Senior Communications Specialist, Baladi Cap, Beirut, Lebanon

The Building Alliances for Local Advancement, Development and Investment Project (BALADI) aims to improve public service delivery at the local and regional level promote community participation in local governance decision-making, increase access to reliable and affordable public services, and support participatory and accountable local governance. The goal of BALADI is to achieve sustained and broad-based economic growth by engaging with municipal government institutions, Lebanese-registered grassroots organizations, and businesses. The BALADI CAP Project is a 5-year, USAID-funded project that will complement and bolster the activities of the BALADI Project by providing organizational capacity assessments and capacity-building assistance to local civil society organizations selected to support partner municipalities in the implementation of joint municipal/CSO projects. The Senior Communications Specialist will be responsible for working with program team beneficiaries to highlight program successes and improve communications between local authorities and CSO actors within partner communities. This position works in close cooperation with the Technical Specialists and Grants Specialists, under the direction and supervision of the Chief of Party. **Please note: Only Lebanese citizens are eligible for this position.** Specific responsibilities include: Provide technical support, management, and oversight of all media-related activities implemented under the program. Develop an overall and integrated program communication and outreach strategy to ensure effective public awareness, and effective integration and coordination across all program components. Manage the program’s webpage, as well as its Facebook and Twitter accounts. Produce a monthly program e-newsletter. Oversee all communication trainings and review materials to ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations pertaining to training PowerPoint presentations, handouts, visuals, videos, etc. Ensure project compliance with the program branding and marking plan. Act as a liaison between beneficiary CSOs, municipalities and communications and media trainers to bolster capacity-building activities at the individual and institutional levels. Work closely with staff to develop stories and online content on program activities and achievements. Draft and edit written materials in English and Arabic, including success stories, newsletters, factsheets, outreach materials, and other communication products. Act as the point of contact for all media inquiries. Maintain the program photo gallery.  Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field.   Five (5) or more years of demonstrated experience in generating reports, press releases, newsletters, and other communications materials.  Experience with graphic design software and web design preferred. Written and oral fluency in Arabic and English. USAID experience preferred.  Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.