Communications Officer/Driver

Vacancy Announcement

Position Title: Communications Officer

Duty Station: Kathmandu with travel to the field as needed

Position Category: Contract

Salary Level: 3

Current Employee : None

PROGRAM /DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping to build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps began operations in Nepal in 2005, and since then has implemented projects in the sectors of agriculture, food security and nutrition, financial services, youth engagement, and disaster risk reduction/ climate change adaptation.

Mercy Corps Nepal is leading a consortium of international, national and local district nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to implement the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Food for Peace (FFP)-funded Promoting Agriculture, Health and Alternative Livelihoods (PAHAL) program. The goal of the program is to achieve food security among vulnerable populations in 14 districts in the middle and high hills of Far Western and Mid-Western Nepal. PAHAL uses a resilience framework to learn, cope, adapt, and transform in the face of shocks and stresses

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Nepal is seeking a Communications Officer to assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the PAHAL communication 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 Officer will be under the supervision of the Chief of Party to craft the outward image of the program and working closely with the Deputy Chief of Party and the Program Coordinator to ensure highlighting of key activities and themes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develop a program communications strategy that is coordinated across PAHAL consortium members that includes printed resources, social media, and online content.
• Assist PAHAL to strategically plan, manage, and produce 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 in the program’s thematic implementation activities with developing Information,Education and Communication (IEC) materials and local media campaigns.
• Assist PAHAL field staff to develop appropriate public information programs, presentations, speeches and other documentation.
• Prepare a standard information package on the PAHAL activities that can be shared with visitors and media as required. Contribute to organizing media awareness campaigns, media visits or donor visits to the program sites.
• Keep the PAHAL COP and DCOP informed on press and media relations. 
• Update or develop reporting and presentation templates that are visually appealing and user-friendly.
• Supports 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 USAID Branding and Marking Strategies to ensure brand clarity, and its understanding is maintained at beneficiary, donor, and organizational as well as general public level.
• Collect project related information for internal audiences, respond to requests from USAID, government and ensure publications are regularly posted and accessible.
• 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.
• 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Deputy Chief of Party, Program Coordinator and other consortium staff as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field(s).
• Between four to five years of practical professional work experience in communication print and broadcast media or interactive digital media. Experience in development communication preferred.
• The candidate must have excellent written and spoken English and Nepali skills.
• Expertise in using Microsoft Office software, 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.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside an organization.
• 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
• Willingness to travel domestically across PAHAL districts as needed.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful 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 Officer 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.

Position Title: DRIVER

Duty Station: Kathmandu

Position Category: Contract

Salary Level: 1

Current Employee:

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Driver will work within the Logistics department of Operational Support structure, committed to provide reliable and compliant support to program activities in order to achieve efficient service to program beneficiaries.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The driver will provide safe, transport services for MC PAHAL program and support staff. The driver will adhere to all traffic and MC safety rules and follow the transport guidelines required by the MC transport department.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Operate MC vehicles as assigned by supervisor;
• Maintain vehicle log-sheets in accordance with MC policies/regulations;
• Check the vehicle conditions after each trip/routinely – report needs and problems to transport management;
• Adhere to all safety and communication protocols as advised by Mercy Corps and supervisor;
• Responsible for the safekeeping of all vehicle equipment, tools, first aid kits, spares etc.;
• Keep the vehicle ready, clean and on standby – ready for use at all times;
• Cooperate and be of assistance to staff and visitors – assist in troubleshooting potential problems during daily business;
• Report all maintenance needs of the vehicle to transport management on a regular basis;
• Undertake field assignments as assigned;
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not  jeopardize its humanitarian mission in country of operation;
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Senior Logistics Officer

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:

Co-ordinates with Mercy Corps PAHAL program and operations staff in the office.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

Valid drivers license and experience driving 4x4 vehicles. Must respect and adhere to all safety and traffic rules. Basic understanding of English and fluency in all local languages is required. Knowledge of routes, duty stations, project areas, the NGO and diplomatic community is required.

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 are strongly encouraged to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.

Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter along with the Mercy Corps Nepal Application Form by February 13, 2016 to the address below.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

Attn: Human Resources Department

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

Email to: jobs@np.mercycorps.org