Communications Specialist

**About Mercy Corps**

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

**Program / Department Summary**

Mercy Corps is seeking a Communications Specialist for the anticipated FCDO-funded Land Border Programme. Irregular migration and associated criminal activity in East Africa remain a complex and escalating challenge which leads to significant exploitation of vulnerable people on the move. The planned East Africa Land Border Programme will take a multifaceted approach – integrating ‘prevention’, ‘prepare/protect’ and ‘pursue’. An important purpose of this programme is to support the pursuit of human traffickers and smugglers who are exploiting vulnerable populations on the move. Initial interventions will take place in the Kenya border regions, with planned and phased expansion to Uganda, Ethiopia and possibly Somalia border areas.

**General Position Summary**

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for leading the development of a communications strategy and execution of the East Africa Land Border Programme. They will be responsible for the development of messaging, talking points, editorial pieces and internal/external storytelling, management of video production and online presence maintenance, and promoting and increasing the visibility of East Africa Land Border Programme’s work among different stakeholders. The Specialist will also be responsible for the conceptualization and preparation of the program’s thought leadership events.

**Essential Job Responsibilities**

Communications and LEARNING

- Develop and execute East Africa Land Border Programme strategic communication plan (both internal and external) to increase the project’s visibility within the entrepreneurship and youth employment ecosystem in coordination with regional and global efforts.
- Develop a guiding framework to collate and aggregate East Africa Land Border Programme learnings under a standardized framework, including identifying learning opportunities and appropriate channels of disseminating them.

CONTENT CREATION AND DISSEMINATION

- Travel to the field when needed to research and gather impact stories, photo and video content of East Africa Land Border Programme partners, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
- Work with other East Africa Land Border Programme’s functions to document and curate a library of stories, byline articles, press releases, etc. based on the program’s activities to be published in the media, reports and other communications forums.
- Prepare content for and regularly manage East Africa Land Border Programme’s social media platforms (including website page, blog, Twitter, Facebook etc.) as well as ensure that the programme has an active online presence.
- Work closely with the regional and global communications team to disseminate content through media channels in order to create visibility for the program.

Events Management

- Conceptualize thought leadership events in line with the program’s communications activities including workshops, report launches, learning events, fireside chats, etc.
- Lead the preparation of thought leadership events by coordinating content curation, invitations, management of external vendors, onsite execution, budgeting and expense tracking.

Program Support

- Support the Monitoring and Evaluation team in the documentation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning findings and generate new and innovative communication and dissemination ideas to increase the visibility of East Africa Land Border Programme research outputs
- Support the program team to execute partner communication efforts to create visibility of partner activities.
- Work with other East Africa Land Border Programme team members to contribute content towards regular reporting to the donor.
- Perform any other related duties that may be assigned.

**Safeguarding responsibilities**

- Actively learns safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
- Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
- Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

**Supervisory Responsibility**: None

**Accountability**

**Reports Directly To:** Senior Programme Manager

**Works Directly With:** Implementation and Partnership Manager,Programme Outcome leads; Programme partners and sub-awardees; HQ and Regional Finance teams; HQ and Regional Compliance teams;

**Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders**

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

**Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills**

- Demonstrated experience in communication and storytelling.
- Recognized qualification in Communications or a relevant field. Masters will be an added advantage.
- Minimum of 3-4 years of progressive experience working in communications or public relations, preferably with a focus on entrepreneurship and youth employment.
- Excellent track record in copy writing and editing skills, and a portfolio of quality written products for a variety of formats (e.g. blogs, articles, op-eds, press releases).
- Proven experience in developing and executing communications plans.
- Experience in web design & content production (e.g. video and still photography) is a plus.
- Strong interest in start-ups, entrepreneurship and youth employment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to deeply connect with a range of individuals who have a broad range of backgrounds and expertise.

**Success Factors**

The Communications and Learning Coordinator should be an avid storyteller with a strong passion for communicating impact. S/he should have the ability to innovate and improve processes as well as possess the flexibility and ability to work and engage with diverse teams and stakeholders. The ability to adapt quickly to change is crucial for the position.

**Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions**

This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya with potential travel to programme sites/border areas and additional programme countries (Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia). Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

**Ongoing Learning**

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

**Team Engagement and Effectiveness**

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

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