Communications and Digital Outreach Manager - Stabilization in Urban Neighborhoods)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan continuously since 1986. Presently, Mercy Corps is working in ten provinces in Afghanistan with a portfolio of programs aimed at promoting improved prosperity for Afghan citizens through agri-business, natural resources management, youth vocational skills and deployment of renewable energy. These four strategic pillars support livelihoods, increasing food security, access to financial services and strengthening private sector, civil society and government institutions. Donors include BPRM and OFDA from the US Government, UNODC, GIZ KfW, the European Delegation, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the British Council.

The SUN (Stabilization in Urban Neighborhoods) program is a 24 month initiative with the goal to stabilize urban neighborhoods in Kabul by improving the socio-economic living conditions of young people and promoting social cohesion. The program's specific objective is to increase social cohesion in Kabul through the participation of young people in decision-making and through supporting community-driven socio-economic development. The program is in alignment with the donor KfW's commitment to increasing governance and stability in Afghanistan through increasing people's confidence in state structures, and the German Government's priority area of stabilization (including through strengthening the capacity of state structures and civil society) as well its focus on facilitating peaceful social development and opening up future prospects for young people in particular.

General Position Summary

The Communications and Outreach Manager will implement the communications and digital outreach component of the SUN program. S/he will also establish and maintain relations with relevant
stakeholders affected by the program and will compile relevant information on needs, challenges, and on-the-ground dynamics, analyze and share this information to support outreach efforts and will at the same time, track and analyze key initiatives, working with partner agencies. The Manager will manage SUN's digital platform provider and all service contracts/awards with communication providers for the program. The Manager, as a key member of the program management team, will help ensure that Mercy Corps positions are well grounded in the priorities of the communities where we work, reinforcing a cohesive and productive organizational culture through effective information sharing, and supporting Mercy Corps development as an entrepreneurial, innovative, effective and accountable learning organization.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Implement the communications and digital outreach component of Mercy Corps SUN program.
• Ensure that the communication implementation draws on Mercy Corps field experience and program expertise.
• Establish and maintain strategic relations with relevant local and international stakeholders, to continually inform, challenge, and improve Mercy Corps communications and program.
• Manage all communications, digital service providers and media to ensure all communications are appropriate and relevant to our beneficiaries, communities and all other stakeholders.
• Provide representation at the discretion of the Program Director with relevant local and international governmental and non-governmental actors and support the Program Director in her/his representational role.
• Build and maintain a close link with Mercy Corps country team and regularly gather evidence/experiences from program staff so that analysis is grounded in and supports Mercy Corps program work.
• Work with the field team to plan and produce effective, thoughtful and timely written and digital products that advance perspectives important to the SUN program.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of communication and digital outreach.
• Support the development of donor, government and other external reports.
• Related tasks as required by the Program Director.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our partners and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

Communications and reporting coordinator and administrative assistant

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Program Director

Works Directly With: Program Director and other program managers in-country, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in communications, marketing, or a related field preferred
• 3-5 years experience working in communications including digital outreach, particularly with illiterate and semi-literate populations
• Experience with social media marketing campaigns is required
• Development and/or human centered design experience is preferred
• 2+ years of experience in relief and development field with non-profit, or government
• English proficiency required
• Excellent writing and research skills required including proofreading and editing proficiency; ability to translate technical language into compelling content for different reader/user audiences Strong computer literacy required including MS Office Suite
• Proven experience maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professional conduct
• Highly effective and professional communication skills
• Proven ability to prioritize multiple competing and changing priorities, requests, tasks, deadlines
• Proven ability to manage demands and stresses with grace and humor

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have effective verbal and written communication, digital outreach, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills with an ability to effectively represent the organization and its interests to a diverse range of stakeholders, including local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, donors, other international organizations, the media, and the community. S/he will have had experience with communication tools for populations that have no to low levels of literacy. S/he will have great analytical skills, demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow and enforce procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members, have strong people skills. An interest in and ability to travel and work in remote and dynamic environments, with experience in insecure environments is an advantage as is an awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and an ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles. S/he will have the ability to creatively problem-solve, to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations, with patience, dynamism, tenacity and a sense of humor.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position will be based in Kabul, with limited travel in the country. The security situation is volatile and may spike into acute periods of insecurity. S/he is expected to follow all security protocols including limited movement when necessary. A certain international standard of medical care is available in Kabul, however for serious cases, evacuation is required, and therefore staff must be able to be 24 hours away from medical care. All offices have internet connectivity and communication is reliable. Accommodation is shared housing, equipped with generators and heating, with cooks and cleaners provided by MC.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/STA to a field posting. 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. It will be important for the successful candidate to show an ability to work in an austere environment where personal liberties may be restricted from time to time, based on ambiguous information. A cordial demeanor is required so as to not impose on the peace of mind of colleagues.

PI114294884

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