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. We help people overcome poverty and conflict. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives. To grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs. We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions. During our 34-year history, our work has improved more than 170 million lives in more than 115 countries around the world. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.

 Position Title:  Learning and Communication Specialist

 Duty Station: Addis Ababa

 Open Position: One

 General Position Summary

The Learning and Communications Specialist is a key position in both driving and demonstrating program performance across the country portfolio. The position holder will be responsible for documentation, learning and communication. S/he will design new content, and maintain strategies, tools and processes for routinely gathering information and presenting it to a wide variety of audiences. S/he will be responsible for updating the country’s communication strategy and provide direction in showcasing not only the ‘Impact’ of Mercy Corps Ethiopia’s work, but also demonstrate ‘Innovation’ and ‘Influence’ within all programming, reflecting and reinforcing the strategic and cross-cutting objectives for the country office.

S/he will be responsible for conducting, documenting and recording partners’ interviews and conversation as well as cataloging stories/quotes for project descriptions and qualitative data use that feed into needs of Mercy Corps and donor reporting requirements. S/he will be responsible for engaging partners including          private sector partners’, government and local community and communication and data base management. S/he works closely with regional and HQ communications staff to support external engagement with international audiences. The position reports to the Performance and Quality (PaQ) manager.

 Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategic support to fostering Learning

• Facilitate the development of Mercy Corps Ethiopia country level Learning Strategy and implement the internal (learning events and documentation) and external (case studies, learning briefs and conferences) parts of the strategy. 
• Support the dissemination of research findings, including the creation of summaries and fact-sheets, and internal and external dissemination.
• Support the development of program level learning agendas and knowledge management strategies.
• Support the planning, design and implementation of top quality learning and training events and campaigns.
• Work with the Program Performance & Quality (PaQ) team and Human Resources department on the best strategies and tactics to enhance capacity development of staff.
• Identify key internal and external audiences, and country/regional fora, key events, conferences and speaking events to support uptake, visibility and dissemination of research and learning products
• Support the selection of relevant communication and learning related tools and systems to programs, and sub grantees
• Work with the operation team for the timely, quality and impactful communication and learning products and services created or delivered from service providers.
• Conduct regular capacity gap assessment and build Mercy Corps and partners team in integrating learning into their structures, including activities to promote vertical and horizontal conversation, while providing incentives for sharing learning and promote that partners have access to mentoring and coaching for their staff. 
• Ensure that communications and visibility strategies are integrated in concept notes and new funding proposals.

Internal and external communications

• Maintain and implement a communications strategy and plan for the country office, ensuring that it aligns with and supports the achievement of Mercy Corps Ethiopia strategic objectives, Africa Regional and the Mercy Corps Global Strategies.
• Provide communications support and guidance to Mercy Corps Ethiopia’s program team to ensure project and donor communications and branding requirements are met.
• Oversee the development of publications, materials and other products from design to writing, editing, branding and distribution; and work with the country PaQ team and program managers in the production of quarterly newsletter and donor reports.
• Track country office visibility and communication initiatives: advise on the integration of communications plans into program work-plans, and support program teams to develop communications strategies and plans as per donor requirements.
• Manage events and relationships that include facilitating     government, corporate, donor, and other high level official visits to project sites and head office.
• Act as the lead brand manager, maintaining standards across materials, events, and other medi
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members in communications, including Donor regulations and technical abilities such as photography, videography, developing messages and materials for program activities.
• Coordinate closely with Regional/HQ communications focal points to develop key messages, press releases, and statements for external audiences, in response to evolving events.
• Work with Regional communications focal points, program teams, security staff and SMT to facilitate visits from international journalists
• Mercy Corps institutional linkage: directly work with Mercy Corps Regional and Global communications team to ensure Mercy Corps Ethiopia communications materials are linked to MC Ethiopia and MC Global communications initiatives.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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. 

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Social science, Management, International Development, or other relevant field; Master's in similar relevant fields preferred
• 4-6 years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in program management and communications experience
• Significant experience implementing M&E Systems particularly remote monitoring, mobile data collection platforms and managing evaluations
• Demonstrated success with program development and design, including conceptualizing and articulating programming ideas in concept notes and proposals.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with humanitarian and development programming.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Contribute to a culture of learning and adaptive management
• Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Willingness to work in a face-paced, fluid environment on multiple tasks.
• Ability to proficiently write in English is essential

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

How to Apply

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts. In order to ensure fairness to all applicant’s personal inquiries are not permitted.

 Only candidates that are short listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and   diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 30 April, 2021/ 4:00 PM

Please send non-returnable applications and credentials to one of the following address: et recruitment@mercycorps.org

Note: Please make sure that you mention the position title in the subject line of your email application. OR: Mercy Corps Recruiter Addis Ababa: P.O. Box 14319 Arbaminch: P.O. Box 33 , Jijiga: P.O. Box 225    Negelle Borena: P.O. Box 116 Dire Dewa: P.O. Box 974