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.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

 Position Title: COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

 Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Open Position:  1

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps Program Performance and Quality department dedicated to ensuring the development of consistent standards, processes and practices of program management to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of Mercy Corps’ programs, serving as a nexus between various programs and teams.  PaQ department workstreams include proposal development, enhancing monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), quality assurance of program management standards, leading research and learning, ensuring gender equality and social inclusion, fostering internal and external communications, and fostering community accountability.

General Position Summary

The Communications Specialist is a key position in the country program team with the responsibility of documenting and creatively showcasing program impacts across the country portfolio. The position holder will be responsible for leading the crafting of country level communication strategy and devising ways for impact story gathering and dissemination in innovative and creative ways to a wide and diverse audience. The Communications Specialist provides strategic guidance as well as capacity building on key messaging, storytelling, photo/video shooting, and documenting learning.  S/he works closely with regional and HQ communications team to support external engagement with international audiences. The position reports to the Performance and Quality (PaQ) director at Mercy Corps Ethiopia Office.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Lead the development or updating of the country communications strategy, 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 media

• 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.

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.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

 GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

· Understand and aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute for the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute in the execution)

·Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with a team member, partners, and program participants.

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.

Safeguarding & Ethics

·Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Job Requirements

• BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development, or other relevant field; MA/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

Success factors

• Fluent knowledge (both oral and written) of English and Amharic languages. Working knowledge of other local languages is an advantage.

• Adaptable to an international, multicultural, and multilingual environment.

• Good communication skills (written and oral)

• Positive attitude and ability to multi-task and to work under pressure.

• Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time.

• Ability to produce quality results under deadlines.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.

• Ability to work independently and in a team.

• Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills

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.

How to Apply

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.  All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office or electronically include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts.  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: 04 April 2023/ 4:00 PM

How to Apply

Register using this LINK