Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian aid agency engaged in transitional environments that have experienced some sort of shock: natural disaster, economic collapse, or conflict.
Role Overview
The Senior Communications and Learning Officer will be responsible for leading the development of a communications strategy and execution of the Communications and Learning function for the RANGE programme. The Senior Communications and Learning Officer will be responsible for the development of messaging, talking points, editorial pieces, and internal/external storytelling, management of video production and online presence maintenance, and promoting and increasing the visibility of the RANGE programme among different stakeholders. The Senior Communications and Learning Officer will also be responsible for the conceptualization and preparation of the program's thought leadership events.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Communications and Learning
- Develop and implement RANGE programme strategic communication plans (both internal and external) to increase the visibility of the programmes in strategic spaces within the ASAL's and in Kenya in coordination with regional and global efforts.
- Develop and implement a guiding framework to collate and aggregate RANGE programme learnings under a standardized framework, including identifying learning opportunities and appropriate channels for disseminating them.
- Support country-wide communication needs as requested by country leadership.
- Develop impact and human-interest stories and case studies for RANGE Programme and on behalf of Mercy Corps Kenya.
Content Planning, Production and Coordination
- Work in collaboration with the RANGE programme team, coordinate and lead content strategies, creative concepts, and content gathering plans.
- Maintain a content generation and management calendar and facilitate collaboration across the two programmes.
- Serve as the first point of contact and coordinator for RANGE Programme content needs.
- Work with other team members and partners to document and curate a library of stories, byline articles, press releases, etc. based on the program's activities and donor requirements to be published in the media, reports, and other communications forums.
- Prepare content for and regularly manage and or share relevant stories and or information on relevant social media platforms (including website page, LinkedIn, blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) as well as ensure that the Programme has an active online presence.
- Work closely with the regional and global communications team to coordinate content production and distribution across global digital channels, including websites, social media, and campaign platforms to strengthen visibility for the program.
Events Management
- Conceptualize thought leadership events in collaboration with programmes teams and in line with the program's communications activities including workshops, report launches, learning events, fireside chats, webinars, etc.
- Lead the preparation of thought leadership events by coordinating content curation, invitations, management of external vendors, onsite execution, budgeting, and expense tracking.
Program Support and Capacity Strengthening
- Support the Monitoring and Evaluation team in the documentation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning findings and generate new and innovative communication and dissemination ideas to increase the visibility of RANGE Programme, learnings, reports, and technical briefs.
- Support the program team to execute partner communication efforts to create visibility of partner activities.
- Work with other team members to contribute content towards regular reporting to the donor.
- Support RANGE Programme partners in developing and implementing communication plans where needed aligned with the global Mercy Corps brand.
- Provide capacity building, training, and induction on brand and content standards to strengthen brand culture and storytelling capabilities for the partners.
Learning and Knowledge Management
- Lead RANGE programme learning processes by documenting, synthesizing, and disseminating lessons learned, best practices, and evidence from programme implementation to inform adaptive management and decision-making.
- Coordinate RANGE learning events and knowledge-sharing platforms, including reflection meetings, after-action reviews, learning briefs, webinars, exchange visits, and annual learning workshops with consortium partners, Local Implementation Partners, Private Partners, and stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the RANGE MERL team to translate monitoring, evaluation, research, and resilience measurement findings into practical learning products and recommendations that strengthen programme quality and influence policy and practice.
- Develop and maintain RANGE programme knowledge management system that captures, organizes, and shares technical resources, case studies, success stories, innovations, and learning products across the consortium and with external audiences.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.
- 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.
Safeguarding
- Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
- Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
- Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Organizational Relationships
- Reports Directly To: MEL Manager
- Works Directly With: Programme Director, Technical Advisors, MEAL Manager, County Coordinators, NRM Advisor, Livestock Advisors, MC Kenya operations, finance, and P&C team, Consortium and local implementing partner organizations, Country Director
- Supervisory Responsibility: None
Knowledge and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in media and communications, journalism, social studies or relevant field. Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience working in communications or public relations.
- Demonstrated experience in communication and storytelling.
- Excellent track record in copywriting and editing skills, and a portfolio of quality written products for a variety of formats (e.g. blogs, articles, op-eds, press releases).
- Proven experience in developing and executing communications plans.
- Experience in web design & content production (e.g. video and still photography) is a plus.
- Strong interest in writing success stories, learning briefs, technical editorials and coordinating learning events.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to deeply connect with a range of individuals who have a broad range of backgrounds and expertise.
