Categories: Vacancies, May 2026

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT & LEARNING SPECIALIST (Internal Only)

Location: Somali

Organization: Mercy Corps

Deadline: Feb 14, 2025

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.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps in partnership with WFP is implementing a comprehensive Climate-Proofing Food Security in Ethiopia’s Drought Prone Lowland Areas in Dollo Ado and Dollo Bay woredas. This ambitious program is designed to revitalize the local food systems, ensuring that they are robust, sustainable, and capable of supporting the nutritional and economic needs of both refugee and host community populations. By integrating a variety of support mechanisms—ranging from agricultural enhancement to financial inclusion, market connectivity, and livelihood augmentation—the intervention is meticulously crafted to foster resilience and improve nutritional outcomes. The initiative is not a one-size-fits-all solution; rather, it is a carefully orchestrated series of actions, each one building upon the other, to address the unique challenges and leverage the strengths of the households it serves. For instance, agricultural beneficiaries will not only receive support but will also be encouraged to form cooperatives, engage in savings and loan associations, and tap into microfinance opportunities, thereby weaving a strong fabric of communal support and financial empowerment.

The project’s vision extends beyond immediate aid, setting its sights on long-term development and self-reliance. Recognizing the untapped potential of agriculture in the region, hindered by water scarcity and inadequate infrastructure, the intervention aims to transform these challenges into opportunities. By providing access to irrigated land and modernizing agricultural practices through the introduction of solar pumps and regenerative techniques, the project aspires to unlock the full potential of local agriculture. This holistic approach includes not only the provision of quality seeds and inputs but also the cultivation of knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable farming practices. Training in climate-smart agriculture and business acumen is a cornerstone of this strategy, equipping households with the tools to thrive independently and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.

General Position Summary

The Knowledge Management & Learning Specialist is a key position in the Dollo Ado program team with the responsibility of documenting and creatively showcasing program impacts across the Area portfolio. The position holder will be responsible for leading the crafting of area level communication strategy and devising ways for impact story gathering and dissemination in innovative and creative ways to a wide and diverse audience. The KM & Learning Specialist provides strategic guidance as well as capacity building on key messaging, storytelling, photo/video shooting, and documenting learning. S/he works closely with the country communications team to support external engagement with national audiences. The position reports to the Team Lead and will receive technical guidance from the Performance and Quality (PaQ) director at Mercy Corps Ethiopia Office.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

Lead the strategic documentation, collection, and production of high-quality stories and lessons focusing on key results and lessons learned.
Design and implement capacity strengthening and facilitation materials for story collection and development, supporting programs’ ability to consistently and effectively communicate their program vision with key audiences. Provide ongoing mentorship to teams to improve story collection and production. The communications manager also provides guidance to program teams on recommended strategies to build a foundation for strong storytelling and documentation.
Enhance the communications approach of key flagship programs of Mercy Corps Ethiopia to help them develop plans to elevate their stories, evidence and influence externally and internally.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Oversee the development of publications, materials, and other products from design to writing, editing, branding and distribution; and work with the country PaQ team and program managers in the production of quarterly newsletter and donor reports.
Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
Lead the development or updating of the area communications strategy, ensuring that it aligns with and supports the achievement of Mercy Corps Ethiopia strategic objectives, Africa Regional and the Mercy Corps Global Strategies.
Provide communications support and guidance to Mercy Corps Ethiopia’s program team to ensure project and donor communications and branding requirements are met.
Track country office visibility and communication initiatives: advise on the integration of communications plans into program work-plans, and support program teams to develop communications strategies and plans as per donor requirements.
Manage events and relationships that include facilitating government, corporate, donor, and other high level official visits to project sites and head office.
Act as the lead brand manager, maintaining standards across materials, events, and other media

Build the capacity of all relevant team members in communications, including donor regulations and technical abilities such as photography, videography, developing messages and materials for program activities.
Coordinate closely with Regional/HQ communications focal points to develop key messages, press releases, and statements for external audiences, in response to evolving events.
Work with Regional communications focal points, program teams, security staff and SMT to facilitate visits from international journalists.
Mercy Corps institutional linkage: directly work with Mercy Corps country & Regional communications team to ensure Area level communications materials are linked to MC Ethiopia and MC Global communications initiatives.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to MC Dollo programs
Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

Adherence of gender minimum standards
Make sure GESI issues are properly reflected during program management.
Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender inclusive team building process
Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Team Lead

Technical Line Report To: PAQ Director

Works Directly With: MEL Teams, Program implementation team, Operations and Finance

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.

Knowledge and Experience

BA/S degree in in communication, journalism, Research, public relations, development studies, Language and Literature or relevant field-Master’s degree preferred.
4+ years of progressive work experience in communications and knowledge management for donor-funded development programs.
Exceptional writing, editing, and public speaking skills in English are required.
Ability to summarize and simplify complex information and communicate it to targeted groups.
Familiarity with graphic design, photo editing, and video editing.
Experience in agriculture or economic development donor-funded programming preferred.
High degree of computer literacy; graphic design tools, photography/videography, Excel and powerpoint skills are essential.
Excellent communication, presentation and organizational skills.
Fluency in written and oral English and Somali languages preferred. Must be able to read and interpret documents and communicate with others as necessary to perform job duties effectively.

Success Factors

Excellent communication, facilitation, partnerships, and networking skills with a wide range of private, partner and NGO-sector actors. Business-minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, with great problem-solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated. Tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. Computer proficiency especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other graphic design tools such as Adobe suites.

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 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.