Position Description
Position Title: Communications Specialist – Somali Youth Leaders Initiative
Primary Location:Hargeisa, Somaliland (40%) with frequent travel to program field
Program / Department Summary:
Position Title: Communications Specialist – Somali Youth Leaders Initiative
Primary Location:Hargeisa, Somaliland (40%) with frequent travel to program field
Program / Department Summary:
The non-formal and youth engagement component aims to increase
job placements, salaries/wages and self-employment opportunities for Somali
youth through the provision of market-driven skills training, business training
and linkages to credit, business development support and job placement
services.
The Specialist’s role is, primarily, to support the SYLI program
and the country programs.
It entails giving direction, setting appropriate standards,
facilitation and training. It is not one of management or hands-on work in the
field unless in a training context or when deployed to assist in establishing a
response.
General Position Summary
General Position Summary
The Communications Specialist will lead the implementation of
Somali Youth Leaders Initiative’s external communications strategy in Somalia,
encompassing the development, positioning, presentation and content of
youth-focused and issues oriented stories, photos, messaging and multimedia for
key public, donor, media, UN and NGO engagement platforms (primarily Mercy
Corps websites and external social media).
This position will also build the capacity of field offices
across Somalia to produce quality and timely communications resources (stories,
photos, video and other), both proactively and on demand – resulting in the
strong and sustained branding of their key activities, as well as the external
communications of Mercy Corps Somalia’s key programming issues and concerns.
Most major responsibilities of this position will be Somali Youth Leaders Initiative-focused, while being planned and carried out in co-ordination with other Mercy Corps programs and senior management.
The Communications Specialist also produces regular reporting to USAID and responds to information requests, and thereby works closely with the M&E team to ensure that program information is managed in a controlled and efficient manner.
Most major responsibilities of this position will be Somali Youth Leaders Initiative-focused, while being planned and carried out in co-ordination with other Mercy Corps programs and senior management.
The Communications Specialist also produces regular reporting to USAID and responds to information requests, and thereby works closely with the M&E team to ensure that program information is managed in a controlled and efficient manner.
As such, this collaboration results in a positive program public
image, and the design of a communication plan to build public, private and
political support for implementing various reforms under this program.
Essential Job Functions
Essential Job Functions
Develop and execute a Somalia field-focused and field-driven
partnership resourcing strategy which encompasses the planning, co-ordination,
editing and dissemination of digital content (human interest/impact stories,
photos, video, etc. of varying type and quality), with emphasis on engaging
communities in external/public messaging via Mercy Corps and key social media.
Oversee and advise field communications teams on the content and
quality of their stories, photos, video, web-based multi-media and other
resources they produce.
Facilitate Mercy Corps TSU, HQ and donor requests for
youth-focused and issues-oriented communications resources from Somalia, while
fostering a culture of proactive story pitching and provision amongst these
communications teams.
Plan, request, receive and edit daily/weekly Mercy Corps Somalia
website story and news updates from field teams – ensuring that they are
factual and of high quality overall, and also repurposing them for various
Mercy Corps and external outlets as needed and appropriate.
Lead content selection, editing, updates and improvements for/to
the Mercy Corps Somalia website, in accordance with the Mercy Corps website
strategy, and in collaboration with other Mercy Corps regional and national
communications staff.
Plan and develop website content focused on youth livelihoods,
education, expression and participation.
Where appropriate, link these materials to the advocacy work of
Somali Youth Leaders Initiative, and Mercy Corps and donor offices.
Oversee the production of youth-focused and issues-oriented
multimedia reports, electronic alerts, updates and advisories from the field
for the resourcing of Mercy Corps and donor websites, UN and media websites,
public advocacy campaigns, emergency responses and special events.
Identify and edit special reports pegged to particular calendar
events that raise the profile of youth, Somali Youth Leaders Initiative, and
Mercy Corps Somalia programs.
Complete field resource gathering trips (50% of time/yr.) for
the completion of special assignments and reports, in combination with national
office communications capacity-building for the production of quality story,
photo and multimedia website resources.
Advise and collaborate closely with the program managers in
building the capacity and performance of field teams in relevant areas of
resource provision (stories, multimedia and visual resources).
Advise and collaborate closely with the program managers and
senior management in building the capacity and performance of field teams in
relevant areas of communications.
In liaison with CoP, engage with relevant Mercy Corps TSU
counterparts on planning and programs of mutual and strategic importance and
benefit.
Organizational Learning
Organizational Learning
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 Beneficiaries
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: Some National Staff
Accountability:
Supervisory Responsibility: Some National Staff
Accountability:
Reports Directly To: Chief of Party,
Somali Youth Leaders Initiative
Works Directly With: Other program technical leads (Education, Infrastructure, M&E), as well as operation staff in the country and field offices.
Works Directly With: Other program technical leads (Education, Infrastructure, M&E), as well as operation staff in the country and field offices.
Knowledge and Experience
- Master’s
degree in journalism, communications or international studies preferred.
- Minimum
5 years’ extensive experience in coordinating and producing written
content for donor engagement, public advocacy, media and community
relations purposes.
- Excellent
writing and editing skills in English (USA style to be followed).
- Excellent
interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills
- Strong
organizational and time-management skills as well as self-initiative and
discipline.
- Strong
sensitivity to cultural, religious and gender issues.
- Advanced
understanding of the internet and latest communication
trends/technologies.
- Ability
to work independently and as a virtual team member.
- A
full commitment to Mercy Corps core values and humanitarian mandate.
- News
media experience preferred.
- Extensive
travel experience preferred.
Success Factors:
The successful Communications Specialist will possess in-depth
expertise communications, journalism and web-based information
management.
S/he will have demonstrated experience with professional
photography, photo imaging and graphic design, and their applications to web
presentation and content and the production of multimedia work including, human
interest/impact stories, audio and video editing.
S/he will have good understanding of geopolitical, economic and
social issues in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region (or the ability to
acquire this understanding).
S/he will have demonstrated skills working in challenging
environments.
The most successful Mercy Corps staff 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.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The Communications Specialist will be based in Hargeisa and
support activities throughout the country. This is an unaccompanied post in a
highly insecure environment. This location is eligible for hardship and
R&R.
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.
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.
Interested applicants, please apply directly on-line atwww.mercycorps.org/jobs.
