Communication and Learning Consultant at Mercy Corps
Since 1979, we have helped people grappling with the toughest hardships survive – and then thrive. That’s the heart of our approach: We help communities turn crisis into opportunity.
Throughout our history, Mercy Corps has demonstrated innovation, timeliness and the ability to adapt quickly to changing realities.Project Overview
The NHF-funded Integrated Lifesaving WASH & Nutrition Response in Borno and Yobe aims to address acute malnutrition and WASH-related disease risks through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach targeting over 153,000 vulnerable people.
Purpose and Objectives
Mercy Corps seeks to engage a Communication and Learning Consultant to support the production of end-of-project visual documentation of Mercy Corps' implementation of the project, with a strong focus on capturing learning, evidence, and storytelling.
The consultant will generate high-quality visual content that documents how programs are implemented, what works, what does not, and why, through structured visual storytelling, interviews, and contextual footage.
The assignment will be executed across three phases:
Pre-Production
Field Production
Post-Production and Delivery
The assignment will contribute to the learning plan of the program by addressing the following learning questions:
Learning Questions
Overarching Question (Integration):
What added value does integrated WASH–Nutrition programming in fragile contexts provide compared to standalone nutrition interventions in reducing child wasting?
Example of a lower-level question to further explore the above:
Through which pathways does integrated WASH–Nutrition deliver additional reductions in child wasting—particularly through reduced illness burden (e.g., diarrhoea and other WASH-related morbidity), improved caregiver practices (food hygiene, handwashing, safe water use), and improved nutrition service uptake/adherence—and how do these pathway changes translate into improved wasting outcomes (incidence, recovery, relapse/default)?
WASH:
How effective are rehabilitated/constructed water points and sanitation facilities in improving access, safety, and hygiene outcomes?
Nutrition:
How do different MAM treatment modalities (RUSF vs. Tom Brown) compare in relation to recovery outcomes and caregiver acceptance?
Operational / Enablers:
What are the enablers and bottlenecks that influence NHF team members' ability to understand, design, implement, and manage integrated WASH and Nutrition emergency responses?
Design, Methods and Deliverables:
Working closely with the Communications team, the consultant will leverage a mix of desk reviews and primary data collection (through videography) as a critical part of the asset-gathering process.
Desk review documents will include:
Program-generated stories and reports
Routine Monitoring Reports
SOPs and Implementation Approach documents
Proposal documents
The consultant will also work closely with the Learning and Documentation Consultant to establish a strong foundation for the assignment by aligning with Mercy Corps teams and defining a clear visual learning approach through the following key steps:
Program Familiarization
Stakeholder Engagement
Development of Documentation Plan
Field Production / Data Collection
Visual Documentation of Program Implementation:
Program activities
Implementation processes
Service delivery quality
Community engagement and accountability
Interviews and Testimonies:
Internal stakeholders
External stakeholders
Community members/beneficiaries
Story Development in the Field
Contextual and Environmental Footage
Technical Standards
Post-Production and Content Development
Photo Processing
Video Editing:
Documentary video (15–20 minutes)
Short thematic videos (1–3 minutes each)
Narrative development
Integration of Learning
Final Deliverables
Final Deliverables Package:
Photo Deliverables:
50–100 edited high-resolution images, fully captioned and categorized
Video Deliverables:
One (1) documentary video (15–20 minutes)
Six (6) to Nine (9) short thematic videos (1–3 minutes each)
Raw Files:
All raw photos and video footage organized by location, date, and activity
Learning Products:
Produce 3–5 high-quality infographic learning briefs. Themes will be jointly reviewed with the Mercy Corps team to ensure alignment with the learning plan.
Documentation:
Signed consent forms for all participants
Metadata and file index
Summary note highlighting key stories and themes captured
Eligibility / Consultant Selection Criteria
The consultant must meet the following minimum qualifications and competencies:
Education:
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics, Communications, or a related field.
Experience:
3–5 years of progressive professional experience in learning documentation, knowledge management, development communication, or research.
Demonstrated experience producing videography, lessons learned products, analytical reports, frameworks, and learning briefs for humanitarian or development programmes.
Proven track record of working with international NGOs, donors, and multi-sectoral programmes, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Prior experience working in Northern Nigeria or similar humanitarian contexts is a strong advantage.
Technical Competencies:
Strong qualitative research and synthesis skills, including desk reviews, KIIs, and FGDs.
Ability to translate complex technical and monitoring data into clear and compelling narratives.
Proven capacity to design and deliver high-quality learning products, including infographics, briefing papers, and narrative reports.
Sound understanding of Gender, Social Inclusion, Conflict Sensitivity, and Do No Harm principles.
Communication and Language Skills:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including programme teams and community actors.
Working knowledge of local languages (e.g., Hausa) is an added advantage.
Professional Attributes:
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Strong organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.
Demonstrated professionalism, confidentiality, and adherence to data protection standards.
Reporting Line:
The Consultant will report directly to the Mercy Corps Nigeria Communication Manager and the Program Performance and Quality Director.
Consultancy Duration:
The consultancy will be implemented over 30 days, from 15 July 2026 to 15 August 2026, working closely with the MEL, Programmes, and Communications teams.