Communications Specialist

Vacancy Announcement

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries, and has been present in Nepal since 2005. In Nepal, Mercy Corps works to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across the country. Through a systems-based approach to market development, financial services access, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and youth engagement, Mercy Corps builds resilience among target communities.

Mercy Corps invites applications from all interested and potential Nepali candidates for the following positions in PAHAL program:

Communications Specialist, PAHAL (Kathmandu based with frequent travel to PAHAL districts)

Please refer to nepal.mercycorps.org for the full position description before applying.

“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women and members of disadvantaged groups to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.

Interested candidates are requested to submit cover letter and Mercy Corps Application Form available at http://nepal.mercycorps.org by COB March 05, 2017 to the address below:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

Attn: Human Resources Department

[Please mention the title of the Position on the subject line of the e-mail while applying]

Email to: np-jobs@mercycorps.org

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Communications Specialist, PAHAL

Duty Station: Kathmandu, with 40% travel to field as required

Position Category: Full-time AND Regular 

Salary Level: Level 5

Current Employee: N/A

BACKGROUND:

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries, and has been present in Nepal since 2005. In Nepal, Mercy Corps works to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across the country. Through a systems-based approach to market development, financial services access, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and youth engagement, Mercy Corps builds resilience among target communities. 

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Nepal, as the prime organization, is implementing a five year program – “Promoting Agriculture, Health and Alternative Livelihood” (PAHAL) program, funded by USAID. PAHAL seeks to strengthen livelihoods, improve nutritional status and increase the capacity of vulnerable households to mitigate, adapt to and recover from shocks and stresses in communities with deep poverty and high rates of malnutrition in critical zones of the Mid-Western and Far-Western Regions of Nepal. The goal of the PAHAL program is: Vulnerable populations in the middle and high hills of Far Western and Mid-Western Nepal are food secure. The target area of the program covers 14 districts in the Mid-West and Far-West regions of Nepal. The Mid-West region comprises of 7 districts; Surkhet, Dailekh, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan and Jajarkot while the Far-West region comprises of Dadeldhura, Doti, Accham, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura and Darchula districts.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Communications Specialist will assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the PAHAL communications strategy. The goal of the communication strategy is to increase the visibility of the Program’s goal, approaches, and progress in order to enhance the Program’s credibility and brand. The Communications Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of Party to craft the outward image of PAHAL and work directly with the Deputy Chief of Party, the Resilience Program Coordinator and the M&E Manager to develop a knowledge, management and learning platform to ensure that that program data, best practices and lessons are efficiently and effectively used to inform management decision making, shape strategy and create a learning environment. As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and M&E are cross-cutting and core components of the PAHAL program, the Communications Specialist is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, governance practices and M&E systems are integrated into his/her work area.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Communications Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop a program communications strategy that is coordinated across PAHAL consortium members that includes printed resources, social media, and online content.
• Assist PAHAL staff in strategically planning, managing, and producing materials for documentation, dissemination in the field, and public relations in line with the communications strategy.
• Develop engaging and informative communication materials (i.e. success stories, program summaries, thought leadership pieces, newsletters, etc.). Assist the consortium staff to do likewise to write and document lessons learned and success stories from the field.
• Link the program’s outreach and communication materials to donor, Government of Nepal, and relevant third-party platforms.
• Assist the program’s thematic implementation of activities by developing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and local media campaigns.
• Ensure that M&E data and performance results can be shared with and used by the senior management team for the continuous improvement of PAHAL.
• Provide leadership in the implementation of the Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) strategy, including innovative ways to encourage development, dissemination and use of KML products that apply to all project objectives.
• Work closely with other PAHAL team members and partners to ensure that the KML strategy is being implemented in the field at an optimal quality
• Assist PAHAL field staff in developing appropriate public information programs, presentations, speeches and other documentation.
• Work closely with PAHAL M&E team to develop an appropriate information learning and sharing platform
• Prepare a standard information package on PAHAL activities that can be shared with visitors and media as required. Contribute to organizing media awareness campaigns, media and/or donor visits to program sites.
• Keep the PAHAL COP and DCOP informed on press and media relations.
• Develop and maintain strong relations with national, regional and district level media personnel and organizations and proactively engage and monitor to ensure proper representation of PAHAL
• Update or develop reporting and presentation templates that are visually appealing and user-friendly and in compliance with the USAID approved PAHAL Branding and Marking Plan.
• Support the capacity building of relevant consortium staff in communication skills through the design and delivery of formal trainings and ongoing support/mentoring.
• Ensure targeted, coherent and consistent messages from all PAHAL staff and partners.
• Monitor local and donor opinion concerning PAHAL program to gauge the effect of the information dissemination strategy and to provide feedback to inform adjustments to future programming.
• Ensure PAHAL communications outreach and visibility materials are in-line with the program’s approved USAID Branding and Marking Plan to ensure brand clarity, and its understanding is maintained at beneficiary, donor and organizational, as well as the general public level.
• Collect project related information for internal audiences, respond to requests from USAID and government and ensure publications are regularly posted and accessible.

Others

• Ensure full compliance with all relevant Mercy Corps and USAID guidelines; keep up to date with changing policies and guidelines.
• Ensure proper integration of GESI aspects into sector specific program planning and implementation working closely with GESI officers.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to the program and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission; 
• Other duties as assigned

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNINGS: As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

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: N/A

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Deputy Chief of Party, M&E Manager, Resilience Program Coordinator and Component Program Managers; other program staff as required.

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Chief of Party PAHAL, Position Description; National Staff Policy Handbook; Code of conduct and Mercy Corps policy and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field(s).
• 5-8 years of practical professional work experience in communication print and broadcast media or, interactive digital media. Experience in development communications preferred.
• Excellent spoken and written English and Nepali language skills and ability to interact effectively with international and national staff.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of Microsoft office applications, multi-media software, online platforms, Photoshop, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate a range of complex and technical information (including the use of data visualization) to a variety of audiences.
• Self-initiator and ability to work independently on several tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to creatively craft information messages in various media formats targeting a variety of audiences
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action as to not delay program activities
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Previous experience with USAID funded projects is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment
• Willingness to travel domestically across PAHAL districts as needed.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A Communications Specialist candidate will have demonstrated skills and experience in collecting, formulating and disseminating project information in the most effective and efficient manner , keeping the target audience in mind. S/he will have the ability to communicate effectively with beneficiaries,stakeholders, donors and team members of varied work styles and cultures and will be able to view people and situations within their greater context and absorb new information with ease. S/he will follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The Communications Specialist should develop a strong understanding of PAHAL program and should be able to express, disseminate and document ideas clearly and convincingly.

The most successful Mercy Corps team 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. 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.