Description
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Program
Nawiri is an eight-year USAID-Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) funded program implemented by a consortium of international and national partners, led by Mercy Corps. The goal of the program is to reduce persistent acute malnutrition in the two counties of Turkana and Samburu in northern Kenya. Nawiri has just started its fifth year of implementation, which included two and a half years of operational research which informed the design of the programs.
Nawiri is a multi-sectoral program that integrates resilient livelihoods, access to improved water, health and sanitation services, strengthening community health systems, conflict and natural resource management, strengthening community and government institutions and systems amongst others.
The Mercy Corps’ NAWIRI consortium brings together the global leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions.
Position Summary
The Communication Manager should be a dynamic, creative, and a visionary individual with a keen sense of news and an ability to see the bigger picture. This role is focused on crafting and executing an ambitious and effective communications strategy aimed at enhancing USAID Nawiri’s public profile and influence.
They will be responsible for leading communications and media efforts, including overseeing management and upgrade of communications channels including the website and social media accounts; setting, measuring and reporting on reach targets; writing and publication of key documents such as annual reports, learning briefs and impact materials; managing communications aspects relating to key high profile events and workshops; expanding media contacts and increasing USAID Nawiri’s media presence; and ensuring the highest quality of work from external designers, photographers, and other media production specialists.
The Communications Manager must be a strong communicator and team leader, focused on building capacity and empowering the team to achieve common communications objectives. They will provide technical supervision to the County Communications team members, and support the USAID Nawiri Team in articulating programmatic impact in our communities to advance profile-raising, advocacy and learning goals. The Communications Manager will actively elevate the program’s reputation as a reference point for an informed and meaningful voice on key issues related to persistent acute malnutrition in the Arid & Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & Vision
- Develop and implement an ambitious communications strategy which aligns with USAID Nawiri’s Evidence, Learning and Impact Agenda, Mercy Corps Kenya’s Pathway to Possibility Strategy and Mercy Corps’ Africa Regional Communications Strategy.
- Oversee the preparation and implementation of detailed communications workplans at national and county level, setting the bar for creativity, innovation and results.
- Work with the Program Performance and Learning Director and Regional Communications Manager to set, measure and report on aspirational communications targets and performance metrics, using learnings to improve future strategy.
- Oversee the development of a suite of communications tools and products (such as FAQs, Technical Overviews etc) which can be used by all team members whenever the need arises.
- Forge strong, institutional linkages and maintain a productive working relationship with USAID, Government of Kenya, the NAWIRI consortium, PREG Partners, and other relevant partners in the communications and advocacy fields to ensure alignment of strategic priorities and leveraging of each others resources to amplify reach and impact.
- Support with risk mitigation on reputational risk issues, in collaboration with the Regional Media Manager and the leadership team.
Media Engagement
- Work with the regional and global media teams to build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets and journalists, supporting media visits and interview, identifying promotional opportunities and drafting supporting materials such as press releases, to secure optimal coverage for USAID Nawiri initiatives and goals.
- Stay at the forefront of industry trends by actively monitoring media coverage, key announcements, emerging evidence, and high-level conversations to continuously refine communication strategies and ensure alignment with USAID Nawiri interests.
- Manage USAID Nawiri’s social media platforms, supporting communication team members to create engaging content, and monitor performance metrics.
- Identifying strategic opportunities and new champions to advance USAID Nawiri priority issues.
- Serve as the primary point person for all communications related queries related to the Mercy Corps/USAID NAWIRI brand and ensure training of other USAID Nawiri media representatives who can act as spokespeople.
Content Development
- Translate complex concepts into clear, actionable messaging for diverse audiences. This includes developing key messages, fact sheets, social media content, and creative digital materials and will involve working with technical program team members to achieve and support their vision.
- Capitalize on data sources to ensure content is evidence driven and grounded in tangible facts.
- Ensure that Mercy Corps NAWIRI’s work is accurately, regularly and compellingly represented on Mercy Corps Global internal communications platforms, including: internal agency content platforms — Workplace pages, The Hub and The Globe as well as relevant donor media platforms and lead the development of a monthly country-level Mercy Corps NAWIRI newsletter.
- Collaborate closely with technical and implementation teams at the Nairobi and County levels to convey program strategies accurately and cohesively and ensure alignment of branding, messaging, and consistency across all communication channels.
- Act as the lead brand manager, maintaining USAID compliant Branding and Marketing standards across materials, events, and other media as outlined in the program’s Branding and Marking Guidelines.
- Coordinate and support the execution of high-level events, including identifying invitees and speakers, developing agendas or presentations and other communications related tasks.
Team Management
- Build and maintain a strong, collaborative and innovative team culture, where communication colleagues are empowered, enthusiastic about trying new things and are working towards a common goal.
- Work with county communications team members to develop individual workplans, regularly provide performance feedback and build their capacity in key communications areas.
- Oversee the communication budget on a monthly basis and ensure it is being spent and monitored accurately.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
- Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
- Encourages openness and communication in their team, encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g. Integrity Hotline and other options
Adherence to Policies and Procedures
- Personal conduct should always be professional and respecting local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Accountability To Participants
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to program participants and to international standards guiding international development work, while actively engaging ecosystem as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor degree or equivalent in media and communications, journalism, social studies or relevant field. Masters preferred. 7+ years of experience in similar sector with demonstrated progression and results will be considered in place of education.
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in communications and media sector.
- Be the center of excellence when it comes to brand and communication strategies, trends and new opportunities, consistently refreshing your knowledge, which you share with the team and wider organisation
- Ability to translate a vision into action, bringing energy and enthusiasm to grow an impactful communications team and strategy, with prior people management experience.
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English required.
- Excellent computer skills, including experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. Experience with Adobe’s design suite a plus.
- Commitment to building strong and cohesive teams, demonstrated ability to grow team capacity and mentor, coach and champion junior team members.
- Team-player with positive attitude to problem solving and conflict resolution.
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected events impacting program operations.
Success factors
The Communications Manager role demands a dynamic individual with a relentless ambition to drive strategic leadership and expand team capabilities. Success in this position hinges on the ability to craft and execute comprehensive communication strategies that amplify organizational impact. Key factors include adeptness in fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment, leveraging emerging technologies and trends to enhance outreach, and possessing strong interpersonal skills to cultivate relationships both internally and externally. The Communications Manager must demonstrate a keen understanding of media landscapes, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement, all while championing the organization’s mission with integrity and clarity. Ultimately, the role demands a visionary leader capable of not only navigating complexities but also spearheading transformative growth in communication effectiveness and influence.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position can be based in either Nairobi, Samburu or Turkana
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
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.
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.
By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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.
As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).