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
  

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, policy alignment and presentation.
  
• Work closely with the MRELA and programme teams to document programme progress, learning and impact in a clear and accessible format.
  
• Working with the MRELA team, 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 developed in collaboration with specialist partners (e.g., HAART), 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

• Work closely with programme teams and partners to 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.
  
• Perform other related duties as required to support programme delivery.
  
• Safeguarding responsibilities
  
• Actively learns 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.