Communications and External Relations Associate (Odesa)

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Since the start of the large-scale military invasion of Russia to Ukraine in February 2022, UNFPA implements a comprehensive nationwide Humanitarian Response Plan to provide lifesaving GBV and SRH services to women and girls across Ukraine. Through its Gender-Based Violence in Emergency (GBViE) Programme, UNFPA contributes to improving protection and security of women and girls, and thus, their willingness to participate in community life, including in war-affected communities. Women’s engagement and empowerment in community dialogue, including in displacement, is essential for laying a strong foundation for recovery and sustainable peace and development.

UNFPA is seeking highly motivated candidates that share our passion of making a sound contribution to creating a Ukrainian society free from gender-based violence. We need strong professionals who are innovative, committed to excellence and keen to transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results

Under the supervision of the Crisis Communications Specialist and Emergency Response Coordinator, the Communications and External Relations Associate will support in collecting multimedia content from the field, advise on gaps in response, and advocate for the humanitarian operations in the Southern Oblasts.

More specifically, the Communications and External Relations Associate will perform the following key functions:

Assist Communications Specialist and the Emergency Response Coordinator in:

• Creating compelling content, including articles, social media posts, and multimedia materials, to raise awareness and support for UNFPA's initiatives.
• Rapidly responding to the Kyiv office with communication materials.
• Contributing original high-quality photo and video assets to UNFPA’s multimedia bank.
• Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to identify storytelling opportunities and develop impactful narratives that highlight UNFPA's work.
• Monitoring local media coverage and public discourse related to UNFPA’s mandate and providing timely analysis and recommendations to enhance UNFPA's communication efforts.
• Liaising with partners and operational organizations on GBV and SRH response in close consultation with the GBV Field Coordinator, SRH Analyst, and SRH Specialist.
• Liaising with Implementing Partners operating in relevant Oblasts, in consultation with IP Focal Points.
• Supporting in arranging meetings, roundtables, seminars, and other events related to the work of communication and external relations for the Emergency Response Team in the South, taking notes, and producing related reports.
• Following up on the implementation of assigned tasks (including meetings, reporting, and others).
• Assisting with written and oral translations and interpretation when needed.
• Performing other tasks as assigned.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Professionalism Integrity Teamwork and respect for diversity Commitment to continuous learning Communication Flexibility

communications, journalism, public relations, international relations, or a related field.

• Experience in the national and/or international level in communications, media, or social media, or other relevant programmes; Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.
• Experience with writing for general public audiences, photography and graphic design, with the ability to create designs for digital media purposes in open-source graphic design programmes, such as Canva and Adobe CC. Advanced digital content creation skills and experience in short- video production is an asset.
• Experience creating shareable, compelling, visual contents blending video, photo, and effects to increase engagement and growth, including short videos and stories.
• Experience of working in/with the area of social protection, and humanitarian response.
• Experience in GBV and in gender mainstreaming will be a strong asset.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Ability to swiftly create high-quality content and posts under tight deadlines, especially in emergency preparation scenarios.
• Experience working broadcast journalism or similar experience an advantage.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.

As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.

Entitlements of National UN Volunteer

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

Allowances: • Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1587 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”. • USD 400 entry lump sum, one-time payment.

Medical and life insurance: • Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the Commencement of Service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract date. • Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements: • Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment. • Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. • Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. • Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.