Communications Officer – Ukraine Response

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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is responding to the Ukraine emergency since the escalation of armed conflict across the country in February 2022. The attacks set off a wave of displacement internally and into the countries along Ukraine’s western borders. Mercy Corps response program will focus on multi-purpose cash intervention and other key sectors, particularly food security, livelihoods, NFIs, and protection. Mercy Corps is also supporting local NGOs and other civil society actors currently supporting displaced populations, as well as those in Ukraine sheltering in place.

General Position Summary

The Communications Officer will act as a focal point for all communications needs and opportunities in the Ukraine crisis response, inclusive of Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Moldova, working closely with response leadership and the Mercy Corps European and Global media and communications teams, as well as shepherding content for key internal communications (such as Workplace postings, internal factsheets etc.).

The role will encompass content development and editorial oversight, both information gathering, narrative development, fact checking and visual representation, working across a range of products (e.g. reports, briefings, messaging, donor updates etc.) that are informative, timely and up-to-date. The role will manage and ensure accuracy of program content that informs internal and external communications and donor reporting directed at key audiences, and support management of media inquiries, working in close partnership with the US and Europe-based global communications team. In addition to interacting with the media and communications team, other key internal stakeholders will include Resource Development teams in Europe and the U.S., as well as the Policy and Advocacy team.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Provide information sourcing, fact checking and editing services on all written or multi-media products being produced about Mercy Corps’ response to the conflict in Ukraine.

• Lead on the editorial design and production of communication and visibility materials.

• Support with the graphics, maps and layout of products. Liaise with the Mercy Corps branding team for consistency in positioning.

• Assist in identifying communications and media strategies to engage key target audiences inside Ukraine and the region.

• Create and maintain calendar for editing and communication activities, events and campaigns.

• Serve as the key focal point for sourcing and fact checking information to be used in private donor reports. Contribute to the writing of program reports as needed.

• Coordinate with the global communications team on stories, photos, media products, messaging or other content so that their objectives are met in a timely and professional way.

• Support on the fulfillment of media inquiries, in partnership with the global communications team that manages all top tier media requests.

• Maintain a filing system of photographs, success stories and other programmatic materials. Organize these for donor reports and other purposes.

• Liaise with the Resource Development teams on donor concepts and information needs..

• Media scanning and monitoring in Ukrainian. S/he will support the team in managing a response to critical security incidents or situations which require external or internal messaging.

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Assist in developing content and messaging that supports Mercy Corps’ visibility goals for key audiences

• Develop and organize a strategy to help socialize humanitarian needs and Mercy Corps activities or added value in order to secure resources or reinforce advocacy positions.

• Develop an international communications plan that keeps Mercy Corps teams and stakeholders informed and up-to-date on key issues affecting the mission.

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.

• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

• Build and maintain networks across international and domestic media in the crisis response area, in coordination with the media and communications team.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by the Response Senior Leadership Team and its Risk Management Committee.

• Support the risk management works with useful contributions to existing policies such as Visibility Guidelines, Social Media Guidelines.

• Be aware and mindful or Mercy Corps position on impartiality within the conflict. Coordinate with the security team on reinforcing the agency principles to all team members.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Response Director or Deputy Response Director

Works Directly With: Program Team, MEL Team, Security Team, Global Communications Team, Resource Development team, Policy and Advocacy team.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Master’s degree preferred.

• 3 years minimum of communications experience

• Experience using Adobe InDesign

• Experience using mapping software and graphic design

• Excellent writing and analytical experience

• Ability to develop high caliber writing and utilize online research tools quickly

• Demonstrated solid writing, editing and researching skills

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced work environment

• Solid computer skills: must be able to work effectively and accurately with Microsoft Word, Google docs, Excel, email and internet applications, as well as mapping skills using graphic and editing applications

• Flexible work attitude: able to work productively in a team environment as well as independently

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Ukrainian or Russian language skills are a plus.

• Preference for experience with USAID-funded programs.

Success Factors

The successful Communications Officer should be flexible, patient, creative, and persistent. They will work both collaboratively with other members of the team as well as independently on self-originated products as required by an ongoing context. They will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Krakow, Poland. Accommodations are being defined and access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc is in place but may change depending on the situation. This position requires travel to surrounding countries, as security permits. Given the emergency context, this position requires exceptional work schedules, including evenings and weekends.

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 & 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 & 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 Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.**