Position Vacancy Announcement

5/6/2013; FY2013.CommSpec

Communications Specialist

University Research Co., LLC

Position ID:FY2013.CORP.CommSpec

Hours: Full-time Regular

Location: Bethesda, Maryland – Corporate Headquarters

Salary: Commensurate with required experience and qualifications

University Research Co., LLC (URC)

URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.

Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.

URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (

Division & Project Overview

The URC-CHS Communications Department provides URC and CHS staff with overall strategic services relative to both internal and external communications. Internal communications include collaboration with the URC-CHS Knowledge Management Working Group; communications training, including guidance on writing, presentations, and communication strategy development; and managing CONNECT,the corporate intranet. External communications include copy editing; branding and standardization of communication materials; drafting and development of articles for URC, CHS, and external websites; developing and dissemination of press releases; and guidance on when and how to speak with the media.

Roles and Responsibilities:

URC-CHS seeks a Communications Specialist to document and communicate the results of URC and CHS domestic and international projects. The incumbent will contribute to the company’s communications strategy and creative methods using print, web-based, and multi-media to inform external audiences about URC and CHS with the goal of increasing the company profile.

The Communications Specialist reports to the Communications Director and works as part of a five-member communications team. He/she often works with public health and operations professionals to plan and implement communications projects. Primary responsibilities for the Communications Specialist include but are not limited to the following:

Online communication:

  • Conceptualize and write stories for the URC and CHS websites in collaboration with staff specialists.
  • Recommend ideas, improvements, and best practices to edit and refresh the URC and CHS websites (in collaboration with other staff such as HR, IT, program staff, etc.).

Develop promotional materials:

  • Collaborate with technical staff in writing and editing marketing materials, including capacity briefs. Undertake fact checking, writing and copy editing, and version control.
  • Assist in developing materials to convey key URC and CHS program results and identify appropriate communication channels; facilitate the preparation and production of project reports, presentations, and other documents.

Social Media:

  • Manage the company’s social media pages, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
  • Help set goals for the company’s social media presence; develop creative ways to meet those goals; and evaluate and measure progress.

Program support:

  • Assist in documenting designated domestic and international project results.
  • Provide day-to-day management and coordination of communication activities.
  • Provide technical advice in communications and guide program staff to enhance their communication skills such as preparing PowerPoint presentations, developing success stories, taking good photos, etc.

Public events:

  • Participate in a team to start a series of presentations on technical topics.
  • Attend select conferences to promote URC-CHS.

Internal communication:

  • Manage the project resources database for URC and CHS’s website
  • Participate in the creation of a photo archive for URC photos for use by staff around the world.
  • Assist with special projects and research; select business development projects and other nonrecurring projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Experience & Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
  • Demonstrated high-quality writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
  • Professional judgment demonstrated through a work and education history that supports the ability to multi-task and meet demanding assignments under tight deadlines in a team-oriented environment.
  • Three to five years’ work experience in international health, communications, marketing, or public relations fields preferred.

Please note:Only candidates who are eligible to work in the United States long-term without a need for sponsorship will be considered for this position.

Desired Experience & Qualifications

  • A strong background or interest in pursuing a career in communications, public health, the social sciences, or a related field.
  • Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Skills in conducting basic research on the Internet.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • High comfort level with writing reports, analyzing and summarizing data from diverse sources, interviews, meetings, surveys and focus groups, and ability to deliver work on a timeline.
  • Comfort and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; photography; and related software including website content management systems.

To Apply:

For immediate consideration, please visit URC’s Career Opportunities page at .

Please cut and paste your cover letter and upload your CV where indicated. Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well.

Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest.

URC is an E-Verify Employer

URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We value and seek diversity in our workforce.

University Research Co., LLC1 of 1