’ outstanding work to help people around the world survive through crises, build better lives, and transform their communities for good. The team strives to raise Mercy Corps’ public profile and support the agency’s fundraising and advocacy efforts. The team primarily engages with international, American, and European media, but also works with community groups and influencers in key markets.
The PositionAs an integral member of the Mercy Corps media relations team, the Senior Communications Officer will develop and implement integrated communications strategies that build trust, brand equity and engagement with our external audiences through public engagements, and profiling senior leaders.
Essential Job Responsibilities
On-time development and delivery of an annual communications workplan that articulates priority storylines aligned to Mercy Corps’ global strategy and European influence/visibility priorities Work across the organization to identify the most innovative and impactful Mercy Corps models and programs to put forward as social impact award applicants Partner with the Corporate and Foundations Team to create targeted LinkedIn thought leadership content and engagement campaigns that engage CEOs and other individuals of importance for the development team. Develop and implement communications and around significant partnership milestone moments in coordination with the development and MarComms teams. Create and implement a communications, media, and influence plan to support the growth of Mercy Corps’ thematic expertise, with particular emphasis on climate change, resilience, and adaptation. This may include development of corporate communications products and channels which include key messages, op-eds, blogs and social media content. Provide day-to-day support for the Executive Director’s social media accounts, to grow profile and influence and foster relationships with key leaders of corporate partners, government officials and other thought leaders. Seek opportunities to position the Executive Director and other executives/leaders at key high-profile industry events across Europe including through panels, interviews or speaking engagements, in partnership with advocacy, development and other teams leading event engagement. Create short-form video on timely issues for Executive and Corporate social media channels, particularly during country visits. Project manage & lead the development and execution of first class, integrated communications strategies that build trust and engage external audiences to take action, working closely with media, brand, fundraising, and program teams
Develop communications messaging and tone of voice for communications and fundraising campaigns to be used across products and channels - ensuring the consistency and coherence of our external communications by working closely with communications, digital and fundraising colleagues.
Work alongside brand marketing and content teams, develop tools, tactics, and products for driving conversation, engagement and action among the public. This includes developing blog posts and articles, photo/video galleries, and other content to be used on web and various social channels, while maintaining oversight of key messaging and narrative.
Contribute to and manage the team’s editorial calendar, ensuring integrated communications work is reflected across external channels, and the messaging and content inspire audiences to take action
Ensure communications team representation on key agency matrix groups in support of the organizational strategy to ensure visibility into newsworthy research, programing and other storytelling opportunities.
Engage with multiple stakeholders in communications, content, brand, digital, programmes, and fundraising to ensure strategic communications deliver on wider global objectives and demonstrate integrated impact.
Manage agency partners where appropriate.
Support communications about our global strategy, Pathway to Possibility
Partner with the Development team and support the development a new partnerships communications framework, with a focus on corporate partners, to build our brand and profile across Europe
Write key messages and develop materials to promote partnerships on our external and internal channels, working closely with content, digital and media teams.
Develop and implement a VIP and talent/influencer engagement strategy, building a network, and ensuring we maximise our engagement
Keep abreast of relevant sector trends through maintaining strong connections to peers and marketing leaders, and horizon scan on external news and events, and develop reactive plans when they are relevant to Mercy Corps’ work
Lead after action reviews after emergencies or the completion of large projects, and measure the impact of our communications and media work
Supervisory ResponsibilityNone
AccountabilityReports Directly To: Head of Media for Europe
Works Directly With: Other members of the communications team, including Mercy Corps Europe press officers; digital marketing and fundraising teams; VP of Marketing and Communications; Chief Development and Marketing Officer; office of the Executive Director; corporate and foundation team; policy and advocacy team; other departments including Program Operations, Humanitarian Leadership and Response and Technical Support Unit.
Accountability to Participants and StakeholdersMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
BA or equivalent in journalism, public relations or international relations required. 5-7 years of professional experience in communications, media relations, journalism, or marketing required. Established track record of generating positive media coverage in national outlets in Europe; relationships with media in or reporting for these markets, or other visibility metrics for external relations Proven experience as an effective on-the-record spokesperson with print, broadcast and online media. Superior written and verbal communications skills a must; ability to “translate” technical language into compelling stories needed. Experience in international development and/or humanitarian response issues preferred.Success Factors
The successful Manager - Communications and Media will be a proactive PR professional with a rolodex of established media contacts, and an excellent storyteller and writer with a nose for news. They need to be able to prioritize, multi-task and organize many urgent tasks. They should be a self-starter who can strategize and implement fully baked media outreach plans, as well be a good team player. They must have a deep knowledge of Mercy Corps programs and a commitment to the goals of the organization. This person will demonstrate creativity and flexibility, as well as a proven ability to learn quickly and be accountable for results. Even temperament and a good sense of humor appreciated.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in London and may require up to (20%) travel across Europe, U.S., and program site locations.Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a country program or on a visit/TDY to a program site. 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.
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 developmentMercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a country program or on a visit/TDY to a program site. 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 & InclusionAchieving 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 & EthicsMercy 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 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 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.