Crisis Communication Specialist, P3, Kyiv, Ukraine (Temporary Appointment)

The Position:

The war in Ukraine has triggered one of the fastest-growing refugee emergencies in history, and the largest since World War II in Europe. The escalation of the conflict has caused civilian casualties, destruction of civilian infrastructures, including health facilities and maternities, disruption of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and supply chain, and led to an increase in Gender Based Violence (GBV) including Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).

Under the direct supervision of the Country Representative, the Communication Specialist will work in close collaboration with the regional and country office staff, implementing partners, and other agencies to implement the communications plan by supporting and delivering a range of communications activities, providing research and analysis, and prioritizing effectively. The Specialist is responsible to ensure that UNFPA can deliver operational excellence in the area of communications in Ukraine.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of UNFPA Country Representative, the incumbent will to deliver a range of communications activities, providing research and analysis, and prioritizing effectively. The Specialist is responsible to ensure that UNFPA can deliver operational excellence in the area of communications in Ukraine.

You would be responsible for:

Specialist is responsible to ensure that UNFPA can deliver operational excellence in the area of communications in Ukraine.

• Develop Communications Plan: Lead on developing the communications plan to guide UNFPA’s communication activities during crises.
• Public Information Support: Provide public information support to the Country Office, including preparing written materials, talking points, articles, and press releases.
• Collaboration and Synergies: Establish close working relationships with the UN Country Team and communication officers to identify communication synergies.
• Representation and Engagement: Represent UNFPA in humanitarian-related communications meetings. Engage with electronic and print media sources.
• Content Creation: Provide timely and field-driven content, including print and video stories, and social media for UNFPA’s regional and global websites and Voices.
• Media Outreach: Identify UNFPA stories of interest and proactively pitch them to national, regional, and global press corps.
• Reporting: Draft and/or contribute to regular UNFPA snapshots, regional SitReps, and OCHA SitReps in line with required formats.
• UN Communications Group Focal Point: Serve as the UNFPA focal point for the UN Communications Group.
• Resource Mobilization: Assist with resource mobilization activities related to communications.
• Surge Team Support: Support the surge team with technical screening of roster members, building the capacity of the surge roster, and effective deployment of short-term surge experts.
• Capacity Strengthening: Support capacity strengthening of UNFPA staff on all communication aspects. Provide advice and guidance to ensure activities meet desired standards of consistency, quality, and impact, including the design and review of training materials.
• Supervision and Coaching: Supervise and coach a National Staff Communication assistant. Act as a point of referral and support their development to take over the position of Communication Officer.
• Additional Duties: Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA Country Office leadership.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications, Political science, Advertising, or another relevant field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in communications or journalism.
• At least 3 years of field experience in humanitarian and emergency settings.
• UN common system knowledge and experience is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in English, working knowledge of other languages especially Ukrainian or Russian is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual analysis in the provision of technical expertise – developing innovative and creative approaches.
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners, and building strategic alliances and partnerships – identifying and building partnerships.
• Job knowledge and expertise – in depth knowledge of their discipline

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.