Communications Associate, NPSA-7
About UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP.
Job Summary
UNDP Ukraine is seeking a Communications Associate (NPSA-7) in Kyiv to support its Effective Multi-Level Governance projects amidst the ongoing war. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring effective project communication by developing and implementing communication strategies, enhancing public outreach, coordinating public awareness activities, and promoting transparency and inclusivity in crisis response initiatives. This role requires strong collaboration with various stakeholders including government partners, CSOs, and UNDP teams, with a focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
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
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the country has experienced significant loss of life and unprecedented displacement within the country and towards neighbouring countries. The war has taken thousands of lives, caused untold destruction, displaced millions, and turned vast areas of farmland and forests into deadly minefields.
From the onset of the war, the Government of Ukraine, at both central and oblast levels, has demonstrated effectiveness in crisis/emergency coordination and ensured decentralized presence of line ministries and key government institutions in the country to sustain key government functions and deliver services to the displaced population.
At the same time, within the Effective Multi-Level Governance projects, UNDP provides essential support to the Government to ensure sustainability, effectiveness and transparency in continued crisis and emergency coordination, as well as in response planning between the central government, oblasts, rayons and other stakeholders including the international community, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
To further assist in this effort, UNDP is recruiting a Communications Associate in ensuring effective communication strategies, enhancing public outreach, and promoting transparency and inclusivity in crisis response initiatives.
The incumbent will prioritize gender equality and women’s empowerment within all implementations and promote UNDPs mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.
Duties and Responsibilities
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Ensure effective project communication:
- In consultation with the Strategic Communications Specialist, develop a project communications strategy/plan/reporting (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;
- Under the supervision of the Project Manager, coordinate the implementation of the project communications strategy;
- Coordinate and oversee the implementation of public awareness activities across all projects;
- Under the supervision of the Project Manager and programmatic team, UNDP CO communications, and global UNDP communications teams to support key partnerships with Government, non-government and implementing partners to ensure effective communication and collaboration across a broad spectrum of stakeholders to maximize the impact of the project initiatives.
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Facilitate knowledge building and sharing:
- Support and coordinate the development of project knowledge management outputs;
- Support in training relevant staff in communications and branding guidelines;
- Support the design and maintenance of the UNDP website/webpages/social media and ensure it is up-to-date and dynamic;
- Facilitate learning and sharing of knowledge and experiences relevant to the projects.
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Avoid any kind of discriminatory behaviour including gender discrimination and ensure that:
- Human rights and gender equality is prioritised 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.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
- 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: Refer to the full job description for details on Business Management, Business Development, and Thematic Area competencies.
Skills and Experience
Minimum Education requirements:
- Secondary Education is required.
- A university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relation, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or other relevant field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Minimum years of relevant work experience:
- Minimum of 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in Public Relations, International Relations, Media, Communications, Journalism or other relevant fields.
Required skills:
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
- Strong professional working capacity to use information and communications technology, specifically including website design and desk top publishing software is desired.
- Proven previous experience in developing and implementing communications strategies for organizations or projects.
- Extensive contacts within mass media outlets would be an asset.
- Extensive experience of cooperation with international, governmental and non-governmental organizations would be considered an asset.
Required Language(s):
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local personnel.
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.
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HOW TO APPLY
Posting Date: May 21, 2025, 11:08 AM (EEST)
Application Deadline: May 29, 2025, 06:59 AM (EEST).
Interested candidates who meet the requirements should apply via the UNDP careers portal using the link below.
