Trainee – Communication and Knowledge Management

Job Description

POSITION: Trainee – Communication and Knowledge Management

WORKSITE LOCATION: Kathmandu with field visits as and when required.

LENGTH OF TRAINEESHIP: Six Months

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 Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, girl’s education, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Communication and Knowledge Management Trainee position is a structured learning opportunity designed to build professional skills in strategic communication, content development, and organizational learning. This role offers dual benefit: the trainee gains hands-on experience in humanitarian and development programs, while the organization benefits from the trainee’s proactive support in documenting and disseminating impact. While mentorship is provided, the trainee is expected to take initiative, manage their learning journey effectively, and maintain full accountability for the tasks and products they oversee.

LEARNING AREAS

Strategic Communication and Content Development:

• Skill Building: Gain practical experience in drafting, editing, and formatting professional communication materials, including factsheets, success stories, briefs, and social media content.

• Field Engagement: Learn to capture high-quality field narratives, photographs, and audio-visual materials by collaborating with program and MEL teams during field visits.

• Brand Stewardship: Develop an eye for detail by ensuring all materials align with global branding and communication guidelines.

• Event Documentation: Learn to document and disseminate key takeaways from project events and workshops to enhance organizational visibility.

Knowledge Management

• Learning Processes: Develop skills in identifying and documenting program “lessons learned,” best practices, and case studies to improve future programming.

• Information Architecture: Gain experience in organizing and managing digital knowledge repositories (shared drives/databases) to ensure information is accessible and user-friendly.

• Product Translation: Learn to translate technical data into tailored knowledge products, such as learning notes and presentations, for diverse audiences.

• Institutional Positioning: Support the team in understanding how strategic communication and documentation contribute to the organization’s influence and positioning in the sector.

Coordination and Learning

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Build professional collaboration skills by working across the Program, MEL, and Operations teams to gather and share information.

• Facilitation & Learning: Support the organization of internal learning events and workshops, gaining experience in facilitation and meeting documentation.

• Evidence-Based Influencing: Learn how to use research and field evidence to support advocacy and influencing efforts.

• Ownership & Delivery: While this is a learning role, the trainees are expected to proactively manage their assigned tasks, meeting deadlines and ensuring the high quality of their outputs

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports Directly to: Program Quality and Partnership Manager (PQPM)

Works Directly with: Program Team members and Country MEL focal person

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Strong willingness to learn and professional growth.

• Fresh graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in communication, development studies, or any other relevant fields within the last two

• Prior experience of academic research is desirable.

• Good communication skills and interpersonal skills.

• Good written and spoken English and Nepali

• Basic computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)

• Use of AI and social media, knowledge of media interactions, photography, and webpage designing are advantageous.

• Basic understanding of livelihood, food security, climate change, DRR, resilience and humanitarian actions is an advantage.

• Attention to detail and organizational skills.

SUCCESS FACTORS

Success in this role is defined by a proactive learning mindset and the initiative to turn on-the-job opportunities into professional growth in dynamic development and humanitarian context. A successful trainee will transition from assisted tasks to the independent management of assignments, bringing creative ideas to knowledge management and communication while remaining strictly accountable for the quality of their results. By demonstrating resilience, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to planned professional development, you will help spark innovative ways to share information and contribute to the overall success of high-quality, collaborative programming.

The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short-term assignment to a field posting. 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 development.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND 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 AND 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 Misconduct Disclosure Scheme — SCHR. 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 must complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and annually.

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 ([email protected]).