Mercy Corps

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
Duty Station Bogotá D.C. Colombia
Position Category Full-time
Contract Type: Indefinite
Part-time
AND
Regular
Temporary
Convocatory Close: 24 April 2015
COUNTRY PROGRAM SUMMARY
Mercy Corps exist to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure,
productive and just communities. Since 1979, we have helped people grappling with the toughest
hardships survive — and then thrive. That’s the heart of our approach: We help communities turn
crisis into opportunity.
Mercy Corps Colombia works through local partners with support from government donors, the
private sector and national alliances. Since 2005 we’ve worked on solutions for humanitarian
assistance and structural development affecting conflict-affected communities. Mercy Corps
Colombia has a diverse team of national and international staff working with partners throughout
Colombia to replicate successful models that apply to conflict and post conflict environments and
areas of high risk of natural disasters.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
In order to develop new alliances, gain influence and demonstrate our impact, Mercy Corps
Colombia requires a Communications Specialist who can work with senior management to promote
Mercy Corps Colombia and position the organization for resources and relationships that foster our
mission. The Communications Specialist will play a significant role in the promotion and
communication management of a current multi-year program on children’s protection and education
rights funded by DFATD (Government of Canada) but also work with the full team to produce
communication material, talking points, media opportunities and recognition to use externally.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Communications Strategy
 Conduct a participatory process to develop the Mercy Corps Colombia communication
strategy in concert with Mercy Corps Annual Plan.
 Analyze different media outlets and targeting as part of Mercy Corps’ strategy.
 Design, implement and maintain the Mercy Corps Colombia communication strategy,
guided by global policy of Mercy Corps, donors and project requirements. A specific
communications strategy is required for the DFATD program.
Communications Products
 Collect information conduct interviews and organize press conferences.
 Write, edit and lead process to produce information for different donors, media channels,
conventional and alternative such as print, radio, TV, web, and social media.
 Provide technical support to all Mercy Corps Colombia areas, to guarantee the brand
positioning and the visibility in all deliveries under global Mercy Corps and donors
requirements.
 Prepare fact sheets, brochures, and all projects commutation material, photos, video, web
information.
 Develop high-quality video for each project and for general Mercy Corps programming in
Colombia
 Develop maps for projects and country program use. Possibility for interactive maps.
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
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Maintain the Mercy Corps Colombia website with updated and relative content.
Write and produce a Mercy Corps Colombia annual report for a public audience.
Involvement in research material managed by Mercy Corps or consultants.
Support the Mercy Corps M&E Manager in other M&E and reporting duties including, but
not limited to, responding to information requests, drafting success stories, monitoring and
reporting on Mercy Corps program impact.
Any other reporting and communications requirements assigned by supervisor.
Public Information
 Develop all necessary print and online content to promote program progress, lessons and
achievements.
 Coordinate any initial media related requests, and establish a system for gathering media
reports on the program.
 Prepare project briefing materials (e.g. talking points, presentations, factsheets, etc.) for key
stakeholders, government, donor offices and representatives, other external collaborators.
 Coordinate information sharing and program linkages with other all Mercy Corps Colombia
programs as required, including facilitating complementary M&E or reporting activities.
DFATD Specific Functions
 Coordinate with stakeholders to edit and publish internal and external communication with
gender and children from Choco and Putumayo focus, based on local, departmental and
national DFATD requirements.
 Publish DFATD impact results.
 Support periodic donor reporting.
 Develop communications material targeted for fundraising.
 Develop promotional material for children’s rights.
 Design, implement, updated and maintain DFATD project website.
 Work on periodic lessons learned documents.
 Design all visibility according Mercy Corps communication strategy and donor
requirements.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Colombia Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: The Senior Management Team, all staff, partners, donors, other
stakeholders and Mercy Corps HQ—regional desk, Communications Department and Resource
Development.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
 BA/BS in relevant field (government, political science, international relations, information
management, graphic design etc.).
 Ability to work fluently in both written and spoken English and Spanish.
 5 years of experience with report writing and communications (preferably for
US/EC/Canada donors). 2-3 years working with an INGO or donor
 Ability to deliver high quality communication pieces with short deadlines.
 Skill in the drafting and preparation reports and documents.
 Ability to write impactful success stories.
 Knowledge of digital camera use, video use, video editing and web design.
 Social media and web content development experience a strong advantage.
 Skill in the use of online tools, internet, web page design, updating websites.
 Knowledge about branding and marking—experience in brand positioning.
 Ability to manage media relations with the press and media.
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
Excellent computer skills including word processing and data analysis; advanced computer.
Skills including HTML, Javascript, GIS/mapping, graphic design and data visualization skills
preferred.
Well organized with ability to multi-task and juggle several tasks and relationships at one
time.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience in representing an
organization.
Good problem solving skills and effective negotiation skills.
Prior experience with civil society programming preferred.
Experience in post-conflict/emergency-type programs is an advantage.
SUCCESS FACTORS
A successful candidate will have an ability to work independently, multi-task, take initiative in tasks
and self-learning, be proactive in communications and development of professional relationships.
You must have the ability to work comfortably and effectively in vulnerable communities and
represent Mercy Corps with all stakeholders. Excellent team and interpersonal relationship skills are
essential for success.
SAMPLES OF COMMUNICATION MATERIALS WILL BE REQUESTED WITH APPLICATIONS
AND CVs. ALL SAMPLES MUST BE IN ENGLISH. These include but are not limited to:
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A success story written for a donor story of no less than 1 page, no more than 5 pages.
An example of a brief, non-confidential donor report written in English.
A video clip (can be an interview in Spanish, but with English translation) created by the
applicant.
Links to websites developed by the applicant (preferably in English) but Spanish accepted.
Examples of up to 5 photos used for publication that the applicant has taken personally.
If available, an example of a Communication Strategy in English that the applicant
developed.
THREE REFERENCES REQUIRED
How to Apply
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CV in PDF.
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People who do not meet all specific requirements, please refrain send your application.
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Only CVs received on April 17 and 24, 2015 shall be taken into account.
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All applications must:
o Be sent only to e-mail [email protected]
o Indicate in the subject line : COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
o Include the samples
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Mercy Corps provides the principle of gender equality, opportunities for women and men in all
positions of the organization.
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0
To the extent possible under law, Mercy Corps has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this document.
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