Mercy Corps has recently been awarded a 3-year program under
USAID’s Yes Youth Can initiative, covering six regions in Kenya; Western,
Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central, Nairobi and Coast.
The core of this program is a The Tahidi Youth Fund (TYF), which will be a youth-owned, youth-led and youth - managed financial facility to support local solutions for community economic development as it grows in value.
This program aims to appropriately empower Kenyan youth (18-35yrs) to strengthen their socio-economic and political stakes through youth-led and managed initiatives and institutions.
General Position Summary:
The Communication Officer will be based in Nairobi with frequent travel to implementing sites in six regions in Kenya; Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central Province, Nairobi and Coast as as required and surrounding areas.
In collaboration with the Country Director, COP’s and Field Officers understand the mission, vision and activities of YYC National and create effective communications materials.
Similarly collect and compile information about the YYC national program for dissemination to program beneficiaries, stakeholders, the government, CSOs and donors as per the instructions of the country Director.
Essential Job Functions: Responsibilities
- Provide
consistent, reliable, and meaningful communication to various stakeholders
in audience-appropriate language and mediums
- The
Communications Officer works with the management team to develop and
implement a communications strategy within the budgeted framework.
- Provide
advice on crafting of relevant program messages and promoting them through
established media channels and through direct communications with clients
and partners.
- Ensure
proper and correct messaging of the YYC Initiative by all staff from the
bottom up.
- Communications
to various stakeholders with appropriate frequency and timing
- Produces
program compelling news releases and newsletters in liaison with COP’s and
Country Director.
- Work
with Public relations and Branding firm to create documents, presentation
materials and other communications products, creates videos of our
organization’s work.
- Maintains
and updates further development of our organization’s website and online
presence including the Youth social media.
- Create
communications materials in collaboration with the YYC National team.
Communications materials will include a print brochure, flyers, business
cards, educational materials and other printed materials as required.
- Oversee
and supervise printing and design of publicity materials of Mercy Corps
Kenya.
- To
keep attuned to the changes and updates needed on the website and other
youth communication channels like face book, twitter etc.
- To
write “Stories” of cases, individuals and projects to be used in various
communications materials.
- Participate
in planning films and videos on YYC national programs
- To
document and communicate with Public relations and branding firm,
agencies, internet partners in the creation and promotion of YYC national
activities.
- To
undertake any other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Roles: None
Reports Directly To: COP (Chief of Party)
Works Directly With: DCOP, Operations, Program and Field Officers
Education, Knowledge and Experience
Reports Directly To: COP (Chief of Party)
Works Directly With: DCOP, Operations, Program and Field Officers
Education, Knowledge and Experience
- The
Communications Officer should have an educational background in public
relations, journalism or marketing, but experience and demonstrated skill
set will also be taken into consideration.
- Must
have a Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree in Arts or Communications or other
relevant degree.
- Experience
and skills from previous employment are a plus.
- Must
have good organizational, management and communications skills. In
addition, must be able to develop communications strategies, and negotiate
and collaborate with partners and outside teams such as printer, web team,
film makers etc.
- Computer
programs and tools the successful candidate should be familiar with:
- Ability
to work effectively as part of team in a cross-cultural and politically sensitive
setting.
- Professional
communicator who can recognize a story and tell it in a compelling way to
media, in newsletters, videos and online
- Should
demonstrate a passion and a commitment to changing lives of others
(especially the Youths) for the better and inspires others in that passion
and commitment.
- Strong
writing and presentation skills.
- Computer
skills beyond e-mail and word processing. Some graphic design and
publication design skills are necessary.
- Should
be able to write interesting text to be used on the website, email
newsletter, face book and other online communications.
- Writing
must be grammatically correct and in good standard English
- Should
be a dynamic team player and a collaborator with strong networking and
negotiation skills.
- Must
be ready to comply and live up to and in accordance with Mercy Corps Kenya
ideals and values.
- Must
have demonstrable good relational skills.
Success Factors
- Excellent
communication and team-building techniques
- Ability
to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment
- Demonstrated
strong understanding of cultural and social environment in Central
Province & Rift Valley.
- Willingness
and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people
- Ability
to work as part of a team and coordinate with other project personnel
- Strong
computer and organizational skills
- Proactive,
creative, problem-solver
The position will be based in Nairobi, with 75% field travel. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TYD to a field posting.
Staff 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 candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit on or before November 30th, 2011 4.00 p.m. a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent or supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org
Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject “Application for the position of "Communication Officer”.
Applications without this subject heading will be disqualified.
Please do not attach any certificates.
Only qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted
You can now click on this link www.kenyanvacancies.com to visit our sister website for more vacancies.
