Communications Officer job at Mercy Corps

Vacancy Title: Communications Officer

Type: FULL TIME
Industry: Nonprofit and NGO
Category: Media, Communications & Writing

Jobs at: Mercy Corps

Deadline: Friday, August 02, 2024

Duty Station: Within Uganda, Yumbe, East Africa

Summary:
Date Posted: Friday, July 19, 2024
Base Salary: Not Disclosed

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Job Details:

Position Summary:
This is a new position for the DREAMS program aimed at boosting its profile both within the agency and among external stakeholders. The Communications Officer will support DREAMS management in rolling out a communications and influence plan, developing communication products that creatively tell the DREAMS story to a wide and diverse audience. The officer will guide team members and partners on effective storytelling, photography, and documenting learning.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Actively learn about safeguarding and integrate it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practice the values of Mercy Corps, including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourage openness and communication in their team and encourage team members to report concerns using mechanisms like the Integrity Hotline.

Technical Responsibilities:

Strategy and Planning:

• Support DREAMS management to develop a communications and influence strategy that aligns with the country’s overall strategy.
• Collect content for communication products targeting a wide and diverse audience, including staff, partners, government, and donors.
• Develop quality programmatic communications materials, including posters, manuals, and IEC materials.
• Post content on internal communications channels to foster a positive team culture, including Mercy Corps’ collaborative platform, Workplace, internal newsletter, and bulletins.
• Draft content in line with the communications strategy, including press releases, website content, newsletters, and other materials such as annual reports, social media, speeches, and editorials.
• Work with regional and global media teams to identify promotional opportunities and draft supporting materials, such as press releases, for optimal coverage.

Project Products’ Dissemination:

• Create dissemination lists for project products, to be validated by the Grants Management Coordinator.
• Coordinate dissemination of communication products to ensure consistent and wide-reaching dissemination.

Team Engagement:

• Work with DREAMS and other MCU leadership teams to develop internal communications messages and materials to enhance program visibility.
• Sensitize staff and partner team members on the DREAMS story and communications strategy to ensure consistent and impactful messaging.
• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps media and communication protocols, including branding and media engagements.
• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor communication protocols.

Event Management:

• Support the MEL team to deliver a series of learning events that effectively communicate the DREAMS story to diverse stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the media before, during, and after events to ensure comprehensive coverage and engagement.
• Assist in organizing events to support program activities, including drafting invitations, documenting events, and generating materials such as banners, promotional materials, and press releases.

Other:

• Support Mercy Corps Uganda communications team with country-level communication planning and activities as required.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Accountability:
Reports Directly to Advocacy and Influence Manager
Works Directly with DREAMS Team Leader, program officers, DREAMS partner staff, senior management, MC Uganda senior leadership, and Regional Communications team.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our participants 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. All Mercy Corps staff are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate the highest level of integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance for any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment, or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills:

• At least 3 years of experience in Communications and/or Media Engagement for INGOs.
• A bachelor’s degree in Communications, Media, Marketing, Public Relations, or equivalent.
• Advanced computer skills and administrative experience (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, design applications).
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English.
• Strong ability to efficiently prioritize competing demands with attention to detail.
• Creativity and influencing skills.
• Video production and events management skills are desirable.
• Ability to speak local languages of the areas of operation is desirable.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job Application Procedure:
Interested and qualified candidates, click here to apply.