Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Thomas Willcox

Asheville

Summary

Thomas Willcox is a communications and engagement strategist with more than 15 years of development and non-profit experience covering a wide range of technical, creative, and project management roles.

He is a skilled developer of strategic communications and engagement programs, including in-depth program management experience from conception to implementation, resulting in enhanced corporate branding, audient engagement, and stakeholder trust.

He has extensive hands-on experience designing and managing a variety of advocacy, public information, and marketing programs and campaigns, excelling in building donor/stakeholder relationships and spearheading strategic communications.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

PROJECT MANAGER

RYAH Creative
09.2024 - Current
  • Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
  • Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team's ability to deliver results.

COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY ADVISOR

Franchise Labs
11.2023 - 09.2024

Franchise Labs LLC is an innovative startup company that provides concrete solutions for providing effective, high-quality care for 75% of the world’s people who do not currently have access to affordable and effective health care.

  • Advise and guide management through developing a Strategic Communications Strategy, Brand Identity, and Communications Action Plan to effectively engage and connect with potential donors.
  • Develop and implement donor-centric strategy for partner cultivation and retention.
  • Oversee the identification and selection of third-party media and communications company partnerships.
  • Assist in the writing, editing, and distribution of high-quality media and multimedia content, including written content, publications, press releases, website content, case studies, infographics, and other communication material that communicates the organization’s activities, products, and/or services.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

CHEMONICS INTERNATIONAL - USAID Iraq
08.2022 - 09.2022

Chemonics International implemented the USAID-funded Durable Communities and Economic Opportunities (DCEO) project in Iraq, mitigating instability by promoting inclusive community development, generating employment opportunities, and promoting business entrepreneurship.

  • Enhanced client brand recognition by developing strategic communication plans and targeted messaging.
  • Led communication efforts surrounding corporate social responsibility initiatives, showcasing clients' commitment to making a positive impact on their communities and industries.
  • Increased audience engagement through the creation of compelling content and visuals for various platforms.
  • Implemented robust measurement frameworks to track ongoing progress against established objectives, providing actionable insights into areas requiring improvement or optimization.
  • Design communications/reporting products that concisely describe project results and accomplishments in alignment with donor/target audience preferences.
  • Designed impactful donor relations materials that conveyed key project metrics and impact updates in an accessible manner, bolstering donor confidence.
  • Provided strategic counsel during times of organizational change, ensuring clear and consistent messaging to all stakeholders throughout the process.
  • Partnered closely with creative agencies to produce high-quality visual assets that effectively communicated clients' unique brand stories.
  • Develop and execute engagement plans to expand audience base, ensuring continued support, awareness, and engagement with donor.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST CONSULTANT

RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE RTI - USAID Uzbekistan
08.2020 - 03.2021

The Uzbekistan Education for Excellence Program (UEEP) is a four-year initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve the reading, mathematics, technology, and English skills of students in the country’s public schools.

  • Develop and implement a succinct Strategic Communications Strategy and Action Plan (SCSAP).
  • Manage and maintain donor relationship/engagement and ensure product production, quality, and dissemination.
  • Oversee and manage communications unit - guide, quality assure work, and mentor communications unit personnel, including translators.
  • Enhance capacity - Develop and apply the Program’s capacity enhancement approach (CEA) for Program and external personnel and monitor and evaluate the impact.
  • Contract management - support the selection and management of communications product vendors and oversee the quality of the services.

PROJECT MANAGER

Innovation and Insight IN2
04.2019 - 11.2019

Flagship multi-million dollar counter-terrorism strategic communications project in Iraq; implemented in partnership with the Government of Iraq (GoI), G4S, and ORB International.


  • Develop and implement the project operations plan to ensure a strategic response to emerging political change.
  • Act as a proactive front-line solicitor for donor and operational partners in highly political context.
  • Manage approximately 30 staff, including production, operation, and M&E managers and teams.
  • Manage all contract compliance, including reporting, monitoring systems, risk mitigation, staff, equipment, and daily oversight of multi-million dollar budget.
  • Liaise with the donor and Government of Iraq (GoI), representing the project and IN2 at client and GoI coordination meetings.
  • Track political change and lead coordination with donor on life support and security issues.
  • Identify staff training and development needs.

COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST

AECOM - USAID Somalia
08.2018 - 11.2018

The Transitional Initiatives for Stabilization Plus (TIS+) is a five-year, $67 million program that aims to increase Somalia’s stability through participatory processes that promote good governance and community cohesion.

  • Develop the TIS+ overall communications strategy, which includes the development of social media protocols and engagement, as well as the clarification of branding and marking guidance for all multi-media products.
  • Produce and/or solicit and finalize a range of regularly required written products for the TIS+ Program.
  • Train the Strategic Communications Specialist and provide capacity building to develop program personnel’s ability to contribute to the work of the Strategic Communications Unit.
  • Coordinated successful events that fostered community connections and enhanced brand visibility.
  • Wrote press releases for routine use and crisis management.
  • Ensure proper documentation to track and report implementation impact and partner relationships.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

CHECCHI AND COMPANY CONSULTING - USAID Afghanistan
04.2018 - 05.2018

Checchi and Company Consulting conducts evaluations, assessments, and third-party monitoring for the USAID/Afghanistan Mission with the aim of improving USAID programming in Afghanistan.

  • Act as Communications Specialist for an expert team hired to conduct an assessment of the USAID/Afghanistan and USAID/India sponsored “Passage to Prosperity: India-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Show” in New Delhi, India that occurred on September 25-30, 2017.
  • Collaborate with the quantitative data collection team to design multiple questionnaires for key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
  • Conduct qualitative, fact-finding beneficiary interviews for case study development.
  • Design and produce two forward-facing communication pieces, supplementary to the final assessment report, which highlight results of the Trade Show, including success stories and quantitative data collected as a result of the assessment.

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH MANAGER

WINROCK INTERNATIONAL - USAID South Sudan
09.2015 - 11.2016

The Room to Learn South Sudan (RtL) program, a five-year cooperative agreement, is funded by the USAID - South Sudan Mission. RtL aims to reach more than one million children, helping them gain access to quality basic education in formal and non-formal settings.

  • Coordinate with the Project Director, technical staff, hub, and county teams, and partners to develop a communications strategy and to coordinate and ensure the quality of all project communications with an external audience.
  • Develop innovative tools and strategies to ensure efficient cross-partner coordination.
  • Manage and author donor reporting documents, including USAID quarterly and annual reports.
  • Developed network relationships with industry professionals to enhance community awareness and promote services.
  • Pursued quarterly growth targets through strong leadership, analysis, problem-solving, team building, and coaching.
  • Mentored junior team members providing guidance on best practices for engaging diverse groups within communities effectively.
  • Increased program visibility by organizing and participating in public presentations, workshops, and events.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORP. - USAID
09.2014 - 06.2015

IESC is the lead implementer of the three-year, $20 million USAID-funded Capacity Building and Change Management Program (CBCMP-II) which seeks to strengthen the human and institutional capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).

  • Conduct communications needs assessment and evaluation of the Ministry of Agriculture, specifically local messaging channels (print, SMS, video, radio, digital platforms), and design capacity-building interventions.
  • Design and implement multimedia peer-to-peer knowledge transfer e-learning modules for civil servants within the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Manage and author donor reporting documents, including bi-weekly, quarterly, and annual reports adhering to USAID templates and protocols.
  • Oversee the production of a video campaign highlighting program achievements and target goals.
  • Author success stories, fact sheets, infographics, program briefs, and other outreach materials. Coordinate with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to extract PMP and key indicators for reports and outreach material.
  • Negotiated partnerships with event organizers to secure strategic speaking opportunities for company leaders, strengthening industry credibility.
  • Championed internal culture initiatives that fostered a more inclusive workplace environment.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAM COORDINATION

COUNTERPART INTERNATIONAL - USAID Afghanistan
01.2014 - 04.2014

Counterpart International – in partnership with Internews USA, Aga Khan Foundation, and the Center for Not-for-Profit Law – was awarded the five-year, $70 million, USAID-funded Afghan Civic Education Program (ACEP).

