom, and strengthen America’s national security, and save and improve lives. Spirit of America leverages an unprecedented partnership with the US military based on a groundbreaking agreement with the Department of Defense. Our agreement with the Department of Defense allows the military to collaborate with us, identify needs, receive and distribute our assistance, and provide us with logistical support. No other nonprofit has such an agreement. Thus, every dollar invested in Spirit of America builds on and leverages investments made by the US government and military. That leverage — combined with our entrepreneurial, venture capital capability — provides philanthropic investments in Spirit of America with asymmetric impact and return on investment. Our work saves and improves lives, prevents conflict, and strengthens America’s security. In the world’s toughest places, people experience the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.

Duties

Salary Range: $115,000.00 To $135,000.00 Annually

Location: The role is based in Stuttgart, Germany; however, the selected candidate may begin onboarding and work from our Arlington, VA headquarters for an initial period before transitioning to Stuttgart.

Travel: >30% travel around Africa, including to conflict-affected and fragile states

Position Type: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Post: Accompanied

About Spirit of America

Spirit of America is a privately funded 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission is to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. We do this by working alongside US troops and diplomats and providing private philanthropic assistance to save and improve lives, defend freedom, and strengthen America’s national security.

Spirit of America leverages an unprecedented partnership with the US military based on a groundbreaking agreement with the Department of Defense. Our agreement with the Department of Defense allows the military to collaborate with us, identify needs, receive and distribute our assistance, and provide logistical support. No other nonprofit has such an agreement. Thus, every philanthropic dollar invested in Spirit of America builds on and leverages investments made by the US government and military. That leverage — combined with our entrepreneurial, venture capital capability — provides philanthropic investments in Spirit of America with asymmetric impact and return on investment.

Our work saves and improves lives, prevents conflict, and strengthens America’s security. In the world’s toughest places, people experience the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.

About the Role: We are seeking a communications rockstar to manage international communications efforts in Africa.

You will design and manage programs to help US diplomats, troops, and local partners advance key priorities, “tell America’s story” through creative communications campaigns, and build resilience to adversarial pressure in the information space. You will be a member of Spirit of America’s International Operations team, report to the Regional Director - Africa, and closely integrate with the International Communications team, with technical guidance from the Director of International Communications. The Program Manager plays a key role in building international communications as a new capability for Spirit of America’s impact and growth in the assigned region.

This successful candidate will have a proven ability to design, produce, and manage international communications campaigns in Africa; identify and on-board communications partners; empower independent communicators to reach broad audiences with creative and fact-based messages; and build strategic partnerships with government and non-government stakeholders.

The candidate will demonstrate a track record of impact and creativity, producing a range of media content in Africa, as well as sound judgment, professionalism, and superb cross-cultural skills.

Reports To: Regional Director, Africa, with close coordination with the International Communications Director.

Key Responsibilities:

The International Communications Program Manager will:

• International communications program design/management: Design and lead the Implementation of communications activities in Africa to support regional programming, and advance US priorities and leadership. Identify and contract country-based consultants, as needed, to support program management.
• Integrate communications elements into operational programs: In partnership with the regional team, identify opportunities to increase the impact of programs and local partner activities by integrating communications tools, strategies, and training.
• Identify and on-board communications partners in the region: Identify, vet, and manage international communications agencies and experts to support communications programs.
• Lead implementation of Spirit of America brand communications in the region: Co-develop and implement strategies to protect and promote Spirit of America’s external brand communications and increase public awareness of Spirit of America program activities in the Africa region.
• Lead strategy on information resilience in the Africa region: Serve as the organization’s lead expert on information threats from authoritarian states in Africa and build and implement strategies to strengthen partners’ information resilience.
• Build and manage regional partnerships: Contribute to building and maintaining key partnerships, including US State Department and US military personnel, independent communications organizations and influencers, and public relations agencies.
• Data and analytics strategy: Design and lead third-party audience research and analysis, and communications program impact, through local partners with expertise in the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or related field is strongly preferred, but non-degreed candidates with at least seven years of directly relevant experience will be considered.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience managing or supporting international communications campaigns or programs in the Africa region.
• Experiencing working for, or collaborating with, international public affairs/marketing agencies in the region.
• Experience working with US government partners on communications programs in the Africa region.
• Significant experience operating in Africa and forging productive and respectful relationships with local partners.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of general legal frameworks, practices, and regulations to ensure adherence to international and US regulations related to content production and publication.
• Knowledge of regional geopolitical factors in Africa and their impact on the communications environment.
• Superb cross-cultural skills, networking ability, and ability to engage professionally with a range of Spirit of America’s partners.
• US citizenship required, as this role requires eligibility for a U.S. Government security secret clearance.

Compensation Range:
Salary ranges from $115,000.00 to $135,000.00 based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and 403(b) contribution match to 4%.

Application instructions

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