Communications and External Relations Associate

Mission and objectives

The UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, promotes gender equality, reproductive health, youth empowerment. The organization was created in 1969, the same year the UN General Assembly declared "parents have the exclusive right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children". Together with partners, UNFPA works in 150 countries, and in Ukraine since 1997. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA in Ukraine works for:

• creating conditions in which every young person can fulfil the potential, lead a healthy lifestyle, know their reproductive rights and take an active social life;

• conducting sexual and reproductive health campaigns to improve access to health and care services and improve its quality, especially for young people;

• combating gender stereotypes in society (through the media, compulsory education for civil servants on gender mainstreaming, the improvement of national gender policy and anti-discrimination expertise of school textbooks);

• providing information and services to gender-based violence survivors through the creation of crisis centres, supporting the work of mobile teams of psycho-social and support, providing expert support and raising general awareness in society.

Context

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 supervision of the Head of Communications and the Emergency Response Coordinator, the Communications and External Relations Associate will work in close collaboration with regional and country office staff, implementing partners, and other agencies to support in the development of communications activities, provide knowledge sharing, coordinate in area inter-agency groups, and support field and IP coordination.

Task description

• Under the supervision of the Head of Communications (Crisis Communications Specialist), and working in close collaboration with, and under the guidance of, the Emergency Response Coordinator, the Communications and External Relations Associate will support the collection of multimedia content from the field, provide recommendations on response gaps, and contribute to advocacy efforts for humanitarian operations in the Southern Oblasts. Specifically, the Communications and External Relations Associate will be responsible for the following key functions: Assist Crisis Communications Specialist and the Emergency Response Coordinator in:

• Creating compelling content, including articles, social media posts, and multimedia materials, toraise awareness and support for UNFPA's initiatives.

• Rapidly responding to Kyiv office with communications materials during a crisis.

• Contributing original high-quality photo and video assets to UNFPA's multimedia bank.

• Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to identify storytelling opportunitiesand develop impactful narratives that highlight UNFPA's work.

• Monitoring local and media coverage and public discourse related to UNFPA's mandate andprovide timely analysis and recommendations to enhance UNFPA's communication efforts.

• Liaising with partners and operational organizations on GBV and SRH response in closeconsultation with the GBV Programme Manager and SRH Specialist;

• Liaising with Implementing Partners operating in relevant Oblasts, in consultation with IP FocalPoints;

• Supporting in arranging meetings, roundtables, seminars and other events related to the work ofcommunication and external relations in for the Emergency Response Team in the South, takingnotes, and producing related reports;

• Following-up on the implementation of assigned tasks (including meetings, reporting and others);

• Assisting with written and oral translations and interpretation when needed;

• Performing other tasks as assigned;

Qualification Requirements:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required Ukrainian, Level: Fluent, Required

• 3 years of experience in the national and/or international level in communications, media, or social media, or other relevant programmes; Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset;

• Experience with writing for general public audiences, photography and graphic design, with the ability to create designs for digital media purposes in open source graphic design programmes, such as Canva and Adobe CC. Advanced digital content creation skills and experience in short-video production is an asset.

• Experience creating shareable, compelling, visual contents blending video, photo, and effects to increase engagement and growth, including short videos and stories.

• Experience of working in/with the area of social protection, and humanitarian response.

• Experience in GBV and in gender mainstreaming will be a strong asset;

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;

• Ability to swiftly create high-quality content and posts under tight deadlines, especially in emergency preparation scenarios.

• Experience working broadcast journalism or similar experience an advantage.

• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;

• 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 MS Office applications (Excel, Word,etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

• Sound security awareness;

• Have affinity with or interest in communications, innovation, partnership volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

National UN Volunteer Specialist Entitlements:

• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA)
  : USD 1,587/month (in UAH), includes hardship differential.
• Entry Lump Sum
  : USD 400 (one-time).
• Medical and Life Insurance
  :
• UNV medical insurance (for volunteer and eligible dependents).
• Life insurance coverage during the assignment.
• Leave Entitlements
  :
• Annual Leave: 2.5 days/month.
• Learning Leave: Up to 10 days/year.
• Sick Leave: 30 days certified + 7 days uncertified/year.
• Assignment Duration
  : 6 months full-time, with possibility of extension based on performance and funding.