Communications Associate

Volunteering Communications & PR Crisis & Emergency Response

Overview

Support communication strategies and enhance public awareness of UNDP initiatives.

You have:

• At least three years of relevant experience in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Media or another relevant field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Ukrainian.
• Proven experience in creating compelling content, including press releases, feature stories, social media posts, and other promotional materials.
• Proven experience in managing communication projects or campaigns, including the planning, execution, and evaluation phases.
• Demonstrated experience in working with media outlets, managing media inquiries, and securing media coverage.
• Experience in managing social media platforms and digital content strategies.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including team members, media representatives, and external partners.
• Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms, including social media management, basic graphic design software, and content management systems.
• High attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in all communication materials.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to address challenges proactively and develop effective solutions.

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.

UNDP assists the government, civil society and people of Ukraine in advancing democratic policies and practices needed to accelerate progress on sustainable human development. In line with its Country Programme Document 2025-2029, UNDP Ukraine supports the government in addressing national priorities, with specific emphasis on recovery and advancement of reforms, through three programmatic portfolios: 1) fostering democratic governance and inclusive social fabric; 2) promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and recovery; and 3) advancing sustainable environment and energy transformation. The programme has been complemented by the area-based R4 framework, which enhances the effectiveness of recovery, rebuild, and reform efforts at the local level, ensuring resources allocation is based on localized needs, development is community-driven, and delivery is informed by inclusion and participatory principles, thus, advancing decentralization and community recovery. UNDP in Ukraine invites applications from qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of Communications Associate to support the implementation of communication strategies, enhance public awareness of development initiatives, and manage media relations to effectively promote UNDP’s mission and projects across the country as part of the Area-Based Recovery Team within the Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric Portfolio.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Communications Specialist, the Communications Associate will:

• Assist in developing and implementing communication and media plans for the Programme/Project at regional level. • Prepare press releases, media advisories, and feature stories for the UNDP website and social networks on various issues relevant to the Programme’s objectives in both English and Ukrainian. • Act as a liaison with local media, including editors and journalists from key local news outlets, to facilitate reporting on UNDP’s development efforts. • Handle media inquiries and interview requests from local journalists, NGOs, and external partners. • Develop information and briefing notes as requested by UNDP senior management. • Edit and format project reports and promotional materials, ensuring they meet UN communication standards. • Coordinate with production and printing agencies to create audio, video, animation, and print products as requested by the Project/Programme. • Organize press conferences and other media-related events as part of the Programme/Project’s activities. • Update official UNDP in Ukraine social media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn) to highlight Programme/Project achievements. • Regularly update booklets, factsheets, newsletters, and other informational materials for both internal and external audiences. • Prepare background documents and assist in organizing donor and corporate missions, including audio-visual and media coverage of Programme activities and achievements. • Assist in designing and implementing targeted communication campaigns. • Collaborate with relevant units and personnel to help the Programme/Project develop concept notes that include outreach, advocacy, and communication components. • Maintain and update a library of reference materials, such as reports, communication tools, booklets, photographs, and videos of Programme/Project activities. • Prepare media monitoring reports on Programme/Project activities. • Ensure the inclusion of gender equality considerations in communications, promote a safe and non-discriminatory environment, and deliver gender-responsive communications in line with corporate principles. • Perform other duties as assigned by the Programme/Project and/or UNDP management.

• Integrity and professionalism • Communication • Creativity and innovation • Commitment to continuous learning • Teamwork and collaboration • Respect for diversity • Results orientation and accountability

• At least three years of relevant experience in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Media or another relevant field. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Ukrainian, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely. • Proven experience in creating compelling content, including press releases, feature stories, social media posts, and other promotional materials. • Proven experience in managing communication projects or campaigns, including the planning, execution, and evaluation phases. • Demonstrated experience in working with media outlets, managing media inquiries, and securing media coverage. • Experience in managing social media platforms and digital content strategies. • Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. • Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including team members, media representatives, and external partners. • Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms, including social media management, basic graphic design software, and content management systems. • High attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in all communication materials. • Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work effectively in a fast-paced environment. • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to address challenges proactively and develop effective solutions.

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. • USD 101.78 Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment) for each month served, paid on completion of contract

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.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org