Employment in this role is conditional upon successful execution of the contract by the client.

The Work:

The Strategic Outreach and Communications Specialist support the design, implementation, and execution of outreach and communication initiatives for internal and external stakeholders. The position plays a critical role in advancing organizational objectives by coordinating strategic messaging, ensuring consistent branding, and driving engagement across a wide spectrum of audiences, including public and private sectors, think tanks, and client stakeholders.

This position aligns with Cayuse’s core values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Integrity by fostering technical solutions that meet customer needs, promoting teamwork, and prioritizing quality in deliverables.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development of outreach efforts from an internal and external perspective.
• Assist in identifying current gaps and proposing a scalable system for internal and external outreach. Surge on communications content needs for key target audiences in the think tank, university, and validator spaces.
• Advise on, design, and help implement F’s strategic communications strategies.
• Work across audiences (private sector, think tanks, public, Congress, etc.); track tasks and maintain core docs in knowledge-management systems.
• Lead events for the F Under Secretariat bureaus and offices
• Plan and execute events for F bureaus and offices with a focus on delivering clear, timely, and logistics. Field requests across the F family related outreach programming and maintain a proactive posture.
• Convey consistent branding and guidance across bureaus.
• Apply current Department branding standards to all events and products. Serve as a go-to resource for branding consistency during planning.
• Support packages for an NGO/think tank/university/validator audience.
•  Maintain and update expert communications packages to ensure message consistency across State, interagency, media, Congress, academia, civil society, and private sector.
• Coordinate cross-Department messaging on policy priority areas.
• Curate and manage a living database of think tanks, university, and validator contacts, available for both internal briefings and external engagement.
• Maintain a forward-looking outreach and events calendar
• rack anticipated events and messaging opportunities.
• Plan ahead to position events and outreach assets for agile messaging.
• Advise on communications products from a strategic perspective.
• Review all events through an outreach lens to ensure strategic clarity, alignment, and relevance bureau and office equities.
• Monitor and report on outreach and event performance
• Evaluate engagement with content and offer actionable insights on audience reach, effectiveness, and opportunities for improvement.
• Strengthen cross-bureau information flow and coordination
• Build internal relationships to promote proactive sharing of updates and alignment on communications.
• Remain adaptable to evolving priorities and legislative needs
• Source, draft, edit, and review public affairs materials (speeches, talking points, press releases, media notes, social, web, marketing, other messaging) on a variety of foreign assistance topics.
• Other Duties as Assigned
• Performs other duties in support of program team activities, as needed.
• Assists with administrative support of Front Office on temporary basis, as needed.

Qualifications – Here’s What You Need:

• Have experience with US foreign affairs/policy, especially related to foreign assistance.
• Have familiarity with the Department of State policies, procedures and mission.
• Have experience in public communications and/outreach activities.
• Secret Clerance is required.
• Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.

Minimum Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate in a clear, professional, and articulate manner.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with high-level attention to detail.
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast past environment with changing priorities; adaptable to change and a quick learner.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work well independently as well as on a multi-functional team.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
• Proficient in MS Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Our Commitment to you / overview of benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance; Wellness Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability options
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Company Provided)
• Voluntary Life and AD&D options
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with matching after one year
• Paid Time Off

Reports to: Program Manager

Working Conditions:

• Professional office environment, with the ability to work onsite in the main office.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform duties extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed to meet the demands of this position.
• Must be able to establish a productive and professional workspace.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time looking at computer screen.
• May be asked to work a flexible schedule which may include holidays.
• May be asked to travel for business or professional development purposes.
• May be asked to work hours outside of normal business hours.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law.