Part-time Ukrainian-speaking communications consultant: human rights and international humanitarian law

Terms of Reference

Part-time consultancy to support advocacy and awareness raising within the framework of the project “DOCUMENTING INTERNATIONAL CRIMES COMMITTED BY RUSSIA’S ARMED FORCES FOLLOWING THE RE-INVASION OF UKRAINE”

“Part-time Ukrainian-speaking communications consultant: human rights and international humanitarian law”

Background

During the full-scale invasion of Ukraine following President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a “special military operation”, evidence of numerous atrocities committed by members of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and those of entities under its control, has emerged. This includes cases of murder, torture and SGBV on the territory temporarily occupied by Russia, but also indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population and the destruction of civilian objects that continue to this day.

Over the past months, non-governmental organizations, international institutions and States have stepped up in their efforts to denounce the crimes committed by Russian soldiers, and to ensure accountability. FIDH and its member and partner organisations – the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG), the Centre for Civil Liberties (CCL), and the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union (UHHRU) – have been supporting these efforts. In particular, the initiative “Breaking the Vicious Circle of Russia’s Impunity for Its War Crimes” (also known as “Tribunal for Putin” or “T4P”) aims to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes committed during the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and to further the access to truth and reparations for victims.

In the coming months FIDH, in collaboration with other local NGOs, plan to continue their advocacy and awareness raising efforts, emphasizing the need to ensure the respect of international humanitarian law and human rights law by all parties to the armed conflict, and to fight impunity for international crimes committed by soldiers of Russia’s Armed Forces, and those of related entities, in Ukraine.

To further its awareness raising activities, FIDH is looking to engage a part-time Ukrainian and/or Russian speaking Communications Consultant within its Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk in order to create content and adapt it to different target audience, to serve as a liaison within different units of the FIDH Secretariat and between FIDH and its partners, as well as journalists and other representatives of the media, and to perform other tasks as requested by the EECA Desk.

Framework

Within the framework of the project “DOCUMENTING INTERNATIONAL CRIMES COMMITTED BY RUSSIA’S ARMED FORCES FOLLOWING THE RE-INVASION OF UKRAINE”, FIDH will:

1. Conduct advocacy and fact-finding missions to Ukraine and/or neighbouring countries to document cases of forced displacement and SGBV,
2. Following the missions, publish two thematic reports on forced displacement and SGBV, which will be translated into seven languages;
3. Produce video content on the two thematic reports it will produce;
4. Publish monthly position papers on the situation in Ukraine (in English);
5. Produce a series of bi-weekly videos explaining the violations of international humanitarian law by Russia, which will be translated into, or subtitled, into several languages;
6. Disseminate the content on various social media channels and via traditional media outlets;
7. Organize a thematic Side Event at the FIDH Congress in October 2022.

These activities will be facilitated by a part-time Communications Consultant.

Indicative consultancy timeline and outputs

Working in concert with the FIDH Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk, the FIDH Communications Department, the FIDH International Justice Desk, FIDH Accounting and Finance Department, FIDH Fundraising Department, and local partners in Ukraine, the Communications Consultant will:

1. Ensure, as a primary liaison, proper coordination and communication between the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk, the Communications Department, Ukrainian partner organizations and other entities, as directed by the EECA Desk;
2. Conduct a mapping of relevant social media channels, influencers and media platforms in order to facilitate the distribution of content created during the course of this project (ongoing), and assist in the identification of consultant(s) for activities related to report launch;
3. Engage with relevant stakeholders, including journalists, bloggers and FIDH partner NGOs, and contribute to building partnerships with key stakeholders to help disseminate outreach materials produced as part of the project;
4. Facilitate the production of content, including a bi-weekly video series on IHL violations in Ukraine (approximately 30-40 videos over the period of consultancy – monthly output of two videos);
5. Facilitate the production of monthly position papers in English (approximately 18 documents over the period of consultancy, one per month);
6. Ensure and coordinate the translation of the produced material into seven languages (English, French, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Italian and Spanish), as well as the formalization of contractual agreements with such translators and ensuring timely payments, including through the creation of a tracking system ;
7. Assist with the dissemination of content on a dedicated platform or platforms;
8. Ensure the proper coordination of the project’s communication activities among the “Tribunal for Putin” initiative members;
9. Track the target indicators and provide narrative reporting to the project where it concerns the communication activities.

Deliverables:

1 Stakeholder / Influencer Mapping Document (November 2022, subject to adjustment depending on the hiring date)

1 Tracking Table of Translation Services Deliverables and Payments

36 Bi-weekly videos – IHL Updates (monthly, number of videos subject to adjustment depending on the hiring date)

18 Monthly situation notes / briefings on Ukraine (monthly, number of videos subject to adjustment depending on the hiring date)

Profile and expertise required for this assignment

• Proven knowledge of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as demonstrated by relevant studies and experience (higher education degree in international law, with emphasis on human rights and/or international humanitarian law preferred).
• At least 2 years of professional experience in a similar position, preferably in an NGO or a communications agency.
• In-depth understanding of the human rights, political, social, economic and humanitarian context in Ukraine.
• Proven experience in the field of communication, journalism or advocacy, enabling the candidate to identify and map relevant stakeholders and social media channels, and to efficiently facilitate the production and dissemination of outreach materials.
• Proven experience in project coordination and administration. Experience in coordinating translations is desirable.
• Excellent writing skills and attention to details. Experience in conducting research and writing reports on human rights and/or international humanitarian law issues is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian languages required. Fluency in Russian is an asset.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, and proactively communicate.

Duration of consultancy

From 1 October 2022, to 31 April 2023 (18 months).

Terms and conditions of employment

Consultancy contract: gross salary of1,500 EUR per month for a duration of 18 months (part-time position at 50%).

Start date

1 October 2022 or sooner

Recruitment timeline :

11 September 2022: Deadline for applications. FIDH reserves the right to close the recruitment process before the deadline for applications upon identification of a suitable candidate.

13 September 2022: Shortlisted candidates contacted

18 September 2022: Deadline for written assignment

21-23 September 2022: Interviews

30 September 2022: Job offer made

1 October 2022: Job starts