MSMEs Pіpеlinе Development (Engagement / Communications Campaign) Specialist

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) was designed to strengthen the economy and improve the resilience of businesses and communities in eastern Ukraine following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the seizure of territory in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts by Russia-backed separatists. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, ERA had focused interventions on Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, and the Sea of Azov region (Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts). With the February onset of war in eastern and southern Ukraine, ERA’s implementation geographic regions now include the Ukrainian Government-controlled areas of the whole of Ukraine.

ERA has shifted its focus from interventions targeting businesses and communities in the eastern regions, to supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), universities, and other partners from those regions as they move westward to safety and to re-establish operations. As a result, ERA’s area of operations has changed from “the east” to supporting IDPs and partners that originated from the east and relocated to other locations “anywhere” in Ukraine. ERA provides technical assistance and co-investment support to MSMEs, financial services providers, local NGOs, educational institutions, local authorities, and consolidated communities. USAID support will enable partners to acquire and test new technologies, rebuild and scale businesses to new markets, build capacity, leverage IT solutions, and share information.

APPROACH

USAID Economic Resilience Activity’s work is centered on three pillars:

1. Stabilization and Inclusion: building the capabilities of vulnerable populations to be able to capitalize on entrepreneurial and MSME economic opportunities;
2. Business Revival: helping MSMEs relocate and rebuild marketing and supply chains;
3. New Economy: working with coalitions and leaders to build confidence in the sustainable Ukrainian state, articulate a vision for the future, and put in place the building blocks for a modern, diverse, and MSME-friendly post-war economy.

About the job

Even during wartime, ERA is willing to continue to support the wide range of MSMEs and is looking for the most efficient ways to engage and support the relationship with thousands of new (potential) and existing MSME partners. ERA intends to create an efficient pipeline of partnerships that include different levels of engagement, starting with informational support and rising to closer partnerships such as participation in programs and grant support.

MSMEs Pipeline Development (Engagement / Communications Campaign) Specialist, together with the ERA Growth component and the support of the ERA Communications team, will create a framework of business engagement through available communications channels and support the retention of the target audience on a high level. MSMEs Pipeline Development (Engagement / Communications Campaign) Specialist coordinates the efforts of different instruments such as (including but not limited to) subcontracts, and consultancies to achieve the goals set for ERA business engagement. MSMEs Pipeline Development (Engagement / Communications Campaign) Specialist reports to Investments and Private Sector Engagement Lead and is based in Kyiv or Lviv (remote mode, until further notice).

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Technical Tasks:  

• Develop MSMEs engagement / communications strategy that will address issues of effective engagement / communication with the targeted beneficiaries (MSMEs).
• Design of  MSMEs engagement campaign / develop pipeline on SMART goals basis.
• Support creation of branding and identity materials.
• Creation and support of communication channels with targeted MSMEs (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram, email, etc.)
• Design and support of content management framework for social media channels and publications in traditional media outlets.
• Together with ERA business sectors teams (ERA internal interaction) develop content creation/exchange to achieve MSMEs engagement and retention goals.
• Organize the process with ERA external stakeholders of relevant partnerships and content creation/exchange to achieve MSMEs engagement and retention goals.
• Support or/and develop the application forms, database content, and other external data collection and engagement materials
• Organize the database of engaged MSMEs and develop MSMEs pipeline.
• Develop the network with relevant stakeholders on MSMEs engagement.
• Ensure the stability of target audience retention and engagement for a long-term period.
• Provide timely and comprehensive reporting on outreach campaign(s) implementation.
• Organize or support different assessments, surveys, research, and other relevant analytics.

Monitoring & Evaluation:  in coordination with the M&E team,

• supports data collection during the implementation of the technical tasks;
• monitors the implementation of activities according to the ERA M&E plan;
• provides information and data to the M&E team in a required format.

Communication: in coordination with the Communications team,

• professionally represents ERA at events/meetings with relevant stakeholders;
• fosters ongoing positive cooperation with stakeholders and ERA staff;
• ensures that the correct USAID ERA branding and marking are utilized during the performance of the technical tasks.

Reporting:

• maintains records of all activities using existing reporting tools;
• prepares accurate and timely progress reports quarterly and contributes to the preparation of annual reports;
• compiles technical information for the Growth manager and ERA Senior Management Team (SMT) upon request.

About you

• Minimum three years of experience in Marketing, Sales, PR and Communications, preferably in B2B.
• Master’s degree preferred (preferably in communications, law, economics, marketing or other relevant field related to PR and Communications).
• Proven experience of successful communication campaigns and strategic communication leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with institutional and private‐sector partners and stakeholders in a multi‐country setting.
• Excellent writing, speaking, and reading skills in English and Ukrainian.
• Cooperation with USAID or other international donor-funded programs would be an asset.

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI’s four core values:

• Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing;
• Responsibility: Be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;
• Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
• Global Citizenship: respect cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months with possible extension

Designation of Duty Location: Kyiv or Lviv (remote mode, until further notice)

Start date: April 2023

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with USAID ERA Terms of Employment and the Ukrainian Labor Code.

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to [email protected]. Only selected candidates with relevant experience will be contacted for an interview.

Closing date for applications: March 9, 2023, COB.