Communication Officer-(Mercy Corps)- Job in Nairobi Kenya

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.

The TYF will in the first three years provide sustainable financial and skills development assistance to approximately 200,000 youth through a variety of youth-identified social and economic community development projects.

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

• 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

Living /Environmental Conditions:

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