Communications Manager at Mercy Corps-how to apply!

Position Summary

A proactive, imaginative, and visionary person with a good sense of news and the capacity to grasp the wider picture should be the communication manager. The primary responsibility of this position is developing and implementing a comprehensive and successful communications plan that will raise USAID Nawiri’s public standing and impact.

They will be responsible for leading communications and media efforts, including overseeing management and upgrade of communications channels including the website and social media accounts; setting, measuring and reporting on reach targets; writing and publication of key documents such as annual reports, learning briefs and impact materials; managing communications aspects relating to key high profile events and workshops; expanding media contacts and increasing USAID Nawiri’s media presence; and ensuring the highest quality of work from external designers, photographers, and other media production specialists.

In order to empower the team to accomplish shared communications goals, the communications manager needs to be a skilled communicator and team leader. In addition to supporting the USAID Nawiri Team in articulating programmatic effect in our communities to achieve advocacy, learning objectives, and profile-raising, they will offer technical supervision to the members of the County Communications team. The Program’s reputation as a source of information and a significant voice on important matters concerning chronic acute malnutrition in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) will be aggressively enhanced by the Communications Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Vision

• Develop and implement an ambitious communications strategy which aligns with USAID Nawiri’s Evidence, Learning and Impact Agenda, Mercy Corps Kenya’s Pathway to Possibility Strategy and Mercy Corps’ Africa Regional Communications Strategy.
• Oversee the preparation and implementation of detailed communications workplans at national and county level, setting the bar for creativity, innovation and results.
• Work with the Program Performance and Learning Director and Regional Communications Manager to set, measure and report on aspirational communications targets and performance metrics, using learnings to improve future strategy.
• Oversee the development of a suite of communications tools and products (such as FAQs, Technical Overviews etc) which can be used by all team members whenever the need arises.
• Forge strong, institutional linkages and maintain a productive working relationship with USAID, Government of Kenya, the NAWIRI consortium, PREG Partners, and other relevant partners in the communications and advocacy fields to ensure alignment of strategic priorities and leveraging of each other’s resources to amplify reach and impact.
• Support with risk mitigation on reputational risk issues, in collaboration with the Regional Media Manager and the leadership team.

Media Engagement

• Work with the regional and global media teams to build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets and journalists, supporting media visits and interview, identifying promotional opportunities and drafting supporting materials such as press releases, to secure optimal coverage for USAID Nawiri initiatives and goals.
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends by actively monitoring media coverage, key announcements, emerging evidence, and high-level conversations to continuously refine communication strategies and ensure alignment with USAID Nawiri interests.
• Manage USAID Nawiri’s social media platforms, supporting communication team members to create engaging content, and monitor performance metrics.
• Identifying strategic opportunities and new champions to advance USAID Nawiri priority issues.
• Serve as the primary point person for all communications related queries related to the Mercy Corps/USAID NAWIRI brand and ensure training of other USAID Nawiri media representatives who can act as spokespeople.

Content Development

• Translate complex concepts into clear, actionable messaging for diverse audiences. This includes developing key messages, fact sheets, social media content, and creative digital materials and will involve working with technical program team members to achieve and support their vision.
• Capitalize on data sources to ensure content is evidence driven and grounded in tangible facts.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps NAWIRI’s work is accurately, regularly and compellingly represented on Mercy Corps Global internal communications platforms, including internal agency content platforms — Workplace pages, The Hub and The Globe as well as relevant donor media platforms and lead the development of a monthly country-level Mercy Corps NAWIRI newsletter.
• Collaborate closely with technical and implementation teams at the Nairobi and County levels to convey program strategies accurately and cohesively and ensure alignment of branding, messaging, and consistency across all communication channels.
• Act as the lead brand manager, maintaining USAID compliant Branding and Marketing standards across materials, events, and other media as outlined in the program’s Branding and Marking Guidelines.
• Coordinate and support the execution of high-level events, including identifying invitees and speakers, developing agendas or presentations and other communications related tasks.

Team Management

• Build and maintain a strong, collaborative and innovative team culture, where communication colleagues are empowered, enthusiastic about trying new things and are working towards a common goal.
• Work with county communications team members to develop individual workplans, regularly provide performance feedback and build their capacity in key communications areas.
• Oversee the communication budget on a monthly basis and ensure it is being spent and monitored accurately.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• 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

Adherence to Policies and Procedures

• Personal conduct should always be professional and respecting local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Accountability To Participants

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to program participants and to international standards guiding international development work, while actively engaging ecosystem as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in media and communications, journalism, social studies or relevant field. Masters preferred. 7+ years of experience in similar sector with demonstrated progression and results will be considered in place of education.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in communications and media sector.
• Be the center of excellence when it comes to brand and communication strategies, trends and new opportunities, consistently refreshing your knowledge, which you share with the team and wider organization
• Ability to translate a vision into action, bringing energy and enthusiasm to grow an impactful communications team and strategy, with prior people management experience.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English required.
• Excellent computer skills, including experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. Experience with Adobe’s design suite a plus.
• Commitment to building strong and cohesive teams, demonstrated ability to grow team capacity and mentor, coach and champion junior team members.
• Team-player with positive attitude to problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected events impacting program operations.