Консультант/ка / Crisis Communications Consultant – USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity

1. Activity Background:

The purpose of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity is to strengthen the resilience of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks by establishing trusted collaboration between key cybersecurity stakeholders in the government, and private sector, academia, and civil society. The activity aims to achieve this goal by implementing the following activity components:

Component 1: Strengthen the cybersecurity enabling environment

The legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for national cybersecurity in Ukraine needs to be strengthened and aligned with international standards and best practices. This component will strengthen the cybersecurity resilience of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure sectors by addressing legislative gaps, promoting good governance, enabling collaboration between stakeholders, and supporting cybersecurity institutions. This component will also build the technical capacity of key sectors through increased access to cybersecurity technology and equipment.

Component 2: Develop Ukraine’s cybersecurity workforce

Ukraine suffers from a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals. This component of the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity will address workforce gaps through activities that develop new cybersecurity talent and build the capacity of existing talent. These activities will address the entire workforce pipeline, the quality of education received by cybersecurity specialists, and industry training programs to rapidly upskill Ukraine’s workforce to respond to immediate cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Component 3: Build a resilient cybersecurity industry

A growing cybersecurity industry in Ukraine will contribute directly to national security and prosperity. This component will seek to build trust and collaboration between the public and private sector to develop innovative solutions for future cybersecurity challenges; spur investment and growth in the broader cybersecurity market in Ukraine through greater access to financing; support smaller cybersecurity companies to rapidly increase the number of local cybersecurity service providers; and offer mechanisms for Ukrainian firms to connect with industry partners to enable better access to innovations and business opportunities.

2.  Role’s purpose:

The consultant shall contribute to the communication activities of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, ensuring proper coverage and communication of Service’s key messages by analyzing and adjusting its communication policies, strategies, and plans, as well as by overseeing and producing content, tailored specifically to the needs of key audiences.

3. Tasks/responsibilities: 

• Develop information materials, conduct analysis, and develop recommendations for the implementation of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection communication strategy,
• Plan and oversee implementation if communication campaigns on cybersecurity and related issues (such as Critical Information Infrastructure protection or others that are set in priorities for SSSCIP).
• Conduct training and provide mentoring on strategic and anti-crisis communications, communication campaign implementation
• Assist and consult in the development of anti-crisis communications strategy for the sustainable development of the country’s cyber capacity.
• Assist in the development of anti-crisis protocols
• Provide other consulting services in case of crisis communications.
• Ensure sustainability of key communications vectors while developing annual, quarterly, and monthly communication plans.
• Analyze media-requests and media environment, analyze operational plans of SSSCIP to propose amendments for the message-box and provide propositions for the communication focus
• Tracks reputational threats, developing strategies to respond to them, as well as looking for new opportunities to strengthen the reputation and capacities of SSSCIP
• Other duties as assigned

4. OUTPUT/DELIVERABLES:

• Analytical documents: Talking points for the speakers
• Analytical documents: Media contact reports and quarterly analysis of the perception of the issue within the media 
• Audiovisual content scenarios 
• Monthly / Quarterly Amendments for the communication strategy
• Internal memos and briefs (proposals for the communication campaigns, input to the RFP) 
• Communication campaign concepts and supporting documents: media-plans, media-event plans,
• Event reports & Training reports

5. Period of Performance: 

December 2023 – November 2024

6. Requires Skills ad Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in communications or related fields  
• Minimum (3) years of professional experience in communications, including public relations, media, marketing, TV, etc.   
• Familiarity with local vendors for different communications/media production services  
• Ukrainian – native speaker
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian.    
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills  

Qualified candidates should send their CV and cover letter to [email protected]. by 20 November 2023 6:00pm Kyiv time. Interviews will be conducted on the rolling basis. Only short-listed candidates will receive notice requesting additional information.