Mercy Corps Communications Officer Job in Eldoret Kenya

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.  

Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world’s toughest places with the tools and support they need to turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve.  

Mercy Corps is looking for committed and dynamic individuals to take up the following position:

Communications Officer

Location: Eldoret

Program / Department Summary:
 

Mercy Corps is implementing an over 3 year’s program under USAID’s Yes Youth Can initiative, covering two regions in Kenya; Central and Rift Valley Provinces. 

The core of this program will be a youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed empowerment program to support local solutions for community Social and economic development through village bunges. 

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 two years will provide sustainable financial, Social, political, and skills development assistance to approximately 1.4 million youth through a variety of youth-identified social and economic community development projects.

General Position Summary:
 

The Communication Officer will be based in Eldoret with frequent travel to implementing sites in Rift Valley (7 counties) as required. 

In collaboration with the COP, Program Manager, and Field Officers to understand the mission, vision and activities of YYC Regional and create effective communications materials. 

Similarly collect and compile information about the YYC Regional program for dissemination to program beneficiaries, stakeholders, the government, CSOs and donors as per the instructions of the Chief of party. 

Essential Job Functions: Responsibilities

• Provide consistent, reliable, and meaningful communication to various stakeholders in audience-appropriate language and medium
• 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 and Country Director.
• Maintains and updates further development of our Yes Youth Can website and online presence including the Youth social media.
• Oversee and supervise printing and design of publicity materials for YYC- Rift Valley.
• 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 Regional programs as well as formatting & editing Quarterly and Annual reports.
• Train a cohort of Youth from Bunges and Boards to be able to document and write their stories and share them.
• Compile the weekly report from the program Managers and submit to the COP.
• To undertake any other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Roles: None
 

Reports Directly To: Senior Program Manager 
 

Works Directly With: Program Managers, Program Officers, Specialists, 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 and problem-solver.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit on or before December 13, 2013 at 4.00 p.m a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references( including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org .

Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject: The position and location they are applying for, e.g “Communications Officer-Eldoret” 

Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified. 

Please do not attach any certificates. 

(ONLY Qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted)