Communication Intern

Job Description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. 

 Position Title: Communication Intern

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Open Position:  1

Duration of Internship: 1 Year

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

Mercy Corps Ethiopia’s Communications unit one of the key parts in the country’s program quality team with the responsibility of documenting and creatively showcasing program impacts across the country portfolio. The communications team leads crafting of country level communication strategy and devising ways for impact story gathering and dissemination in innovative and creative ways to a wide and diverse audience. The Communications team provides strategic guidance as well as capacity building on key messaging, storytelling, photo/video shooting, and documenting learning for the country team.  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

By the end of the internship, the intern will have developed the following knowledge and experience:

• He/she will have practical experience of working as a communication practitioner.
• Will get the opportunity to practice the theoretical ideas accumulated in university.
• Will understand the ethical practices during story collection, interview, photo, and videography.
• Will exercise writing human interest stories for variety of audiences.

 DELIVERABLES: (describe any tangible and measurable result or outcome to complete the project or part of a project)

• Good quality photographs with captions collected from different programs as per the request.
• Gather and document human interest stories from program implementation areas.
• Develop and post contents on workplace continuously.
• Assist in organizing weekly learning hour event.

Job Requirement

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

1. BA degree in journalism, English Language and Literature, Law, political science and international relations, public relations, and related fields/
2. One letter of recommendation from a university / higher institution on the candidate’s personal integrity and sense of responsibility.
3. Basic understanding of cameras and photography skills are desirable.

LIVING CONDITIONS: The internship should be based in the intern’s home location.

Mercy Corps interns and volunteers represent the agency both during and outside work hours and are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Understand and aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute for the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute in the execution)
• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with a team member, partners and program participants.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

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.