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Mercy
Corps Communications Specialist Job Vacancy – Somali Youth Leaders
Initiative Program www.mercycorps.org/jobs September 2012,
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www.mercycorps.org/jobs
Mercy Corps Communications Specialist Job Vacancy – Somali
Youth Leaders Initiative Program www.mercycorps.org/jobs September
2012
Position Description
Position Title: Communications Specialist – Somali Youth Leaders Initiative
Primary Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland (40%) with frequent travel to program field
Program / Department Summary:
Somali Youth Leaders Initiative (SYLI) is a five-year $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 SYLI 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
The Communications Specialist will lead the implementation of
Somali Youth Leaders Initiative’s 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.
Most major responsibilities of this position will be Somali Youth
Leaders Initiative-focused, while being planned and carried out in
co-ordination with other Mercy Corps programs and senior management.
The Communications 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, education, expression and participation.
Where appropriate, link these materials to the advocacy work of
Somali Youth Leaders Initiative, and 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 youth, Somali Youth Leaders Initiative,
and 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.
Supervisory Responsibility: Some National Staff
Accountability:
Reports Directly To: Chief of Party, Somali Youth Leaders Initiative
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.
- Minimum 5 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 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.
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. This location is eligible for hardship and
R&R.
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.
Interested applicants, please apply directly on-line at www.mercycorps.org/jobs.
