Outreach & Communications Associate, NPSA-7, DS-Kyiv, National position

Northern Ukraine has approximately 3 million ha of wet peat soils, many of which have been drained for agriculture; approximately 1 million ha remain in a natural state. This landscape is a mosaic of steppe forests, wetlands, and river valleys, which sustain rich but threatened ecosystems. Livelihoods are agriculture-based, with livestock farming a key part of the economy. Although the drained peatlands briefly provided rich agriculture lands, over a short time the drained peatlands have become degraded, as mineralization and peat fires take a continuous toll, while emitting GHGs. The water table across the region continues to subside, which causes forest die-offs. Peat fires also have a significant negative impact on human health and local economies. Land use is not optimized, so agriculture continues to encroach on high value ecosystems. However, increased grazing and hay cutting could be beneficial in some abandoned lands in order to maintain biodiverse open peat meadows that are being overgrown by woody vegetation. Underlying drivers of this situation are limited local and national capacity and coordination in land use planning, limited technical knowledge for agriculture on wet peatlands (paludiculture), limited capital access and investment in sustainable agriculture, limited and deteriorating water management infrastructure, and livestock value chains that currently do not sufficiently incentivize sustainable livestock production in peatlands. 
The project will catalyze a transition across the landscape to sustainable livestock farming in peatlands, while restoring key areas for maintenance of ecosystem services to support both vibrant livestock agriculture and biodiversity. This will be achieved through i) implementation of Integrated Land Use Plans (ILUPs); ii) promotion of sustainable livestock production practices and value chains, including a multi-stakeholder sustainable livestock platform; iii) conservation and restoration of natural habitats; and iv) coordination, learning, information dissemination, and knowledge management. Planned project results include more than 9,000 direct beneficiaries; improved status of biodiversity including 18 globally significant species; 150,000 ha under improved agriculture; 40,000 ha of land restored; 240,000 ha of high value peatlands and steppe forest ecosystems conserved; and increased knowledge and understanding of sustainable livestock practices in wet peat soils.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Project Manager, the Outreach and Communications Associate will have the responsibility for leading knowledge management outputs and developing the project communications strategy at the project outset and coordinating its implementation across all project components. The Outreach and Communications Associate will contribute to the knowledge management aspects of the project.


Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensure effective project communication:
•    Develop a project communications strategy / plan (for internal and external communications, defining target audiences, purpose and objectives of communications, methods, timeframes, resources, and responsibilities), incorporate it with the annual work plans and update it annually in consultation with project stakeholders; 
•    Lead and coordinate the implementation of the project communications strategy;
•    Coordinate and oversee the implementation of public awareness activities across all project components;
•    Serve as the back-up project Focal Point for communication and linkage between the project and the Global FOLUR Platform, under communication protocols to be agreed with the Project Manager and Lead National Technical Advisor.

2. Lead and facilitate knowledge building/ sharing:
•    Lead and coordinate the development of knowledge management outputs of the project, including specifically knowledge products for the Global FOLUR Impact Program Platform. Ensure that the project is a leader in generating and providing knowledge management products on sustainable livestock at the national and global levels within the FOLUR program. 
•    Train relevant staff in communications and branding guidelines. Ensure cross linking of the Ukraine project and FOLUR Global Platform websites. Follow FOLUR social media channels. Relay to the FOLUR Global Platform communications officer proactively about any project press coverage for amplification and mitigation; 
•    Facilitate the design and maintenance of the project website/webpages and ensure it is up-to-date and dynamic;
•    Facilitate learning and sharing of knowledge and experiences relevant to the project.

The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that:
•    Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
•    Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
•    Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
•    Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
•    Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
•    Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Outreach and Communications Associate is fully responsible for ensuring smooth functioning and overall effectiveness of project communication strategy. In particular, the incumbent of the position will facilitate the creation of effective communications and dissemination of information on sustainable livestock and enhance coordination/ knowledge sharing within Global FOLUR Platform.


 

Competencies
 

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)  Thematic Area Name Definition Cross-Functional Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need Business Management Communication Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels Business Management Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, clean, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making Technical Nature, Climate and Energy Ecosystems and Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable use of biodiversity, land, forests and oceans Nature, Climate and Energy Ecosystems and Biodiversity Natural Resource Management Nature, Climate and Energy Environment Environmental and social impact assessments and safeguards

 

 

Required Skills and Experience

          Education: 

• Secondary Education is required.
• University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the field of communications, public relations, community development, natural resource /environmental management, sustainable agriculture, social sciences or other relevant field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement
  
  
  
  Experience:
•  Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of practical, progressively responsible experience in Public Relations, Media, Communications, Journalism or other relevant fields.

          Required Skills :

• Experience in the usage of office software packages; strong professional working capacity to use information and communications technology, specifically including website design and desk top publishing software.
• Proven previous experience in developing and implementing communications strategies for organizations or projects.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills; excellent analytical and writing skills.
  
  
   Desired Skills :
     
• Extensive contacts within mass media outlets would be an asset.
• Extensive experience of cooperation with international, governmental and non-governmental organizations would be considered as an asset.
• Experience in working with UN agencies in sustainable development, environment protection etc. is an advantage.
• Understanding of sustainable livestock production, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and associated issues.
  
  
  Language Requirements:
• Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required.

 

Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.   
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
 

Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.