International Communications Manager (Державне агентство відновлення та розвитку інфраструктури України)

Chemonics International Inc.  

SCOPE OF WORK  

USAID Transformation Communications Activity  

Job Title: International Communications Manager for the Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine 

LOE: 260 days (12 months)

Location: Kyiv, mainly in-person at the Ministry for Restoration

Work mode: offline and hybrid

Contract type: contract with PE, 3rd group (and any other if needed)

Background:

In January 2023, the Government of Ukraine established the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure (hereinafter referred to as “SARDI” or “the Agency”). SARDI has been tasked with ensuring the efficient and transparent implementation of projects aimed at the country’s current rapid recovery and future post-war reconstruction. The Agency was created by merging the State Agency of Highways of Ukraine and the State Agency of Infrastructure Projects. Both agencies have a history of construction projects, primarily focused on building roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. However, the mission and scope of the newly created agency include not only transport infrastructure but also critical infrastructure, energy infrastructure, housing, and social infrastructure.  The Ukrainian government has publicly committed to investing a minimum of UAH 110 billion of domestic resources to support infrastructure restoration in 2023 and intends to secure six times that amount from the international community for other vital recovery projects, including housing and essential social infrastructure. Furthermore, the 2024 budget saw a reduction in funding for the Ministry of Reconstruction and its subsidiary Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, decreasing from 119 billion to 39 billion, without a corresponding reduction in reconstruction tasks. The Office is structured into five core sectors: Integrity and Anti-Corruption, Procurement, Communications, Organizational Development, and Projects Implementation Unit. The Strategic Communications Unit within the Agency of Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine has a pivotal role. Its objective is to enhance communication, transparency, and stakeholder engagement, thereby contributing to the success of the agency’s projects and the realization of its mission to restore and develop Ukraine’s infrastructure. The key responsibilities of the Communications Unit encompass ensuring public oversight of the Agency’s activities, establishing transparent communication channels with stakeholders, civil society, and the general public, ensuring the timely dissemination of information, and granting society access to all pertinent details regarding the Agency’s operations.

To bolster the Strategic Communications Unit’s capabilities, four communications specialists were hired by TCA in July-September 2023, focusing on providing daily communications support for domestic audiences and maintaining coordinated communication with the Ministry of Reconstruction. In addition, TCA has recently appointed a Strategic and International Communications Lead to enhance the capabilities of the Strategic Communications Unit within the Agency of Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine. Recognizing the need for additional support to enhance communication, transparency, and stakeholder engagement in this area, TCA is now introducing a new position – International Communications Manager.

Responsibilities 

• The International Communications Manager implements an information strategy for the agency aimed at highlighting the Agency’s activities in the international arena.
• Support the development and implementation of the communication strategy of the Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine to support the Agency’s mission and goals achievement, building relationships with key stakeholders and managing the agency’s reputation in the public sphere, with an accent on international cooperation.
• Promote transparency and accountability in all communication efforts, conveying a commitment to integrity and trustworthiness. This includes providing accurate and timely information to the public.
• Highlight the donor support projects and provide regular communication updates on their status
• Manage the Agency’s reputation by monitoring media coverage, responding to inquiries, and timely addressing potential negative publicity with transparent facts.
• Monitor international media, sentiment, and stakeholders to ensure proactive and effective messaging.
• Highlight the anti-corruption efforts of the Agency in its activities, highlight the international and donors’ support in the anticorruption activities of the Agency, as well as effective and transparent utilization of funds.
• Provide media relations support, being the point of contact for international journalists and media outlets seeking information or interviews with agency officials. Provide timely and accurate responses to media inquiries while balancing the agency’s interests and ensuring ethical and transparent communications.
• Maintain control over production and distribution of content, such as press releases, newsletters, speeches, and social media posts to promote the agency’s activities and initiatives.
• Implement the one voice policy and helps the agency to achieve business goals with communications tools, while tailoring tone and messaging for various international audiences.
• Build the trust of the international community, and private sector in the agency through transparent and compelling communications
• Collaborate with other agency departments to ensure that communication strategies align with overall organizational goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, such as Ukrinform, BrandUA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Deputy Vice Prime Minister for EuroAtlantic Integration, international donors, and relevant communications platforms to promote communications internationally.

Reporting and TCA Support: 

• Plan working hours according to Ukrainian legislation and report on results to TCA weekly and monthly.Weekends and evening work may be required.
• Provide written reports on a monthly, and as-requested basis on the progress of their work within the Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.
• Support USAID Transformation Communications Activity (TCA) in developing and strengthening established partnerships with Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

Primary Deliverables/Outcomes:  

• Proactive stakeholder engagement strategies, including regular consultations, feedback mechanisms, and collaborative efforts with key stakeholders.
• Final reports to the Agency and TCA which includes best practices of one year, lessons learned, recommendations for the next two months after the end of the contract. 

Requirements*  

• Passion for contributing to Ukraine’s path to recovery and restoration through transparent, data-driven, and creative communications initiatives.
• At least 5 yearsof experience in strategical communications in governmental related agencies or journalism.
• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in communications, law, economics, marketing or other relevant field related to PR and Communications). 
• Professional Ukrainian writing and speaking.
• Advanced English writing and speaking.Other European languages are an asset.
• Strong facilitation and communication (written and oral) skills, ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Experience in developing communications strategies is International experience or experience working with international media outlets strongly preferred. 
• Proven organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills, risk assessment and anti-crisis communication skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Proactive, results-driven approach, track record of successfully working in a reform-driven environment.
• Ability to work both in a team and autonomously with minimum supervision but with respect to given constraints and guidelines.
• Advanced computer literacy.
• Experience in working with government bodies and donor-founded projects is highly preferred.  

*Candidates who do not possess all the required skills above may be considered if they possess other relevant skills that will render them likely to be able to accomplish the scope of work.

Application instructions:

To apply, please submit your application via the following link no later than January 02, 2024. https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/6116f86e2e7d442f96cc45447742b1d6. 

Please complete the required information and upload your cover letter and CV for consideration. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors. Chemonics values the protection of your personal data. If you are in the European Union, please read our EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice to learn how we process personal data. You may access the notice via the following link: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/.