Communications Specialist BSP | Addis Ababa

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Organization: Mercy Corps

Deadline: October 18, 2026

Job Description

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.

About Mercy Corps Ethiopia

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. Our vision is 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.

Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 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 the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes the U.S. Department of State, the European Union (EU), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the United Nations (UN), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), and a range of other institutional and private foundations.

Position Title: Communications Specialist BSP

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Open Position: 1

Risk Level: Level 3

The Program / Department / Team

Border Security Programme – Ethiopia

The Border Security Programme (BSP) is an FCDO-funded regional programme designed to disrupt organised immigration crime (OIC) and contribute to safer borders and safer communities. The programme works through four mutually reinforcing outcome areas: evidence and analysis; stronger law-enforcement capability; community engagement, reporting and early warning; and witness support and protection.

In Ethiopia, BSP is implemented as a dedicated country component aligned with the regional programme, Ethiopian law and institutions, Government of Ethiopia priorities, and the realities of selected border and migration corridors. Mercy Corps works with relevant government institutions at federal, regional and local levels, consortium partners, Ethiopian civil-society and specialist partners, communities and other stakeholders to strengthen existing systems and locally grounded responses rather than establish parallel structures. Programme implementation is evidence-led, conflict-sensitive, rights-respecting and adaptive to changing border, migration and operational dynamics.

The position forms part of the regional BSP and operates within its overall management framework. Major strategic, public-facing and sensitive communications decisions or escalations are managed through BSP Leadership in partnership with the Mercy Corps Ethiopia Country Office.

The Position Summary

The Communications Specialist serves as the country-level communications focal point for BSP in Ethiopia. The Specialist supports the adaptation and implementation of the programme’s regional communications and stakeholder-engagement approach for the Ethiopia context and develops high-quality communications products that communicate programme progress, learning and results to appropriate audiences. The role works closely with programme leadership, technical teams, MRELA, partners and Mercy Corps Ethiopia communications colleagues to ensure messaging is accurate, coherent, conflict-sensitive and appropriate to the programme’s operating environment.

The Specialist develops and coordinates written, visual and digital content; supports programme campaigns, learning and stakeholder events; and translates verified programme evidence into accessible communications products. Given the politically sensitive nature of BSP, the position also supports communications risk monitoring and preparedness, including draft holding lines, talking points, Q&As and other materials for approved use. The Specialist does not independently issue sensitive public statements or make commitments on behalf of BSP; major external communications and sensitive messaging are coordinated through BSP Leadership and the Mercy Corps Ethiopia Country Office.Essential Job Responsibilities

1) Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support adaptation and implementation of the BSP regional communications strategy for Ethiopia, ensuring communications are aligned with programme objectives, country context, donor requirements and approved messaging.
• Develop clear, accurate and audience-appropriate messaging, talking points, briefing materials and communications products for government, partners, donor and other approved stakeholders.
• Advise the Ethiopia Country Lead and programme teams on communications opportunities, sensitivities, visibility and reputational considerations.
• Coordinate government-facing communications with the Government Engagement Advisor and ensure sensitive external messaging follows agreed approval processes.

2) Evidence, Learning and Content Development

• Translate verified programme evidence, learning and results into clear communications products for approved internal and external audiences.
• Work closely with the MRELA Advisor and programme teams to develop learning briefs, stories, factsheets, presentations and other programme content.
• Develop and maintain a structured pipeline of communications content linked to programme milestones, learning priorities and donor requirements.
• Contribute high-quality communications content to programme reports, presentations and management products as required.

3) Sensitive Content, Campaigns and Events Management

• Lead the design and delivery of communications activities and campaigns, including community-based awareness and prevention initiatives, in coordination with consortium partners.
• Oversee the safe and ethical documentation of programme stories and case studies, including survivor-informed communications developed in collaboration with Manager partners ensuring informed consent and safeguarding standards.
• Plan and coordinate programme learning and thought leadership events, including workshops, briefings and closed-door policy discussions.
• Manage communications-related logistics for events, including content development, coordination with vendors and stakeholder engagement.

4) Programme Coordination and Compliance Support

• Work closely with programme teams and partners to ensure communications activities are aligned with programme implementation plans, safeguarding standards and risk management protocols.
• Lead internal coordination of communications inputs across programme components and consortium partners.
• Ensure all communications activities comply with Mercy Corps policies, donor requirements and security and safeguarding protocols.
• Perform other related duties as required to support programme delivery.

5)   Risk Communication and Sensitive Messaging

• Lead BSP’s crisis and defensive communications preparedness, including protocols, escalation and approval processes, holding lines, and talking points for foreseeable high-risk or sensitive scenarios.
• Coordinate timely, accurate and risk-sensitive responses to adverse coverage or sensitive incidents, ensuring consistent messaging across the consortium and alignment with Mercy Corps and donor requirements.
• Monitor and advise programme leadership on communications and reputational risks, ensuring responses protect operational security, survivor confidentiality, sensitive stakeholder relationships and the programme’s low-visibility approach.

Safeguarding responsibilities 

• Actively learns safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Ethiopia Program Lead

Works Directly With:   Government Engagement Advisor; MRELA Advisor and MRELA ; Area Coordinators; BSP technical and outcome leads; Mercy Corps Ethiopia communications and programme-support teams; implementing and consortium partners.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy 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

• Recognized qualification in Journalism, Communications, Media, Polical Science, International Relations or relevant fields. Masters will be an added advantage.
• At least five years of progressively responsible communications, media, public relations or strategic communications experience, preferably with an INGO, international organisation or donor-funded programme.
• Demonstrated experience in communication and storytelling for sensitive or political programmes.
• Experience in managing communications in crisis situations to safeguard progamme and institutional reputations.
• Politically astute and comfortable engaging in sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent track record in copy writing and editing skills, and a portfolio of quality written products for a variety of formats (e.g. blogs, articles, op-eds, press releases).
• Proven experience in developing and executing communications plans.
• Experience in web design & content production (e.g. video and still photography) is a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; demonstrated ability to produce high-quality communications products, and to customized to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills,
• Excellent creative and conceptual skills.
• Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives and working as a team.

 Success Factors

The successful Communications Specialist will be a thoughtful, creative and discreet communicator with strong judgement in politically sensitive environments. They will translate complex programme information into clear and credible content, balance visibility with risk, and work effectively across programme, technical and partner teams. They will demonstrate strong attention to detail, integrity, cultural awareness and respect for confidentiality, safeguarding and approved communications processes.

 Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with regular travel to BSP programme locations and partner offices across Ethiopia as required. Travel may include remote and border areas where access or security conditions may vary. Team members are expected to comply with Mercy Corps safety and security procedures and respect local laws, customs, policies and values at all times.

 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

 Team Engagement and Effectiveness  

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

 Equal Employment Opportunity 

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

 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 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

How to Apply

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically through this: >>LINK.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 18 October 2026/ 4:00 PM