Description
Location – Mogadishu- Somalia
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.
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 has been operating in Somalia since 2008. With a staff of around 100 people and programs operating throughout the country, Mercy Corps’ overall country goal is building a peaceful and prosperous Somalia where all people feel secure, are economically empowered, and are meaningfully engaged. Mercy Corps’ current portfolio in Somalia focuses on humanitarian response and resilience; inclusive economic growth; enhancing trust and accountability between communities and their government; and improving youth livelihood and education opportunities. All Mercy Corps interventions in Somalia are implemented in a conflict and gender sensitive manner.
Mercy Corps is seeking a Communication and Learning Advisor for the five-year USAID-funded Somalia Resilience Population Measurement (RPM) Activity. RPM aims to develop and lead a resilience measurement system on the collective resilience outcomes at a population level and build the capacity of participating stakeholders to estimate individual contributions to collective resilience outcomes. The Activity will establish a common measurement and analytics process among diverse actors in Somalia to link single-program-focused resilience capacity measurement methodologies previously piloted in Somalia and advance analytics to link diverse stakeholder-level contributions to collective, population-level resilience outcomes. The goal of RPM is to inform and improve stakeholder activities that contribute to resilience capacities that matter most for populations in the target zone. This will be achieved through two objectives: 1). Participating stakeholders have the ability to estimate individual contributions to collective resilience capacities, and 2). Population level change in resilience is assessed through an innovative mixed methods measurement system.
General Position Summary
Mercy Corps is seeking a dynamic and experienced Communication and Learning Advisor to play a pivotal role in developing RPM’s communication strategy and facilitating knowledge transfer of project results with key stakeholders through communication products The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in communication, and able to synthesize and translate technical research results and information into easily understandable content. This role will involve leading the development and execution of RPM’s dissemination plan, as well as ensuring that research findings are effectively communicated and integrated into RPM’s learning processes. This role will synthesize complex data and research into clear, compelling narratives and presentations tailored for diverse audiences including USAID, other donors and implementing partners, media, and the general public. The role will support both Objective 1 and 2 of the Activity.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy and Technical Management
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Communication Strategy Implementation: Lead the implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with the Activity goals and objectives. Create and maintain a communications content calendar, ensuring a consistent and engaging presence across various communication channels.
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Research Synthesis: Review and synthesize complex technical research findings and transform them into easily digestible and accessible communication materials. Collaborate with subject matter experts to clarify and simplify technical information for a broader audience.
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Knowledge Translation: Bridge the gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders by translating technical jargon into plain, easy-to-understand language. Develop educational materials, presentations, and training programs to facilitate the transfer of technical knowledge from RPM’s technical team to key stakeholders, including USAID.
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Development of Communication Products: Create high-level communication materials such as briefs, infographics, and executive summaries to distill complex research findings for different audiences. Ensure that research products are visually appealing, informative, and aligned with the Activity and USAID branding and marking requirements.
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Stakeholder Engagement: Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring that they are informed and engaged with the organization’s activities and achievements. Work with teams across Partners to identify their communication needs and tailor strategies accordingly. Lead communications with the USAID regarding Activity implementation, knowledge management, and information dissemination.
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Monitoring and Evaluation: Track and analyze the impact of communication strategies and adjust them as needed to achieve desired outcomes. Gather feedback from stakeholders, including USAID, to continuously improve RPM’s communication and learning initiatives.
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Team Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including MEL, HR, and technical departments, to align communication efforts with RPM’s overall objectives.
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Facilitation of trainings: Support the facilitation of resilience learning journey workshops on the resilience storytelling, lead the development of communication content trainings for journalist and digital content creators.
Influence & Representation
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Build and manage collaborative partnerships with USAID, local authorities, other implementing organizations and other key stakeholders.
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Present research and learning to USAID and external key stakeholders in a way that influences decision-makers and promotes adaptations from learning.
Security
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Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to ensure communication strategy and products promote and maintain the safety and security of all team members.
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Ensure that communication activities are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
Organizational Learning
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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 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
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Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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
Communication Manager and Storytelling Officer
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Chief of Party, Resilience Portfolio Measurement Activity
Works Directly With: Director of Research, Resilience MEL manager, Data Coordinator and other members of the RPM Applied Learning team as well as Short-Term Technical Assistants, Somalia MEL, and Mercy Corps HQ research and technical support team members.
Knowledge and Experience
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-Master’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field. Alternatively, bachelor’s degree with minimum 8 years experiences
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-Proven experience (5+ years) in a communication or knowledge translation role, preferably in a technical or research-oriented environment for USAID programs
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-Ability to write story-driven content about complex technical subjects and projects that engage target audiences.
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-Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
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-Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to simplify complex technical information for various audiences.
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-Strong project management skills and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines within stated timelines.
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-Proficiency in using communication tools and platforms, including social media, content management systems, and email marketing.
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-Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
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-Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities to develop and execute effective communication strategies.
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-Experience in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of communication initiatives.
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-Proficiency in data analytics and the ability to leverage data to drive communication decisions and strategies
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-Fluency in English is required, both verbal and written communication.
Success Factors
Success as a Communication and Learning Advisor hinges on a combination of skills and attributes, including strong communication abilities for translating technical information, strategic thinking to align communication strategies with organizational goals, creativity in content development, effective project management, collaboration and relationship-building, adaptability, proficiency in data analysis, technical expertise in communication tools, problem-solving, attention to detail, stakeholder engagement, a passion for continuous learning, flexibility, results orientation, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities, all contributing to the effective development and execution of communication strategies and knowledge transfer initiatives, ultimately serving the organization’s mission and objectives.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Mercy Corps offices in Mogadishu Somalia, and it may require some travel to other regional offices when required for meetings and other functions. Accommodation is provided in group housing. The Communication and Learning Advisor will support activities throughout Somalia. Mobility in Somalia is restricted and must first be cleared with the Security Advisor. This is an unaccompanied post and eligible for Hardship and R&R. The standard Somali work week is Sunday – Thursday.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDT 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 et all times and in all in-country.
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 professional growth and development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving Mercy Corps 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.
Mercy Corps recognizes 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.
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. 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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