  • Conduct a needs assessment of Afghan CSOs and CSMs to better determine organizational and operational capacity, limitations, challenges, and opportunities to direct program content development.
  • Assist the Chief of Party in drafting the year-one work plan in close coordination with project donor.
  • Collaborate with Internews in the drafting of media and communications capacity-building initiatives for Afghan CSOs and CSMs.
  • Develop internal and external communication protocols to ensure sound coordination with all internal teams, external program implementation partners, and beneficiaries.
  • Recruit national staff and establish communications and program coordination teams.
  • Serve as lead writer/editor for all external program products, including donor bi-weekly and quarterly reports, ensuring writing is clear, tight, and ‘on message’ in accordance with donor reporting guidelines.
  • Improved social media presence with tailored content strategies for each platform, resulting in higher audience engagement.
  • Managed crisis communication, mitigating negative publicity during high-profile incidents.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAM COORDINATION

COUNTERPART INTERNATIONAL - USAID Afghanistan
07.2012 - 12.2013

Counterpart was the lead implementer of this three-year, $45 million, USAID-funded initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society (I-PACS) project. I-PACS worked to create and promote a broader and deeper civil society infrastructure.

  • Oversee the implementation of a multimedia communications grant of nearly $1 million for Afghan CSOs and CSMs, which resulted in the production of 200 radio, TV/film, photo, print, and social media products.
  • Conducted needs assessment of Afghan CSOs and CSMs; designed and facilitated media and communications capacity-building initiatives for Afghan CSOs and CSMs to address identified gaps.
  • Author and manage a nationwide TV and radio ‘vignette’ campaign of $250,000, which helps to publicly address misconceptions about the role of CSOs in Afghanistan.
  • Negotiated partnerships with event organizers to secure strategic speaking opportunities for company leaders, strengthening industry credibility.
  • Spearheaded rebranding initiative for CSOs, aligning visual identity with company values and strategic direction.
  • Mentored junior staff members, fostering professional development and growth within the communications team.
  • Enhanced brand visibility by developing and executing strategic communications plans.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

CNFA - USAID Afghanistan
08.2011 - 07.2012

CNFA implemented a four-year, $20 million, USAID-funded Afghan Farm Service Alliance program across 10 provinces of Afghanistan.

  • Design, develop, and implement project communications strategy, including defining and monitoring media budgets.
    Coordinate with the monitoring and evaluation team to extract PMP data and communicate program achievements accurately.
  • Interface with media and acted as company spokesperson. Developed strategic relationships with key members of Afghan and international press.
  • Facilitated partnerships with influencers and industry leaders, amplifying brand presence.
  • Led cross-functional teams to streamline internal communications, improving organizational efficiency.
  • Guided communications team, setting clear goals and monitoring progress towards objectives.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

CETENA GROUP
10.2008 - 10.2010

Cetena Group is a leading Afghan communications company employing over 400 staff across six provincial offices.

  • Supervised and managed the media production department, which involved supervising more than 30 local and international staff across TV and radio studios and animation and design departments.
  • Developed communication infrastructures, training programs, public relations activities, marketing communications plans, and branding strategies.
  • Completed multi-million dollar projects on time and within budget. Effectively managed project budgets of over $1M.
  • Regularly reviewed and researched developments in local media outputs. Ensured all media productions in line with market trends and staff training and mentoring supported future requirements in a rapidly advancing post-conflict media market.
  • Authored hundreds of radio and TV scripts as per client and donor requirements.
  • Designed and supported marketing and contract bid materials, including proposal writing
  • Elevated company reputation through consistent delivery of high-quality creative content.
  • Built strong relationships with clients, leading to long-term partnerships and repeat business opportunities.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER / FIELD COORDINATOR

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GROUP / DUNAVANT COTTON
03.2008 - 10.2008

International Medical Group is a group of health service companies in Uganda with a regional reputation for customer focus, innovation, and quality patient care. IMG partnered with Dunavant Cotton Company to provide medical solutions to Ugandan farmers and their families.

