Communications Officer

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.

On 10 November 2022, UNDP launched its new Repair of infrastructure in war-affected regions of Ukraine Project (ECHO4SCHOOLS-UA: Repair/Retrofitting of schools in war-affected regions). With an overall duration of one year, the project is made possible due to the support of the European Union and is carried out in close collaboration with the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, regional administrations, local communities and educational facilities (schools and kindergartens) and other government stakeholders.

Nowadays, Ukraine is facing its most serious challenges since achieving independence in 1991. The ongoing war resulting from the unprovoked Russian military aggression has already created significant loss of lives, unprecedented displacement, internally and towards neighboring countries, and devastating destruction of infrastructure.

Ukraine has faced the losses of many people’s lives and devastative destruction of infrastructures and economic bases. Currently, more than 50% of the energy infrastructure damaged, causing the massive disruption of energy supply nationwide with millions of people experiencing power outages and challenges in heating. Extensive scale of destruction of infrastructure, rehabilitating or constructing infrastructures and installing equipment with necessary supply of the materials is urgently required to restore or maintain lifeline and key basic services, followed by removal or mines and explosives as well as debris.

The incumbent Project aims to support the national government and local municipalities in reducing social and economic losses, and to accelerate the recovery process through educational premises’ repairs via light and medium repair works at war-damaged school facilities and equipment. The Government of Ukraine has completed a Damage Needs Assessment (DNA) and has shared a priority list of damaged schools in several municipalities (including Zhytomyr, Zakarpattia, Kirovograd, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil’, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv).

UNDP Ukraine received a list of school facilities from the “Ukraine Fast Recovery Plan – Schools” with damage rate equal to or below 60% located in areas where UNDP has already a presence on the ground and ongoing activities. The targeted schools are spread over nine municipalities: Zhytomyr, Zakarpattia, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Dnipro, Cherkasy and L’viv regions. Light and medium damage repairs include windows, roofs, sanitary facilities, classroom equipment, canteens, insulation, solar panels, bomb shelters, sirens, and heating system repairs (as per European Union DG ECHO instructions).

Also, as supported by the Government of Germany within the initiative to contribute to achievement of key results under pillar 3 of the UNDP Resilience Building and Recovery Programme for Ukraine (i.e. for Emergency infrastructure works to support Internal Displaced People management and public service provision), the recovery activities within this Project shall additionally cover 12 more schools in 5 municipalities of Ukraine (Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Rivne, Sumy and Chernihiv), which itself would then enable over 3,000 students to get back to their schools.

ECHO4SCHOOLS-UA project (hereinafter – “the Project”) aims to improve the learning environment and educational opportunities for students in war-affected areas in Ukraine through light repairs. As part of this initiative, there is a need for a Communications Officer who shall ensure the development and effective implementation of the Project’s communication and outreach strategy under the guidance of Project Manager and in close coordination and collaboration with the Inclusive Development, Recovery and Peacebuilding portfolio (hereinafter – “IDRPB”) and UNDP Country Office (CO) Communications team.

Communications Officer shall be responsible for the effective implementation of communication activities as part of UNDP IDRPB and the Project, consistent with UNDP rules and regulations, as well as donors' requirements, and contributing to the achievement of UNDP CO programmatic goals. The successful candidate will promote UNDP's mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to discriminatory and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of Project Manager of the Project and overall guidance of IDRPB Team Leader, Communications Officer will: A. Ensure development and effective implementation of the Project’s communication and outreach strategies: • Support the Project’s communications related activates, including designing and executing relevant communication strategies and plans across multiple channels at national and regional levels, promoting civic education and community awareness where appropriate to the supported initiatives; • Contribute to the preparation of communication products (both in English and in Ukrainian language) including but not limited to press announces, press releases, social media, and other publications, success stories, talking points, knowledge materials and other products on various issues relevant to the Project’s objectives; • Ensure development and publication of the Project’s promotion and information materials such as leaflets, brochures, newsletters, and ensure quality and timeliness of their production; organize interviews for various mass media as part of the Project’s activities;
• Organize the press-tours, press-conferences, information meetings and other media-related events as part of the Project activities; • Substantially contribute to the preparation of donor reports; perform editing of project related reports and promotion materials and assure that project related promotion materials meet UN/UNDP and donors' communications requirements; • Serve as a focal person and liaise with relevant external partners, and communications personnel of other projects and UNDP Country Office; convey Project’s news for publication on UNDP website and social media;
• Coordinate the work of relevant consultants contracted within the Project’s for communications and/or monitoring related assignments; coordinate the cooperation with the contractor(-s) that provide services of organization and implementation of communication campaign(-s) to UNDP (reg. IDRPB related activities); coordinate the production and the printing agencies involved in creation of audio/video/animation/print products upon request of the programme/projects under implementation. B. Contribute to the corporate advocacy and outreach efforts in collaboration with UNDP CO Communication Unit: • Contribute to promoting and disseminating the UNDP corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications; • Help to organize and conduct public information campaigns on issues including UNDP activities, Sustainable Development Goals, and UN Reform; • Provide inputs to increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP's work in the country or practice area through regular media contacts and provision of newsworthy information to the national public and, where possible, donors; • Provide support to the organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, etc; • Ensure effective responses to inquiries for information materials related to the supported projects. C. Facilitate knowledge building and management: • Identify and synthesize the best practices and lessons learned as directly linked to programme goals and activities; • Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications’ repositories; • Participate in the trainings for the project personnel for further professional growth through active learning.

Communications Officer may be requested to provide the above services to other projects within IDRPB portfolio, as required based on operational needs and agreed with IDRPB Team Leader.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

the field of public relations and/or communications or related fields. •Experience of work at similar and relevant positions in international organizations, programmes/projects would be considered as an asset; •Experience in presenting in public forums, including high-level national stakeholders would be considered as an asset; •Experience with blogging, social media, newsletter design, photography or video production would be considered as an asset; •Experience in cooperation with the government institutions and/or donors would be considered as an asset. •Strong communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to build trust; •Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
•Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; demonstrated ability to work effectively in team; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; •Good overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.).
•Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

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

Entitlements of National UN Volunteer Specialist (Kyiv Duty Station)

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

Allowances: • Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) 1587 USD (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.

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