Communications Coordinator, NPSA-8, DS-Kyiv, National position

 

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN agency working in around 170 countries and territories to help eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. Since the onset of hostilities in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022, UNDP in Ukraine has maintained a strong presence across the country through its regional hubs, supporting national, regional, and local authorities, as well as civil society partners, in emergency response, recovery, and crisis management. Ukraine remains one of the countries most heavily contaminated by explosive ordnance in the world, with landmines, unexploded ordnance, cluster munition remnants, and other explosive hazards continuing to threaten civilians, restrict access to land and essential services, disrupt agriculture, and hinder recovery and reconstruction. As the lead UN agency for mine action in Ukraine, UNDP Mine Action Project supports the Government of Ukraine in establishing policy-level coordination mechanisms and strengthening a nationally led, modern, and evidence-based mine action system to address these challenges. The UNDP Mine Action Project operates across the full spectrum of mine action activities, including governance, coordination, the development of national standards, survey and prioritisation, operational capacity enhancement, risk reduction, innovation, and recovery planning. Through these efforts, the Project supports Ukraine's long-term recovery by helping restore safe access to land, strengthen national institutions, and enable communities to recover and rebuild. Effective communication is essential to ensuring that these efforts are visible, understood, and supported. It helps maintain donor confidence, inform and engage the Ukrainian public, strengthen understanding among national and sub-national stakeholders, and highlight the impact of mine action on people's lives and Ukraine's recovery. Under the supervision of the Strategic Communications Analyst, the Communications Coordinator will support the Mine Action Project in developing and implementing coherent, impactful communications that showcase programme achievements, engage affected communities, and reinforce the national mine action narrative within the broader recovery and development agenda. The incumbent will promote UNDP's mandate as a gender-responsive organisation with zero tolerance for discrimination and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse.

 

Duties and Responsibilities
 

I.Ensure effective management of  communication streams and public outreach related to the Mine Action Project.

• Support the promotion of the Mine Action Project's activities, achievements, and flagship initiatives through media engagements, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, report launches, and public events.
• Coordinate communications arrangements for donor visits, field missions, handover ceremonies, conferences, workshops, forums, and other project events, ensuring visibility before, during, and after each event.
• Prepare briefing notes, talking points, speeches, key messages, and other communication materials for senior management and project representatives.
• Coordinate with media and identify compelling storylines that highlight the impact of the Mine Action Project.
• Monitor media coverage and public engagement, and prepare communications monitoring reports.
• Support rapid-response communications, as required.
• Act as the deputy to the Strategic Communications Analyst during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of communications activities and the timely delivery of planned outputs.

II.Develop, edit, and disseminate high-quality communication products

• Collect and compile information for communication products and publications.
• Draft, edit, and publish content for the UNDP website and social media platforms in line with UNDP corporate branding and donor visibility requirements.
• Develop communication materials, including publications, factsheets, infographics, presentations, videos, and other visibility products.
• Contribute to the preparation and design of key project publications, including donor reports, newsletters and other strategic communication materials.
• Develop event-specific communication and visibility materials.
• Coordinate with photographers, videographers, graphic designers, translators, printing compamies, and other service providers to ensure the timely delivery of communication products.

III.Ensure branding, visibility, compliance, and knowledge management

• Ensure compliance with UNDP corporate branding guidelines and donor visibility requirements across project activities.
• Coordinate branding and visibility arrangements for project events and public outreach activities.
• Maintain and regularly update the project's library of communication assets, including publications, photographs, videos, and branding materials.
• Monitor the reach of communication products and contribute to communications reporting.
• Contribute to knowledge management by documenting good practices, lessons learned, and success stories.

IV.Ensure stakeholder engagement and relationship building

• Liaise closely with the Strategic Communications Analyst and the UNDP Country Office Communications Team to ensure consistent messaging.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with government counterparts, mine action stakeholders, implementing partners, donors, media representatives, and communication focal points.
• Support the implementation of the Mine Action Project communications workplan.

 

V. Ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the field of expertise, promote a safe, enabling environment free of discrimination and abusive behaviour in line with corporate standards.

• Assist with ensuring the project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving, and benefiting both women and men.
• Use the principles of gender-responsive communications in line with the UNDP corporate standards.
• Be aware of relevant gender issues and concerns in the field of expertise.
• Support the promotion of team culture of gender equality and zero tolerance to any sexual misconduct in the team through leadership and personal example.
• Demonstrate respect for gender equality in professional interactions, identify and address sexism and gender discrimination.
• Assist with informing and briefing personnel and partners about corporate sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse policies.

The incumbent will perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

 

 Institutional Arrangement

The Communications Coordinator will work under direct supervision of the Strategic Communications Analyst and overall guidance of the Programme Manager (Mine Action Project).

 

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

 

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business management	Communication	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.
Communications	Campaign management	Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change.
Communications	Creative direction and copywriting	Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way.
Communications	Media Relations	Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages.
Communications	Social Media management	Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks.
2030 Agenda: People	Gender	Communication and Advocacy for Gender Equality

 

 

Required Skills and Experience
 

Min. education requirements	Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Communications, Media Studies, Public Relations, Journalism, Development Studies, Public/Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, or related field is required; Or A first-line university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s Degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience	Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in public relations and/or communications.
Desirable Criteria	Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of communication outputs while maintaining accuracy and consistency. Experience in managing multimedia production (photography, videography, graphic design), including coordinating external service providers, and overseeing quality control of communication products.  Working with and proficiency in graphic design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc.) and multimedia editing software for basic content production and adaptation when needed. Prior experience in journalism or communications within international organizations and/or civil society organizations, or international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), or national and/or international media organizations
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.
Professional Certificates	n/a

 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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