Communication and Reporting Officer

Location: West Bank/ East Jerusalem, Palestine

Position Status: Full-time, Regular Employment

Salary Level: 4A

Duration: One year with possibility of extension

Department: Positive Youth Engagement (PYE)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program

Positive Youth Engagement (PYE) is a seven-year multi-sectoral Youth Activity designed to address the core issues of Palestinian youth development. The PYE activity will reach vulnerable and marginalized youth aged 10-24 at risk of social marginalization in deprived areas and private universities where they live by improving education, health, employment, community involvement (reintegration), and other needs as identified through drivers' assessments. The activity’s goal is to transform vulnerable youth into productive, contributing citizens who are connected to their communities by increasing opportunities for Palestinian youth to realize their potential and to effectively contribute to social and economic development. The following are the main themes of the PYE:

• Core programming that supports, protects, prepares, and engages youth in safe spaces found within a strong network of more than 80 CBOs throughout the West Bank.
• Tailored packages of activities, resources, and referrals that will set youth on individually selected pathways building on the core curriculum to increase opportunities for youth to effectively contribute to social and economic development.
• Opportunities for sustained community engagement and leadership through youth-led pathways and councils, community and social media campaigns, and mentorship of subsequent cohorts as part of sustainable community youth networks.
• Improve opportunities for learning and individual empowerment for youth in grades 7-12 through the network of safe spaces.
• Expand safe spaces through 11 local university career centers to reach youth ages 19-24 and offer the PYE core interventions including the Profound Stress and Attunement (PSA) approach and healthy well-being for youth, parents, and adult caretakers; learning activities (including the Passport To Success (PTS) and I: SERVE), youth pathways; and youth-led small-scale initiatives in addition to technology and innovation-driven learning programs with a focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics), green solutions, and entrepreneurship.

General Position Summary:

The Communications and Reporting Officer will work closely with the Communications and Reporting Specialist to ensure that all information, data, and program stories from the field are captured, documented and reported on in an evidence-based approach and timely manner for internal and external purposes, while maintaining close collaboration with the PYE core team and network of local partners and CBOs.  The Communication and Reporting Officer will support the development of communication materials (e.g., information sheets, press releases, social media posts) on PYE activities for external English and Arabic audiences. He/She will ensure that related submissions will align with related Mercy Corps and USAID branding and marking guidelines.

Essential Responsibilities

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.

POSITION/ TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the development of weekly, biweekly, quarterly, and annual progress reports.
• Draft, edit, and coordinate inputs into documents, briefers, talking points, factsheets, memos, presentations, meeting minutes, and other resource materials.
• Keep track of PYE activities tracker, ensuring that program interventions are updated on regular basis, and providing any required support to PYE network of partners to upload required information.
• Support maintaining close communication and collaborate with the MEL team in the establishment of a systematic process for collecting and documenting information from partner organizations regarding their planned and implemented PYE-related activities, to ensure accurate and timely tracking and analysis of interventions.
• Undertake field visits to activities locations and safe spaces, to have a comprehensive understanding of the program components, and gather the information that will enrich reporting and communications efforts.
• Ensure that all PYE programs and/or activities across target localities are implemented in line with USAID branding and marking guidelines and respond to partners’ inquiries and review materials related to branding and marking to ensure compliance with the guidelines.
• Support the development and production of visibility materials for the PYE program including print and digital publications, video clips, and learning materials.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of success stories, data sheets, case studies, and Most Significant Change (MSC) stories with relevant stakeholders (USAID, Mercy Corps HQ, Regional Office).
• Capture and share photo documentation for all key activities in collaboration with the core PYE team and the partner organizations
• Support the translation of program stories, documents, and official letters from English to Arabic and vice versa as required.
• Assist in capacity strengthening workshops and training programs for the PYE network of partner organizations and CBOs on effective communication strategies, tools, and techniques to capitalize on their ability to effectively convey messages, engage stakeholders, and promote the objectives of the PYE program.
• Ensure active participation in meetings, workshops, and other networking events to support the PYE program communications and outreach efforts.
• Ensure proper representation of PYE program progress and achievements on Mercy Corps regional communication channels and outlets (Middle East Newsletter, Mercy Corps Factsheet, and Mercy Corps Workplace).
• Participate in planning and coordinating key PYE visibility events and activities (e.g., workshops, meetings, field visits), which includes managing logistics, coordinating with participants, and overseeing the branding and marking requirements, and development of related social media blurbs, and success stories.
• Keep track and monitor PYE program mentions on various social media platforms, including USAID and partner organizations. This involves actively monitoring social media conversations, posts, comments and mentions related to the PYE program.
• Maintain a database that will include all visual, reporting and communications material for the PYE team, including reports, program stories, factsheets, photos, videos, and ensure these are filed in an organized and, easily accessible, and searchable manner.
• Ensure effective communications, visibility, and knowledge management within Mercy Corps, PYE program, and to external audiences (e.g., USAID, and PYE network of partner organizations and CBOs hosting PYE safe spaces).
• Other duties as requested by the direct supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: PYE Reporting and Communications Specialist

Works Directly With: Senior Technical Expert (STE), Technical and MEL Teams, and local partners and community-based organizations (CBOs) hosting PYE safe spaces.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

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Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Possession of a Bachelor's degree is required in English, Communications, Public Relations, International Relations, Marketing or related fields.
• At least three years of relevant working experience in the field of communications and reporting, preferably with international organizations working in youth development.
• Persuasive and informative writing and editing, social media, planning and organizing public and/or outreach events, public relations, media, and communications. Professional experience in these areas is required.
• High degree of proficiency in both written and spoken English and Arabic including the ability to translate English to Arabic and vice versa utilizing precise and correct language.
• Well-versed in the latest electronic publishing and graphics methods.
• Priority will be given to candidates who demonstrate a high level of motivation and good communication, social, and interpersonal skills.
• Well-versed in MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and English/Arabic languages typing.
• Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel and with program partners and community members.
• Ability to conduct oneself with sensitivity and respect toward others

Success Factors

A successful Communications and Reporting Officer will be capable of multi-tasking, excellent communication and coordination skills, strong personality, initiative, drive, energy, and experience with on-the-job coaching. The ideal candidate will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a solid commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and prioritize effective written and verbal communication.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online HERE no later than 13:00 on Sunday, 18 August 2024.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.