COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Mercy Corps Uganda – Kitgum, Northern Region. Job Description The Communications Officer is a key position in Mercy Corps Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Communications team. This team exists to support program design, implementation and utilization of information collected at different stages. The Communications Officer will be based in Kitgum Town with frequent travel to Kaabong and Kotido, Karamoja and occasional travel to Kampala. PROGRAM SUMMARY: Mercy Corps drives high quality, analytical work in tough places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently manage a breadth of programs in Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions with funding from a basket of donors. We partner with a range of private, public and civil society actors to systemically broaden opportunity for people across northern Uganda. Much of our work focuses on crowding-in private sector actors to deliver highly demanded but poorly supplied products and services that enhance the growth and competitiveness of the agricultural sector and improve the overall quality of life for the poor. Our work is market-oriented and consistently innovative and dynamic. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: Mercy Corps – Uganda’s primary approach of our results-driven programs focuses on market facilitation. Our efforts aim at crowding in potential market actors in agricultural production and marketing, health and nutrition service delivery as well water and sanitation services. We rely on our program officers to report direct effects of our programs and help identify the indirect benefits our programs have on the community. We achieve this by embedding M&E into our program staff’s regular activities and reporting. The data they collect is then synthesized to develop best practices for Mercy Corps Uganda. They also identify learning opportunities that will help guide our program development. The role of the Communications Officer will be to tell the story, results, and impacts of our programs to our beneficiaries, clients, donors, the global Mercy Corps agency, the local and national government and Uganda’s boarder development community. This will be done by utilizing program data to develop a variety of communications documents including one-pagers, newsletters, brochures, social media, photos and video. This person will be responsible for collecting stories from the field to be put on our website and deliver to the target audiences. We also anticipate this role to assist the M&E team by conducting literature reviews and qualitative research. The Communications officer will assist with coordinating and setting up public events including ground-breakings, diplomatic visits, informational lunches, and internal learning opportunities. Under the guidance of the MELC Manager, the Communications officer may also contribute to the development of Mercy Corps – Uganda’s brand. This will include graphic design for all communication materials. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Follow all Mercy Corps policies, procedures, grant compliance and documentation requirements 2. Implement and make sure all respective donors M&E rules and regulations are respected 3. Stay up-to-date on all program activities 4. Regularly produce written communications documents 5. Participate in on-going M&E training and support for all Mercy Corps programs 6. Prepare a weekly report of all completed and planned activities 7. Plan and coordinate events for the public and Mercy Corps staff 8. Visit sites to collect stories and conduct qualitative research both independently and in teams 9. Maintain professional relationships with local and provincial government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, local religious leaders and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ programs 10. Maintain close working relationships with donors, other humanitarian and development organizations, and local partners, including representing Mercy Corps at local meetings as required 11. Be adaptable and flexible to take new tasks and new assignments as requested from time to time 12. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission 13. Assist other finance functions and offices when ever need arises 14. Any other tasks to be assigned by the supervisor REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Communications Manager WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Managers, Gender Advisor, Program Officers and Team Leaders, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, and other Mercy Corps program and operations staff REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: · A bachelors degree or equivalent in Journalism, English, International Development or another relevant degree · At least three years of relevant experience · Professional-level fluency of English · Excellent writing skills · Familiarity with qualitative research and literature reviews · Comfortable working on a geographically dispersed team, including working independently as times · A can-do team player attitude · Great interpersonal skills · Comfortable working with all levels of an organization including senior management PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: · A masters degree or equivalent in Journalism, English, Social Science, International Development or another relevant degree. · Qualitative research or other publications · Qualitative field research including leading focus groups, interviews, and collecting success stories · Graphic design · Photography · Experience coding qualitative data · Familiarity with Nvivo, and/or Dedoose How to Apply Submit your application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), a 1-3 page writing sample, and copies of academic qualifications/certificates. Applications should be addressed to the HR/Admin Manager, Kampala Head Office and submitted to [email protected] with the subject line; Communications Officer position, Deadline for Submission: Close of business 1st August 2013. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Women candidates encouraged to apply Selected applicants will be given a homework assignment to present and discuss with a small team of MC staff at either the Kampala Head office or one of the field offices (Kitgum, Kaabong, or Kotido).
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 21:50:06 +0000
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