The Communications Specialist will be responsible for leading the development of a Stakeholder and Communications Strategy (SCS) and overseeing its execution for the East Africa Land Border Programme. The role serves two primary functions: providing leadership in communications-related program activities such as media campaigns, survivor stories, and policy briefs, and developing external communications on program learning and impact for donors and stakeholders. The Specialist will manage visibility, storytelling, and maintain an online presence while supporting thought leadership events in collaboration with program leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead the development and implementation of the East Africa Land Border Programme (EALBP) Stakeholder and Strategic Communications Strategy, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and donor expectations.
- Develop clear, consistent messaging and communications products tailored to different stakeholder groups, including government counterparts, consortium partners, and the donor.
- Respond to external inquiries and support unified consortium messaging on sensitive programme issues.
- Provide strategic communications advice to programme leadership on risk-aware visibility and stakeholder engagement.
Evidence, Learning and Content Development
- Support the preparation of high-quality evidence, learning, and communications products for the donor and other stakeholders, ensuring appropriate tailoring and policy alignment.
- Work closely with the MRELA and programme teams to document programme progress, learning, and impact in a clear and accessible format.
- Develop and maintain a structured approach to capturing and disseminating programme learning in line with programme priorities and confidentiality requirements.
- Contribute communications content to regular programme and donor reporting processes.
Sensitive Content, Campaigns and Events Management
- Support the design and delivery of communications activities and campaigns, including community-based awareness and prevention initiatives, in coordination with consortium partners.
- Oversee the safe and ethical documentation of programme stories and case studies, including survivor-informed communications, ensuring informed consent and safeguarding standards.
- Plan and coordinate programme learning and thought leadership events, including workshops, briefings, and closed-door policy discussions.
- Manage communications-related logistics for events, including content development, coordination with vendors, and stakeholder engagement.
Programme Coordination and Compliance Support
- Ensure communications activities are aligned with programme implementation plans, safeguarding standards, and risk management protocols.
- Support internal coordination of communications inputs across programme components and consortium partners.
- Ensure all communications activities comply with Mercy Corps policies, donor requirements, and security and safeguarding protocols.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
- Recognized qualification in Communications or a relevant field. Masters will be an added advantage.
- Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience working in communications or public relations, in not-for-profit organizations.
- Demonstrated experience in communication and storytelling for sensitive or political programmes.
- Excellent track record in copy writing 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.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the Mercy Corps recruitment portal by visiting: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1221792
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