Communications and Knowledge Management Associate / Комунікаційний фахівець

Through its Democratic Governance Programme, UNDP Ukraine assists the Government, civil society and people of Ukraine in advancing democratic policies and practices needed to accelerate progress on sustainable human development and human rights promotion. This includes advocating for human rights and gender equality, supporting anti-corruption efforts, ensuring that all Ukrainian citizens can protect their rights, strengthening parliament, and empowering civil society and youth activists.

 

In mid-2019, Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his Servant of the People party won both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on the basis of three key promises: to restore peace, to combat corruption and to revive the economy. The unprecedented electoral mandate created a new window of opportunity in advancing the reform and peace agendas. Although Ukraine’s new leadership has created a timely ‘window of opportunity’ to promote more inclusive processes that engage all segments of society, including various commitments to Ukraine’s youth both in the economic and civic engagement spheres, the entrenched polarization and lack of practical outreach efforts may result in growing public skepticism and undermine peace prospects, if not effectively addressed.Young men and women, alongside national and local civil society actors, are both willing and well positioned to take forward initiatives for social change, including local dispute settlement and dialogue for peace efforts.  

 

At the beginning of 2020, the Government had an ambitious goal of implementing a national unity dialogue through youth by organizing a Youth Mobility Programme that would support exchange visits of young women and men between different parts of Ukraine and thus foster dialogue on the formation of a national civic identity. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak forced the suspension of this initiative, but the initial vision very much remains on the agenda of the Government and is included in the draft State Target Social Programme “Youth-2025”.  

 

The Building a constituency for peace in Ukraine by engaging young people to promote social cohesion, national unity and a culture of dialogue project may utilize this dormant initiative to help strengthen national ownership and build local capacities. This joint UN Project implemented by UNDP, UNFPA and OHCHR aims to create an enabling environment for sustainable peace in Ukraine by engaging young women and men from different segments of society to promote national unity, social cohesion and a culture of dialogue that can inform the development of pro-peace policies and strategies.

In this context, United Nations Development Programme is recruiting a Communications and Knowledge Management Associate with relevant experience and track record.

The Communications and Knowledge Management Associate will be directly responsible for implementation of the project’s Communication and Visibility Plan, reporting and M&E. 

 

The incumbent will promote UNDP’s 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
	Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manger the Communications and Knowledge Management Associate will perform the following functions:   1. Ensure implementation of project communication efforts, focusing on achievement of the following results: Contribute to design and implementation of communication/information strategy for the project, ensuring sound visibility of UNDP, UNFPA, and OHCHR as the implementing agencies;  Contribute to the development of and produce the project promotion and information materials such as leaflets, brochures, newsletters; Ensure regular update of the UNDP Ukraine web-site and other information sources with the project updates, provide the respective updates for the official sources of UNFPA and OHCHR partner agencies; Prepare press releases and review publications for articles of interest to project and circulate them to project personnel; Review project material translations; maintain contacts with providers of printed and other services to ensure quality and timely production of communication materials; Liaise with communications units of the UNDP Country Office (CO), programme personnel and other UNDP projects to communicate project success stories and results, and ensure smooth inter-agency communication in liaison with UNFPA, OHCHR communications units/officers; Liaise with governmental/non-governmental institutions, CSOs, and academia; Organize public events such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews. 2. Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Project and CO, focusing on achievement of the following results: Develop and administer knowledge management activities of the project;  Establish and maintain close working relationships with the media, including editors and journalists for reaching main donors, partners and general public audiences; organize PR and media activities themed on social cohesion and national unity; Ensure quality control over the project publications, including compliance with UNDP Communication toolkit with relevant inputs of UNFPA and OHCHR; Assure cross-cutting gender focus, and develop and lead specific gender equality project initiatives, act as the project gender focal point; Promote a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behaviour corporate standards; Ensure wide and target distribution of information materials produced;  3. Assume responsibility for the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the project progress, focusing on the following results: Develop and maintain a system of monitoring, reporting and evaluation of project activities;  Contribute to research, documentation, assessment studies on the project and related policy activities; Submit regular updates on the UNDP Ukraine web-site and to the donor if required; Prepare the evidence-based analysis on the project progress towards the indicators; Prepare and disseminate ad hoc information materials about the project; Bring out periodicals based on field experiences and study reports; Contribute to the UNDP result-oriented reporting and the integrated information management system; Perform other duties as required. Measurable outputs of the work assignment Monthly/quarterly/annual/ad hoc reports are prepared;  Monitoring and evaluation activities of the project properly maintained; Donors/partners/media visits are supported in a timely and qualitative manner; Advocacy/public awareness/policy related events held; Support to comprehensive studies on the subject areas of the project provided; Web-site updated regularly; All assignments performed in a quality and timely manner. Performance Indicators for evaluation of results: Relevant outputs of the project annual work plan are fully and timely implemented; Project operational requirements are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP rules and procedures; The developed learning and knowledge sharing materials are of high quality; Project related reports are timely prepared and disseminated; Information and communication activities are well coordinated, inputs from the all stakeholders considered and activities are implemented.
	Competencies
	Corporate Competencies Communication; Delivery; Innovation; Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity; Demonstrating corporate knowledge and sound judgment; Self-development, initiative-taking; Acting as a team player and facilitating team work; Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively; Creating synergies through self-control; Managing conflict; Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;  Informed and transparent decision making; Abilities to ensures all necessary precautions to avoid corrupt practices, maintains standards of conduct that govern the performance of the UN staff, including the prohibition of corrupt practices in connection with the award and administration of contracts, grants, or other benefits, as set forth in the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, the UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules, and the UNDP Procurement Manual. Technical/Functional Competencies Be proactive, energetic, committed and innovative;  Excellent organization skills; Sound knowledge of modern information technologies including websites and social media; Good interpersonal skills, diligent, open minded and dedicated; Excellent team and networking skills; Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things; Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position; Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks; Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; Knowledge Curation and Facilitation Abiliy to turn raw information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to stated need; Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share; Promoting Organizational Change and Development Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions; Client Orientation Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion; Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines; Responds to client needs promptly; Gender mainstreaming  Knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues and ability to apply it to strategic and/or practical situations, e.g. integrating into the project/programme cycle, including design, planning, and implementation.
	Required Skills and Experience
	Education Bachelor degree in business administration, international relations, political or social sciences, journalism, media, communications or other relevant field. Experience Minimum 3 years of practical experience in programme support service in the field of public relations, communications, monitoring and/or reporting or other related fields; Knowledge and experience in conducting/managing research in social science is an asset; Experience of working in international organizations/projects (preferably, in the area of social cohesion, national unity, youth engagement) will be considered as an advantage; Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel); experience in handling of web-based management systems. Language Requirements Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.