Media Relations and Media Monitoring Advisor

Volunteering Communications & PR Crisis & Emergency Response

Overview

Support media relations and monitoring activities for UNDP in Ukraine.

You have:

• At least 7 years of strong professional background in the field of communications.
• Proven track record of relevant professional experience in media relations or media monitoring.
• At least 1 year of experience in cooperation with the Government of Ukraine and/or international donor programmes, proven by CV.
• Demonstrated experience working in a public relations agency, proven by CV.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Knowledge of sustainable energy and environmental issues.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills.
• Ability to work on complex issues in changing environment.

Contract

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

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a UN agency that works in about 170 countries and territories, helping eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. In Ukraine, UNDP operates under the Country Programme Document for 2025–2029 through three programme priorities: Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric; Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Recovery and Growth; and Sustainable Environment and Energy Transformation.

Within this framework, the project “Inclusive Recovery Support for Resilience and Human Security in Ukraine,” funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP, aims to contribute to Ukraine’s inclusive and sustainable recovery by strengthening institutional capacities, enhancing information resilience, supporting democratic governance, and protecting human security—particularly in the context of ongoing war-related challenges. Under this project, UNDP will support the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine (hereinafter – “the Ministry”) to enhance its communications. In this regard, UNDP in Ukraine is seeking a Media Relations & Media Monitoring Advisor to support building and maintaining relationships with national and international journalists; develop and pitch story ideas; coordinate interviews, briefings and media days; prepare press materials and talking points; and maintain an up-to-date media database. In parallel, the Advisor will establish daily media and social listening (UA/EN) deliver monthly analytical reports and KPI dashboards with actionable recommendations.

This Advisor will contribute to the broader recovery agenda by supporting policy reforms, interinstitutional coordination, and legal compliance that underpin resilience and democratic governance in Ukraine.

To support the Ministry in establishing and operating a professional media relations and media monitoring function.

The advisor is expected to support the fulfilment of the following activities:

• Maintain media relations: update media database, handle media inquiries, draft media pitches, and arrange interviews/briefings. • Establish and maintain relationships with journalists and outlets; coordinate media outreach. • Track campaign/event performance (baseline vs target KPIs) and submit a short post-campaign evaluation with lessons learned and optimization recommendations. • Support outreach through additional communication channels (radio, YouTube, digital TV), ensuring at least one story or release per month. • Support organisation of media-related events (briefings, media breakfasts, off-the-record sessions), including invitations, materials, and logistics. • Monitor media publications daily and produce monthly analytical reports with recommendations. • Perform other communication-related duties as assigned by the supervisor and UNDP Ukraine leadership.

Corporate competencies: • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; • Treats all people fairly without favoritism; • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Technical Competencies: • Ability to work under the deadline and deliver within the schedule; • Ability to work on complex issues in changing environment; • Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations; • Strong communication, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills; • Knowledge of sustainable energy and environmental issues; • Strong communication skills (written and oral).

• At least 7 years of strong professional background in the field of communications. • Proven track record of relevant professional experience in media relations or mediamonitoring • At least 1 year of experience in cooperation with the Government of Ukraine (GoU) and/or international donor programmes, proven by CV. • Demonstrated experience working in a public relations agency, proven by CV. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness.

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

Entitlements of National UN Volunteer (Expert)

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 2076 (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 of assignment.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org