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.

Organizational Context 

Ukraine has a long list of environmental reform priorities. However, the speed of the reforms in the area of sustainable energy and environment (SEE) is slowed down by the difficulties in adopting the needed legislation related to the capacity of the parliament and a large number of low-quality legal initiatives. Similarly, legislative and public information inputs are in demand across the themes of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA), as Ukraine adopts the integrated approaches, as well as in the country’s transition to a greener economy and more sustainable financial system recovering from the recent shocks and crises. To speed up the SEE related reforms, UNDP seeks to improve the capacity of the parliament of Ukraine, and enhance environmental advocacy, including for greening the economic and financial systems and applying integrated approaches to DRR and CCA among politicians, mass media and the public.

In this context, UNDP invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of a Communications Officer who will provide communications and outreach support to Energy and Environment Portfolio, which include, but not limited to, the following projects:

The Project “Supporting Green Recovery in Ukraine” aims at supporting the development of stimulus for transition to a greener economy and more sustainable financial system through implementing innovative green financial instruments, improving climate resilience of the value and supply chains.

The Project “Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery in Ukraine” aims at achieving that communities in Ukraine are less vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme weather events, experience decreased losses in lives, economic losses, livelihoods and health as a result of disasters.

The UNDP-Slovakia Partnership: Effective Development Cooperation Solutions for the SDGs/Ukraine Energy Security Hub aims at strengthening the capacity of the Government of Ukraine to develop and implement energy policies to bolster national energy security. The project also targets to increase visibility of energy efficiency and energy security issues and facilitate international and national cooperation and dialogue. 

The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Analyst (Team Leader), Environment and in close collaboration with Country Office (CO) Communications Unit, Communications Officer will undertake the following tasks:

• Develops and implements a Portfolio’s communications starategy, which is in line with CO Communication and Outreach Strategy, and princilples of gender-responsive communications;
• Ensures projects’ communications strategies and plans are in place to adequately and positively communicate highlights and success stories; plans and designs communications activities to support achievement of the projects’ objectives and relevant SDGs targets for Ukraine including integration of gender equality concerns;
• Monitors and measures the impact of communications strategies and plans and makes adjustments accordingly; ensuring the principles of gender equality are reflected in strategies and plans;
• In close coordination with the Programme Analyst (Team Leader), Environment,  project managers and Communications Unit, promotes the SEE messages and amplifies them at national and international levels;
• Coordinates and manages timely responses to the inquiries raised by media, donors and other stakeholders;
• Produces and widely promotes quality communications materials such as human stories, success stories, articles, in a timely manner;
• Drafts and/or edits a range of communications materials, including press releases, media advisories, speeches, weekly news briefs, fact sheets, media kits, and ensures their wide and targeted dissamination;In close collaboration with Programme Analyst (Team Leader), Environment and CO Communications Unit, establishes and maintains close working relationships with the media, including editors and journalists, key opinion leaders, development partners and other stakeholders through effective consultation, communications and reporting;
• Ensures that a library of reference multi-media materials, such as publications, booklets, photo and video materials, is in place and easy for retrieval;
• Regularly briefs Programme Analyst (Team Leader), Environment , projects managers and CO Communications Unit on ongoing activities, identifies communications needs, and media opportunities for improved visibility; manages reputational risks; 
• Organizes press conferences, interviews, and other media and donor events (advocacy, public awareness, policy), and provides facilitaion where needed;
• Coordinates and manages timely responses to the inquiries raised by media, donor partners and other stakeholders;
• Ensures the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the field of expertise, promote a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behaviour, and use the principles of gender-responsive communications in line with the UNDP corporate standards. Promotes organizational learning and knowledge sharing in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming
• Provides support to Portfilio’s monitoring and reporting activities.