  • Manage the re-development of a community health center; maintain ongoing communication with the Ministry of Health, the District Council, and other key donors and implementing organizations.
  • Oversee planning of a needs assessment for Dunavant Cotton Company’s community support initiative, a USAID-supported Mobile Health Clinic
  • Author MOU between IMG and the Ugandan Government outlining the program implementation parameters.
  • Assisted Project managers in reviewing project plans and deliverables leading in increased clarity and understanding of expectations.
  • Managed budgets effectively, tracking expenses and identifying opportunities for cost savings.

DIRECTOR / PRODUCER

Self-employed
09.2003 - 09.2004

Democratic Republic of Congo – 2004 Directed ’24 Hours, $2000, 1 Boy’, a documentary film following the lives of children soldiers fighting on the front lines in a war they do not understand and cannot escape. Negotiated access to previously unseen rebel camps and children soldiers within the jungles of DRC, resulting in this award-winning film.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Documentary Photography

University Wales,
Newport, Wales
09-2004

Skills

  • Project management
  • Donor Engagement
  • Strategic & Tactical Planning
  • Client/Stakeholder Relationships and Communication
  • Media Assessments/Evaluations
  • Staff Management/Capacity Building
  • Media Production
  • Corporate Branding
  • Public Relations
  • Media Spokesperson
  • Writing/Editing/Donor Reporting

Accomplishments

  • Managed a multi-million dollar, flagship counter-terrorism digital communications project in Iraq.
  • Oversaw implementation of a multi-million dollar multi-media communications grant for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), producing of over 200 radio, TV/film, photo, print, and social media products.
  • Managed the creative department of the second largest media company in Afghanistan, including 30 national and international staff across TV and radio production studios and the animation and digital design departments.
  • Over a decade of communications management for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
  • Expedition member of ‘Last Pole’ - the world’s first attempt to walk to the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility. A citizen science endeavor in partnership with NASA to monitor climate change in the Arctic. Played a critical role in developing donor relationships to raise expedition funding.

Certification

  • BTEC Lithographic Printing
  • GMVQ Print Layout and Graphics

Timeline

PROJECT MANAGER

RYAH Creative
09.2024 - Current

COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY ADVISOR

Franchise Labs
11.2023 - 09.2024

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

CHEMONICS INTERNATIONAL - USAID Iraq
08.2022 - 09.2022

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST CONSULTANT

RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE RTI - USAID Uzbekistan
08.2020 - 03.2021

PROJECT MANAGER

Innovation and Insight IN2
04.2019 - 11.2019

COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST

AECOM - USAID Somalia
08.2018 - 11.2018

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

CHECCHI AND COMPANY CONSULTING - USAID Afghanistan
04.2018 - 05.2018

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH MANAGER

WINROCK INTERNATIONAL - USAID South Sudan
09.2015 - 11.2016

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORP. - USAID
09.2014 - 06.2015

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAM COORDINATION

COUNTERPART INTERNATIONAL - USAID Afghanistan
01.2014 - 04.2014

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAM COORDINATION

COUNTERPART INTERNATIONAL - USAID Afghanistan
07.2012 - 12.2013

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

CNFA - USAID Afghanistan
08.2011 - 07.2012

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

CETENA GROUP
10.2008 - 10.2010

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER / FIELD COORDINATOR

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GROUP / DUNAVANT COTTON
03.2008 - 10.2008

DIRECTOR / PRODUCER

Self-employed
09.2003 - 09.2004

Bachelor of Arts - Documentary Photography

University Wales,
Thomas Willcox