Communications INTERN

Position Description

Location Monrovia, Liberia (with occasional travel)

Position Status Full-time, six months (extension possible based on budget and performance)

Salary Level Based on experience and qualifications

Current Team Member Staff member currently in this position (None)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

The Communications Intern sits within the Performance and Quality (PaQ) team, which forms a critical component of the broader agency Strategy and Learning Initiative that seeks to drive greater evidence-based decision-making for greater program impact and accountability. The PaQ team works directly with agency leadership – in country and at headquarters – to strengthen program performance and quality by positioning it as a strategic functional area that is a critical mechanism for learning and is a part of good business practice for the agency. The team represents Mercy Corps externally to ensure our experience helps shape the relief and development field and to ensure that Mercy Corps keeps abreast of developments in donor and peer agency approaches to monitoring and evaluation.

General Position Summary

This role offers an opportunity for a mutually benefitting experience. The Communications Intern will provide critical support to the Learning and Reporting Coordinator and PaQ Manager in documenting program learning and in communicating information about Mercy Corps Liberia to a wide range of stakeholders, while also learning skills essential for self-development and professional growth. The Communications Intern will be responsible for growing Mercy Corps’ Liberia social media presence.

Essential Job Responsibilities

COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

• Develop and keep an updated media contact list and provide support to addressing media inquiries;
• Assist with drafting and disseminating press releases, statements, opinion editorials and other contents for the media;
• Contribute to maintaining MCL social media platforms, including posting/updating information on Facebook, Workplace, YouTube, etc;
• Assist with drafting success stories and maintaining an active case study folder on the MCL shared drive;
• Support with learning and documentation, including note-taking/drafting minutes during programme meetings and learning events;
• Assist in producing photographic/video materials, brochures and other documentation;
• Support with coordinating media/donor visits, including taking photographs/producing videos and managing reporters;
• Perform other related duties as required.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

• Assist with organizing program activities, including preparing purchase requisitions (PRs) and liaising with Operations to ensure the procurement of needed training and office supplies
• Assist with printing and photocopying relevant office documents
• Maintain complete stock of office supplies and accuracy of inventory
• Take notes and maintain meeting minutes

CAPACITY BUILDING

In exchange of the services to be provided, the Communication Intern will also benefit from several capacity building and career development initiatives. Specially, the Communication Intern will:

• Benefit from a wide range of learning opportunities and training available on Mercy Corps’ online Talent Development website, which are designed to developed skills in specific areas;
• Receive hands-on support and mentorship from the PaQ Manager and Learning and Reporting Coordinator with a focus on enhancing skills in developing compelling content, effective media engagement, programme reporting, and contributing to digital media;
• Gain understanding of office management/procedure and in the use of office equipment;
• Receive a certificate of completion of internship and a letter of recommendation from Mercy Corps upon the successful completion of the internship program.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries 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 our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

COMPENSATION

• The intern will receive a monthly stipend of 200 USD
• They will receive a monthly phone injection of 5 USD

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Learning and Reporting Coordinator

Works Directly with: Communications Focal Points, Program Teams

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor degree in any social science, Mass Communication or Journalism;
• Experience in communications management and/or journalism;
• Ability to uphold a strict level of confidentiality;
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills in English;
• Exceptional time management, planning and organizational skills;
• Ability to work independently and effectively under pressure.

Success Factors

Ability to work with different platforms on the internet. Ability to obtain or give factual information of a non-routine nature involving interpretation of facts and requiring clarity of expression. Ability to perform detailed work, frequently of a confidential nature and/or to handle a large volume of work systematically, effectively and accurately. Ability to work in a team environment and coordinate assignments to achieve common goals. Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural background. S/he has the ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with project personnel. They must be computer literate with strong organizational skills.

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. 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.