Communication and Reporting Officer -YOU-SB at Mercy Corps

Project Description:
With funding from the Department for International Development (DfID), Mercy Corps will implement the “Youth Stabilization Initiative for Borno (YOU-SB)”, which seeks to address the grievances and unequal economic opportunities that leave youth vulnerable to recruitment and radicalization by violent extremist groups. YOU-SB will support civil society, government actors, community and religious leaders, and youth to increase community resilience to prevent the spread of violent extremism in Borno State. By facilitating dialogue and collaboration among the stakeholders to prevent violence, the program’s goals are aligned with the objectives outlined by UK DfID 2014-2016 Operational Strategy, which aims to support progress in Northern Nigeria in order to promote regional stability in the Sahel. The proposed program will focus on both “push” and “pull” factors that drive youth to participate in violence, including governance grievances, unequal economic opportunities and vulnerability to extremist messaging. YOU-SB puts emphasis on evidence generation and program learning, and the key program components have the potential for smart, significant scale-up beyond the life of this initial eight-month program.

Position Responsibilities:
The Communications and Reporting Officer will provide leadership in all aspects of knowledge management, communications, and learning. S/he will report to the Deputy Program Manager and implement activities that ensure adherence to Mercy Corps and DFID standards, including the use of standardized indicators and documentation methodologies. S/he will support communications, documenting project impact and key lessons learned, and coordinating with Mercy Corps’ partner staff. She/he will also lead information campaigns, media engagement and the development of all donor program reports.

General Position Summary:
The Communication and Reports Officer will assist the Deputy Program Manager and the entire program team in the daily smooth running of the program in the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) (Maiduguri, Biu, and Damboa) in Borno State. Specifically, the Communications and Reporting Officer will compile and prepare reports for the program in line with internal reporting requirements.

Essential Job Functions:

Technical Leadership –Information and Media Campaigns:

• Develop strategies for managing knowledge generated from implementation of the You-SB program under each output.
• Make recommendations to enable smooth management of information.
• Facilitate orientation sessions to acquaint staff on agreed strategies and on how to do proper documentation.
• Regularly review You-SB data collection and reporting procedure and provide technical assistance.
• Coordinate internal and external reviews of information collected and lead the analysis of findings, with a strong emphasis on learning.
• Participate in the preparation of high-quality quarterly and annual reports.
• Lead advocacy campaigns to increase the ability of CSOs to lead assessments and engage with state actors, community leaders, and at-risk groups to ensure sustainability.
• Work closely with religious leaders to support campaigns to sensitize communities in preparedness for reintegration of former members of violent extremist groups.

Capacity Building to CSO Partners

• Actively participate in meetings and processes to promote effective program management for partners and staff.
• In close collaboration with MEL Manager and program teams, define customized learning and capacity development plans according to You-SB staff and project needs.
• Problem-solve with others to address shortfalls in MEL and information management that affect program implementation.
• Participate in M&E-related working groups and maintain close working relationships with MEL counterparts in other relevant international NGOs, local NGOs, and associations in Nigeria.
• Will work to strengthen civil society’s capacity to collect, analyze, and disseminate data to track and promote public discourse on drivers of instability and potential threats to stability.

Reporting and Collaboration

• Update and manage electronic and hardcopy filing system of reports, in close cooperation with program team.
• On a bi-weekly basis, compile activity reports and share them with the team. This includes standardizing format and vocabulary. Ensure a high quality of reports in terms of format and English.
• Assist the Project Manager in written correspondence to officials, NGOs, and other organizations. Maintain a file of all official correspondence.
• Visit all program sites at least twice a month. Stay up to date on activities in all communities and on any problems and initiatives. Should have a strong, working knowledge of all program activities and beneficiaries.
• Monitor daily program activity to provide weekly overviews to the MEL Manager/PM on progress, challenges, and suggestions.
• Take comprehensive minutes at meetings.
• Data-entry of program information, as assigned. Develop charts, statistical reports, and data-bases as required by MEL/Program Manager.
• Track project development throughout the target locations.
• Coordinate training plans with partner staff, identify training needs, and develop, implement, and maintain a training plan.
• Information Management and Knowledge Sharing
• Develop donor reports and design a system that will ensure project documentation is consistent, accessible, and available.
• Make recommendations on dissemination of information about the organization's best practices to internal and external audiences.
• Lead development of appropriate knowledge products and develop dissemination plan in collaboration with the MEL Manager.
• Utilize internal Mercy Corps global online information-sharing resources to enhance organizational learning.
• Support the collection, alignment, and reporting of relevant program indicators as part of Mercy Corps’ global Mission Metrics initiative.
• Make performance results available to relevant program teams so that they can be used for continuous improvement.
• Advise the MEL team on areas of improvement.

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

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The successful candidate must be able to work independently and show initiative;

experience in an NGO setting; report writing; ability to make recommendations for improvement; strong computer (MS Office), filing, and organizational skills; Advanced knowledge of written and spoken English and Hausa is essential and knowledge of Kanuri strongly preferred; Ability to translate letters, reports and meetings as required; Proven ability to provide oral and written translation from Hausa to English and vice versa; willingness to travel throughout the project areas in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) (Maiduguri, Biu and Damboa)  in Borno State.

The ideal candidate should also possess the following;

• Postgraduate degree in development studies, communications, social sciences, or other relevant field, with a strong foundation in Knowledge Management, Communication, and Research.
• Minimum 3-5 years of communications, media and media relations experience with private sector, NGOs, UN and/or government; particular experience working with radio outlets, messaging campaigns and advocacy is preferred.
• Experience in reporting and editing.
• Experience working with/for UK Department for International Development (DFID) or other donors.
• Fluency in English and Hausa required. Kanuri strongly preferred.
• Familiarity and experience working in conflict zones and fragile communities is preferred.
• Supervisory Responsibility: N/A. Reports directly to Deputy Project Manager
• Works directly with: The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer

Success Factors:
The successful Communications and Reporting Officer should have the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.

Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions:
The Communications and Reporting Officer will be based in Maiduguri, Borno State with regular travel to all project sites in Borno State. S/he will travel frequently to locations where security may be particularly difficult at times.