Communication and Learning Consultant at Mercy Corps

Project Overview

• The NHF-funded Integrated Lifesaving WASH & Nutrition Response in Borno and Yobe aims to address acute malnutrition and WASH-related disease risks through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach targeting over 153,000 vulnerable people.

Purpose and Objectives

• Mercy Corps seeks to engage a Communication and Learning Consultant to support the production of end-of-project visual documentation of Mercy Corps' implementation of the project, with a strong focus on capturing learning, evidence, and storytelling.
• The consultant will generate high-quality visual content that documents how programs are implemented, what works, what does not, and why, through structured visual storytelling, interviews, and contextual footage.
• The assignment will be executed across three phases:
  • Pre-Production
  • Field Production
  • Post-Production and Delivery
• The assignment will contribute to the learning plan of the program by addressing the following learning questions:

Learning Questions
Overarching Question (Integration):

• What added value does integrated WASH–Nutrition programming in fragile contexts provide compared to standalone nutrition interventions in reducing child wasting?

Example of a lower-level question to further explore the above:

• Through which pathways does integrated WASH–Nutrition deliver additional reductions in child wasting—particularly through reduced illness burden (e.g., diarrhoea and other WASH-related morbidity), improved caregiver practices (food hygiene, handwashing, safe water use), and improved nutrition service uptake/adherence—and how do these pathway changes translate into improved wasting outcomes (incidence, recovery, relapse/default)?

WASH:

• How effective are rehabilitated/constructed water points and sanitation facilities in improving access, safety, and hygiene outcomes?

Nutrition:

• How do different MAM treatment modalities (RUSF vs. Tom Brown) compare in relation to recovery outcomes and caregiver acceptance?

Operational / Enablers:

• What are the enablers and bottlenecks that influence NHF team members' ability to understand, design, implement, and manage integrated WASH and Nutrition emergency responses?

Design, Methods and Deliverables:

• Working closely with the Communications team, the consultant will leverage a mix of desk reviews and primary data collection (through videography) as a critical part of the asset-gathering process.

Desk review documents will include:

• Program-generated stories and reports
• Routine Monitoring Reports
• SOPs and Implementation Approach documents
• Proposal documents

The consultant will also work closely with the Learning and Documentation Consultant to establish a strong foundation for the assignment by aligning with Mercy Corps teams and defining a clear visual learning approach through the following key steps:

• Program Familiarization
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Development of Documentation Plan
• Field Production / Data Collection

Visual Documentation of Program Implementation:

• Program activities
• Implementation processes
• Service delivery quality
• Community engagement and accountability

Interviews and Testimonies:

• Internal stakeholders
• External stakeholders
• Community members/beneficiaries
• Story Development in the Field
• Contextual and Environmental Footage
• Technical Standards
• Post-Production and Content Development
• Photo Processing
• Video Editing:
  • Documentary video (15–20 minutes)
  • Short thematic videos (1–3 minutes each)
  • Narrative development
• Integration of Learning

Final Deliverables
Final Deliverables Package:
Photo Deliverables:

• 50–100 edited high-resolution images, fully captioned and categorized

Video Deliverables:

• One (1) documentary video (15–20 minutes)
• Six (6) to Nine (9) short thematic videos (1–3 minutes each)

Raw Files:

• All raw photos and video footage organized by location, date, and activity

Learning Products:

• Produce 3–5 high-quality infographic learning briefs. Themes will be jointly reviewed with the Mercy Corps team to ensure alignment with the learning plan.

Documentation:

• Signed consent forms for all participants
• Metadata and file index
• Summary note highlighting key stories and themes captured

Eligibility / Consultant Selection Criteria
The consultant must meet the following minimum qualifications and competencies:
Education:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics, Communications, or a related field.

Experience:

• 3–5 years of progressive professional experience in learning documentation, knowledge management, development communication, or research.
• Demonstrated experience producing videography, lessons learned products, analytical reports, frameworks, and learning briefs for humanitarian or development programmes.
• Proven track record of working with international NGOs, donors, and multi-sectoral programmes, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• Prior experience working in Northern Nigeria or similar humanitarian contexts is a strong advantage.

Technical Competencies:

• Strong qualitative research and synthesis skills, including desk reviews, KIIs, and FGDs.
• Ability to translate complex technical and monitoring data into clear and compelling narratives.
• Proven capacity to design and deliver high-quality learning products, including infographics, briefing papers, and narrative reports.
• Sound understanding of Gender, Social Inclusion, Conflict Sensitivity, and Do No Harm principles.

Communication and Language Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including programme teams and community actors.
• Working knowledge of local languages (e.g., Hausa) is an added advantage.

Professional Attributes:

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated professionalism, confidentiality, and adherence to data protection standards.

Reporting Line:

• The Consultant will report directly to the Mercy Corps Nigeria Communication Manager and the Program Performance and Quality Director.

Consultancy Duration:

• The consultancy will be implemented over 30 days, from 15 July 2026 to 15 August 2026, working closely with the MEL, Programmes, and Communications teams.