Communication Expert

Host entity: UNDP Ukraine

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Audio-visual content, Communication, advocacy, public information, Digital and social media

Application deadline: 10/11/2026

Mission and objectives

UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Together with national, regional and local authorities, civil societies, private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance. UNDP is in line with 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve national strategic capacity development.

Assignment context

The UNDP Green Energy Recovery Programme is an integrated approach to address Ukraine’s needs to accelerate efforts towards a more diverse energy mix, following the impact of the war and outdated energy system. It has been designed based on extensive consultations with the Government of Ukraine, local and regional authorities, and thorough analysis of barriers and instruments for urgent response to ongoing targeted attacks on the energy sector and green energy sector recovery. The Programme supports achieving objectives and priorities indicated in the National Energy Strategy, contributing to energy security and independence, supporting a green recovery and transition of the energy sector, promoting decarbonisation and facilitating further synchronisation with the EU energy markets. The Programme expands the scope of UNDP’s engagement in supporting reconstruction and recovery of the energy system, building on the partnerships, results and lessons learned under the multi-donor funded project “Winterization support to Ukraine”. In line with the priorities of UN Ukraine Transitional Framework 2023 and UN Winterization plans of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, UNDP is herein providing immediate and emergency support to the national and local governments to repair energy infrastructure in order to provide critical basic services to the population in war-affected areas. The Green Energy Recovery Programme will contribute to distributing generation sources throughout the country and decentralizing the power system while increasing the share of renewable energy sources in an effort to contribute to gradually reducing coal generation, in line with Ukraine’s national commitments in reducing Co2 emissions. This will have significant positive impact on people’s access to energy from decentralized renewable energy capacities, economic empowerment and improved public governance of the energy sector. Outputs under the key objectives will thereby contribute to implementation of Ukraine’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) towards the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in the effort for global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable energy solutions provided through the pilot projects aligns with the UNDP nexus approach, contributing to risk reduction and
increasing resilience of sub-national energy systems in war-affected communities in Ukraine. By increasing energy supply in the medium term and contributing to decentralization of the energy system, the proposed Project will furthermore reduce pressure on humanitarian aid for heat, water, and sanitation services, all which depend on electricity supply, in the war affected areas and reduce the vulnerabilities of the energy systems.

Task description

The Communications Expert will ensure effective programme communication and perform the following tasks:

• The CE will assist GERP Communication Team in the proposal development stage to identify appropriate communication activities for the project;
• The CE will ensure that relevant advocacy/information materials such as Press releases, Articles, Interviews, Human Interest Stories, project reports, factsheets, infographics, videos etc. are developed and disseminated to target groups through relevant media and network channels;
• Logistical support to the organization of publicity/outreach for the knowledge-sharing events and promotional opportunities related to project implementation;
• Establish good collaboration with the media by sharing communication materials, facilitating photo coverage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate;
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of media coverage, clippings etc. related to the projects;
• The CE will develop and archive communication materials, including digital, such as publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.;
• Collection of information, preparation of content for UNDP website and digital media platforms in two (2) languages (English and Ukrainian);
• Preparation of Media coverage for the projects’ activities;
• The CE will provide support to the preparation of briefings and regular meetings with the national and international partners, UN Agencies and media;
• Administrative and logistical support to GERP communications team, including for initiatives such as media workshops, press briefings, project visits, report launches, etc.;
• Production of printed communication and advocacy products related to projects’ implementation;
• Participation in training for GERP staff and project personnel on effective communications and advocacy;
• The CE will provide support to advocacy efforts and campaigns by organizing public events and drafting briefing materials and press releases;
• The CE will design terms of reference for and supervise work of consultants and commercial companies designing awareness raising products.
• Provide updates on communication activities, campaign results, and stakeholder engagement efforts.

Skills and experience

- Experience in communications targeting private sector, ability to develop and implement communication campaigns.
- Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.
- Ability to communicate visually and create appealing UNDP graphic products.
- Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and coordinate with various stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and local communities.developing and executing comprehensive communication
- Exprience in developing strategies and media plans, preferably in the energy sector.

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge:
- Experience in social media management (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.),
- Experience in organizing the social media campaigns or similar.
- Basic knowledge in graphic design: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premier, Adobe Illustrator (CorelDraw), Adobe Photoshop, etc., will be an asset.
- Familiarity with UNDP rules and regulations will be considered as an advantage.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions

As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

Allowances:
• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 2615 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Danger and hardship differential for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
• USD 350 entry lump sum, one-time payment.
• USD 120 Exit lump sum for each month served, paid on completion of contract.

Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.