UNDP Jobs - 64237- Communication Associate, SC (Rapid Response to Soc

Communication Associate, SC (Rapid Response to Social and Economic issues of Internally Displaced People in Ukraine)

Location :

Kramatorsk, UKRAINE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Mar-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months with possible extension

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The protracted armed conflict in eastern Ukraine has led to adverse living conditions of both people who are living in and fleeing from conflict-affected areas. Consequences of the armed conflict in the eastern Ukraine and illegal annexation of Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC) in March 2014 forced more than two million people to flee from their hometowns to safer regions of Ukraine and neighboring countries. Persons displaced from the armed conflict areas and the Crimea include ethnic Ukrainians, Russians, Crimean Tatars, and Roma, as well as refugees and asylum seekers from other countries. As of 15 February 2016 the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine has registered 1,725,893 internally displaced people (IDP) across the country.

The armed conflict not only caused causalities and displacement of people but also destroyed major social and economic infrastructures such as roads, electricity and water supply systems, supply chains of goods, health services, residential buildings etc. The Government damage assessment team has estimated the reconstruction cost of those destroyed infrastructures is about UAH 6.6 bln (only on the government controlled areas).

The IDPs are scattered all over the country with high concentration in the neighboring oblasts of Donbas region, and the Government controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Among the IDPs, highest numbers are women and children (women-35%, and children-34%), while men constitute about 20 percent, and elderly and disabled people are about 11%. The IDPs are living either with relatives/friends, or in rented houses or in Collective Centers[1].

Due to massive influx of IDPs, the existing local social and economic infrastructures in host oblasts are overburdened to meet the needs of IDPs and host communities as well as local governments lack capacity to address IDPs’ social and economic problems. In addition, unemployment and lack of access to social services (such as healthcare, legal and psychological, etc) causes hardship to IDPs.

To address and tackle the problems of IDPs UNDP is implementing the Project ‘Rapid Response to Social and Economic issues of IDPs in Ukraine’, funded by the Government of Japan. The project areas include Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Zaparozhia, Odesa, Kyiv region and the Government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The overall objective of the Project is to strengthen the coping mechanisms for improving livelihoods of the IDPs in their new locations and, where appropriate, to support reintegration into their home locations. The project aims to achieving this objective by: (i) enhancing capacity of the government for efficient coordination, planning and management of activities to create income generation and employment opportunities to IDPs, (ii) improving livelihoods of IDPs through supporting entrepreneurship development and employment generation, and (iii) promoting durable integration/reintegration and social cohesion in the society.

To ensure the project activities and results are regularly monitored and communicated to wider audiences, UNDP invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of Communication Associate.

[1]Collective Centers are housing facilities (hostels, dormitories, hotels etc), where 20 or more IDPs are accommodated.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Communication Associate will be responsible for developing and implementing Project communication strategies and maintaining public relations with various stakeholders and partners. Specifically, s/he will perform the following key tasks:

Develop and implement Project’s Communication Strategies at national and regional levels;
Review press and publications for articles of interest to project and circulate them to project staff;
Serve as a focal person and liaise with communication staff of other projects and UNDP Country Office;
Convey project news for publication at the UNDP website;
Develop a newsletter covering major Project’s activities and accomplishments and disseminate among partners and stakeholders on monthly basis;
Ensure development and publication of the project promotion and information materials such as leaflets, brochures, and ensure quality and timely of their production;
Develop information notes and brief on request by UNDP senior management and/or UNDP regional headquarter;
Perform editing of project reports and promotion materials and assure that project promotion materials meet UN communications requirements;
Ensure wide and target distribution of project reports and information materials produced;
Assure that project information is kept updated on SharePoint and UNDP web-site;
Prepare project related correspondence, maintain contacts with governmental and non-governmental institutions, local authorities, NGOs, academia, etc;
Facilitate project related training/learning activities;
Prepare articles, success stories, best practices of the project, and talking points on various issues relevant to the Project objectives;
Organize interviews for various Mass Media as part of the Project activities;
Coordinate the work of production and printing agencies involved in creation of audio/video/animation/print products on the request of the Project;
Organize the press-clubs, press-tours, press-conferences, conferences and other Media related events as part of the Project activities;
Prepare press-announces and press-releases on the activities of the Project in both English and Ukrainian languages for distribution to Mass Media;
Update official UNDP Ukraine Facebook page to ensure dissemination of the Project achievements;
Perform other duties as may be assigned by the project and/or UNDP management.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

Communication Strategies are fully and timely implemented at the national and regional levels;
Project results are regularly updated in UNDP website and UNDP Facebook page.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

Communication annual work plan is fully and timely implemented;
Communication funds delivery reached 100%;
Communication activities are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP norms and

Competencies

Good interpersonal communication skills;
Excellent networking and communication skills;
High level of creativity and excellent writing skills;
Ability to work effectively as part of a team, good facilitation skills;
Ability to use computers and office software packages.

Required Skills and Experience

University Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences, Linguistics, or other relevant area;
At least 3 years of experience in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or other relevant sphere;
Extensive contacts within mass media outlets;
Extensive experience of cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organizations;
Fluency in Ukrainian, Russian and English is required.

Application Instructions:

Click on the "Apply now" button.
Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in or paste your Resume into the last box.
Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11). When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors.
Without the completed and signed P11 your application will not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at link . Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are available when contacted.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 27 MARCH 2016

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.