Communication Specialist, P3, Kyiv, Ukraine (Fixed-Term Appointment)

The Position:

The Communication Specialist  will work in close collaboration with  country office staff, implementing  partners, and other agencies to implement  UNFPA’s Communications Plan by supporting and  delivering a range of communications activities, providing research and analysis, and  prioritizing effectively. The Communication 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:

UNFPA in Ukraine new Country Programme Document (2025-2029) reflects a strong nexus approach, bridging immediate humanitarian response with recovery and long-term development. This positions UNFPA to address urgent needs today while also contributing to human development and sustainable systems strengthening now and into the future.

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

 

You would be responsible for:

A. Manage and coordinate the Office’s communication activities

• Lead on developing  communications plans to  guide UNFPA's communication activities.
• Provide public information support to the Country  Office, including preparing written materials, talking points, articles, and press releases. 
• Draft and/or contribute to regular UNFPA snapshots, regional SitReps,  and OCHA SitReps in line with required formats. 

B. Represent and Engage

• Represent UNFPA in key communications meetings. 
• Engage with electronic and print media sources. 
• Establish close working relationships with the UN Country Team and communication officers to identify communication synergies. 
• Serve as the UNFPA focal point for the UN Communications Group. 
• Assist with resource mobilization activities related to  communications. 

C. Strengthen Capacity and Skills

• 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. 
• Supervise, coach and support national communication staff. As such act as a point of referral and support their development. 

D. Content Creation and Media Outreach

• Provide timely and field-driven content, including print and video  stories, and social media for UNFPA’s regional and global websites and Voices. 
•  Identify UNFPA stories of interest and proactively pitch them to  national, regional, and global press corps. 

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.