Communications Specialist

Please note that this position is contingent upon program funding.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Youth Education and Empowerment for Somalia (YES) program a proposed five-year $16-18 million program to support formal and non-formal secondary education, vocational training, and economic opportunity for out-of-school youth in Somalia. The non-formal and youth engagement component aims to increase job placements, salaries/wages and self-employment opportunities for Somali youth through the provision of market-driven skills training, business training and linkages to credit, business development support and job placement services. The Specialist’s role is, primarily, to support the YES program and the country programs. It entails giving direction, setting appropriate standards, facilitation and training. It is not one of management or hands-on work in the field unless in a training context or when deployed to assist in establishing a response.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

To lead the implementation of YES program external communications strategy in Somalia, encompassing the development, positioning, presentation and content of youth-focused and issues oriented stories, photos, messaging and multimedia for key public, donor, media, UN and NGO engagement platforms (primarily Mercy Corps websites and external social media). This position will also build the capacity of field offices across Somalia to produce quality and timely communications resources (stories, photos, video and other), both proactively and on demand – resulting in the strong and sustained branding of their key activities, as well as the external communications of Mercy Corps Somalia’s key programming issues and concerns.

This work will encompass five “focus areas”-- with primary servicing of focus area 1):

1) Donor and public engagement communications

2) Media communications

3) Advocacy communications

4) Emergency communications

5) Internal communications

Most major responsibilities of this position will be YES program-focused, while being planned and carried out in co-ordination with other Mercy Corps programs and senior management.

The Specialist also produces regular reporting to USAID and responds to information requests, and thereby works closely with the M&E team to ensure that program information is managed in a controlled and efficient manner. As such, this collaboration results in a positive program public image, and the design of a communication plan to build public, private and political support for implementing various reforms under this program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develop and execute a Somalia field-focused and field-driven partnership resourcing strategy which encompasses the planning, co-ordination, editing and dissemination of digital content (human interest/impact stories, photos, video, etc. of varying type and quality), with emphasis on engaging communities in external/public messaging via Mercy Corps and key social media.
• Oversee and advise field communications teams on the content and quality of their stories, photos, video, web-based multi-media and other resources they produce.
• Facilitate Mercy Corps TSU, HQ and donor requests for youth-focused and issues-oriented communications resources from Somalia, while fostering a culture of proactive story pitching and provision amongst these communications teams.
• Plan, request, receive and edit daily/weekly Mercy Corps Somalia website story and news updates from field teams – ensuring that they are factual and of high quality overall, and also repurposing them for various Mercy Corps and external outlets as needed and appropriate.
• Lead content selection, editing, updates and improvements for/to the Mercy Corps Somalia website, in accordance with the Mercy Corps website strategy, and in collaboration with other Mercy Corps regional and national communications staff.
• Plan and develop website content focused on youth livelihoods, expression and participation. Where appropriate, link these materials to the advocacy work of Mercy Corps and donor offices.
• Oversee the production of youth-focused and issues-oriented multimedia reports, electronic alerts, updates and advisories from the field for the resourcing of Mercy Corps and donor websites, UN and media websites, public advocacy campaigns, emergency responses and special events.
• Identify and edit special reports pegged to particular calendar events that raise the profile of Mercy Corps Somalia programs.
• Complete field resource gathering trips (50% of time/yr.) for the completion of special assignments and reports, in combination with national office communications capacity-building for the production of quality story, photo and multimedia website resources.
• Advise and collaborate closely with the program managers in building the capacity and performance of field teams in relevant areas of resource provision (stories, multimedia and visual resources).
• Advise and collaborate closely with the program managers and senior management in building the capacity and performance of field teams in relevant areas of communications.
• In liaison with CoP, engage with relevant Mercy Corps TSU counterparts on planning and programs of mutual and strategic importance and benefit.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field programs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: YES Chief of Party

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other program technical leads (Education, Infrastructure, M&E), as well as operation staff in the country and field offices.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in journalism, communications or international studies (preferred).
• At least 7 years Extensive experience in coordinating and producing written content for donor engagement, public advocacy, media and community relations purposes.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English (USA style to be followed).
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills as well as self-initiative and discipline.
• Strong sensitivity to cultural, religious and gender issues.
• Advanced understanding of the internet and latest communication trends/technologies.
• Ability to work independently and as a virtual team member.
• A full commitment to Mercy Corps core values and humanitarian mandate.
• News media experience preferred.
• Extensive travel experience preferred.
• Fluency in Somali is required.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Communications Specialist will possess in-depth expertise communications, journalism and web-based information management. S/he will have demonstrated experience with professional photography, photo imaging and graphic design, and their applications to web presentation and content and the production of multimedia work including, human interest/impact stories, audio and video editing. S/he will have good understanding of geopolitical, economic and social issues in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region (or the ability to acquire this understanding). S/he will have demonstrated skills working in challenging environments. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The Communications Specialist will be based in Hargeisa, and support activities throughout the country. This is an unaccompanied post in a highly insecure environment.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of 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.

Submitting a resume online at a job site could cause valuable screening information to be missed.

Please apply directly at http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.