Learning and Communications Intern at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper. In more than 40+ countries around the world,over5,400+ team members work side by side with people living through poverty, disaster, violent conflict, and the acute impacts of climate change. We’re committed to creating global change through local impact — 84% of our team members are from the countries where they work. Mercy Corps Nigeria was established in 2012 to respond to these challenges. The Nigeria team is headquartered in Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with offices throughout Nigeria delivering multi-sectoral life-saving humanitarian support, early recovery, and development programs. Specific sectoral work includes girls’ education and financial inclusion, community peacebuilding, market-based livelihoods, and a multi-sector humanitarian response. With the vision of a Nigeria in which all people are empowered, engaged, resilient and secure, Mercy Corps Nigeria focuses on the root causes of conflict, governance, humanitarian needs, and market systems development. Working with a diverse funding base, Mercy Corps empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. We stand with Nigeria to find and access opportunities, and to be part of lasting and meaningful transformation in the country.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Learning and Communications Intern

Requisition Number: 0NGIN004162
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type:
Position Status:Internship
Job Category: Media & Communications

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps Nigeria is implementing three programs in Borno State. Mercy Corps Nigeria is one of the sub-partners in a CRS-led consortium planning to deliver a 38 million USD, 24-month humanitarian and early-recovery activity in Borno State titled Transitioning Households to Recovery from Vulnerability (THRIVE).
• THRIVE will provide context-specific multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance with the goal of saving lives and initiating early recovery in four wards in Borno State, Jere LGA: Mairi, Mashamari, Dusuman, and Maimusari. Across the 24- month period, THRIVE will reach over 300,000 unique participants with a humanitarian and recovery intervention covering ten sectors: Food Assistance, Health, Multi-purpose Cash Assistance, Shelter & Settlement, Nutrition, WASH, Protection, Agriculture & Econ. Recovery and Market Systems (ERMS). Other partners in the THRIVE consortium are WINN, Salient Humanitarian Organization, Justice Development & Peace Commission (Maiduguri) and Herwa Community Development Initiative (HECDI), Maiduguri.
• Mercy Corps Nigeria is the lead agency in the consortium implementing the Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts (BEGE) program in Borno State. BEGE Borno is a 24-month USAID funded program with the goal to save and sustain lives and enhance adaptation of internally displaced persons and vulnerable host communities to shocks and systemic constraints within Borno State.
• The program will provide tailored multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance in five LGAs: Bama, Damboa, Dikwa, Monguno, and Konduga. BEGE Borno aims to reach about 241,000 unique participants with humanitarian intervention covering food assistance, health, MPCA, WASH, shelter and settlements, protection, agriculture, and nutrition. The other partner in the consortium is IRC.
• Mercy Corps Nigeria is one of the sub-partners in the FHI360 led Strengthening Humanitarian Response and Building Community Resilience in Northeast Nigeria (NE-CORE) consortium. The goal of the program is to provide immediate basic needs for Internally displaced persons in camps and host communities, ensure vulnerable families access food needs, shelter, clean water, and sanitation while receiving health, nutrition and protection services needed to survive and be protected.
• The program aims to reach individuals in Bama and Ngala with multi-layered interventions in seven sectors: food assistance, nutrition, MPCA, WASH, shelter and settlement, protection, and agriculture. Partners in the NE-CORE consortium are FHI360, Mercy Corps, DRC and Intersos.

General Position Summary

• The Learning and Communications Intern will be responsible for supporting the learning and communications activities of Mercy Corps Nigeria’s Maiduguri field office.
• This position aims to enhance knowledge sharing, improve communication strategies, and contribute to organizational learning.
• The intern will work closely with the Senior Learning and Communications Officer to ensure the successful implementation of learning and communication initiatives.

Objectives
The primary objectives of the Learning and Communications Intern are as follows:

• Support the development and implementation of learning and communication strategies.
• Assist in capturing and disseminating knowledge and best practices across Mercy Corps Nigeria programs.
• Enhance internal and external communication channels to effectively share information and promote visibility.
• Contribute to strengthening the capacity of staff in learning and communication methods.

Essential Job Responsibilities
The Learning and Communications Intern will perform the following tasks:

• Support the Senior Learning and Communications Officer in designing and implementing learning and communication strategies and activities.
• Assist in conducting research and analysis to identify relevant learning and communication trends and best practices.
• Collaborate with program teams to gather, document, and share lessons learned, success stories, and case studies.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products such as reports, briefs, and presentations.
• Support the organization and facilitation of workshops, trainings, and learning events.
• Contribute to the production and dissemination of regular newsletters, updates, and other communication materials.
• Provide support in editing and proofreading documents for clarity, coherence, and adherence to branding guidelines.
• Assist in the organization and archiving of documents, photos, and other media files related to learning and communications.
• Stay updated on emerging trends and innovations in learning and communication practices and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Perform any other duties as required.

Deliverables
The Learning and Communications Intern will be responsible for delivering the following:

• Regular reports on learning and communication activities, progress, and challenges.
• Knowledge products, including reports, briefs, and presentations.
• Content for newsletters, updates, and other communication materials.
• Documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and case studies.

Duration and Reporting:

• The Learning and Communications Intern will be a full-time position based in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The duration of the internship is 6 months (Renewable).
• The intern will report directly to the Senior Learning and Communications Officer.
• Note: This position will require frequent travels to deep field locations (Bama, Damboa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Mungonu, and Ngala).

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.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Senior Learning and Communications Officer
• Works Directly with: Program Team

Knowledge and Experience
The ideal candidate for the Learning and Communications Intern position should possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Communications, Journalism, International Development, or a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse team.
• Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Photography and videography skills will be an added advantage.
• Kanuri language proficiency will be an asset.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building.
• Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
• The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing context is necessary.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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.

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 can better 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. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a 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, colour, 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 the 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
6th October, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.