The Government of Ukraine is in urgent need to secure the availability of the State Programme medicines and essential health commodities at affordable prices and in sufficient quantities. Acknowledging the challenges of the State procurement and supply management system and following adopted legislation, allowing the selected international organizations to provide procurement support services, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has requested the UN to support the procurement and distribution of a number of State Programme medicines and other medical products as an emergency measure.
UNDP in Ukraine is fully committed to play this role in resolving the immediate crisis and to support the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in its mid- and long-term efforts to reform its procurement and supply management system. UNDP brings its extensive expertise in establishing the procurement system that corresponds to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, cost-efficiency, equity and sustainability.
UNDP together with other UN Agencies (UNICEF and WHO) developed a Joint Project aimed at strengthening the national health care procurement system and thereby improving the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment of the patients of Ukraine. Specifically, in the framework of the project, UNDP plans to (i) procure medicines and medical products for the National Public Health Programmes for 2015 and ongoing years as needed, (ii) strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health to ensure transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the public procurement of medicines and other medical products.
UNDP invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of Communications Officer for the Project ”Procurement Support Services to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine”.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of Health Programme Specialist, in coordination with the Country Office Communications Unit, the Communications Officer will undertake the following tasks related to the UNDP Procurement Support Services to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Project communications:
Development and implementation of communications strategy:
Elaboration of Project communications approach and coordination of its implementation through different communications channels of corporate, national and regional levels;
Ensures Project communications plans are in place to adequately and positively communicate highlights and success stories; plans and designs communications activities to support achievement of the Project objectives and relevant SDGs targets for Ukraine;
Monitors and measures the impact of the communications strategy and makes adjustments accordingly;
Coordinates the implementation of communications activities with UNDP Ukraine communications team, regional hub and headquarters to promote health related messages and amplify them at national and international levels.
Supervises development and publication of Project promotion and information materials such as human stories, success stories, articles, as well as controls its quality and timely production;
Drafts and/or edits a range of materials, including press releases and advisories, speeches for UNDP management, news briefs, fact sheets for inclusion in media kits and further public outreach;
Coordinates and maintains a system of monitoring and reporting of Project activities;
In compliance with Project Communications approach ensures broad and targeted distribution of Project reports and information materials;
Identifies and proposes information opportunities, activities and approaches, considering the situation/topic and target audience;
Establishes and maintains close working relationships with the media, including editors and journalists for reaching main donors, partners and general public audiences; organizes PR and media activities themed on health care reform;
Develops partnerships with various individuals, groups and organizations, whose support is essential to the achievement of communication objectives;
Coordinates identification of and reporting on best practices and lessons learned in line with communications goals and objectives;
Ensures that a library of reference materials, such as communications tools, booklets and photographs of project activities, is established, regularly updated and documented in a way that is easy for retrieval;
Regularly briefs Project and CO senior management on ongoing communications, and coordinates efforts to follow up on identified communications needs, and potential opportunities for improving visibility.
Leads implementation of the Project’s advocacy plans and media outreach:
Implements communications plans and advocacy campaigns in line with Project and UNDP Ukraine communications strategies, and UNDP global communications practices;
Manages Project reputational and communications risks;
Promotes, advocates and raises awareness of the UNDP Procurement Support Services to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Project
Liaises with media outlets and development partners to promote the Project’s communications products;
Coordinates and manages timely responses to the inquiries raised by media, donors and other stakeholders;
Develops, recommends and issues responses to negative press about UNDP Ukraine’s projects and UNDP mitigating risk to institutional reputation;
Provides communications support to UNDP senior management.
Organizes press-conferences and other media related events as part of the Project activities.
Supports regular updates of the UNDP Ukraine website(s) and other UNDP Ukraine communications channels with latest relevant information related to the Procurement Support Services to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Project:
Coordinates preparation of health-related content for UNDP and partners’ websites, ensuring consistency of the materials.
Supports the management of UNDP social media channels with contributions related to health communications, including social media campaigns, identification of correct hashtags and partners, outreach to relevant groups etc.
Measurable outputs of the work assignment:
Communications strategy is developed, fully and timely implemented at the national and regional levels;
The impact of communications activities is systematically assessed and corrective actions are timely implemented;
Project results are regularly updated on UNDP website;
Advocacy/public awareness/policy related events are held;
Communications materials and reports are produced and disseminated to the target audience;
A library of reference materials is created and lessons log is systematically updated in part related to communications issues.
Performance indicator for evaluation of results:
Communications annual work plan is fully and timely implemented;
Project related reports are timely prepared and disseminated;
Information and communications activities are well coordinated and implemented, inputs from all the stakeholders considered.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Innovation;
Leadership;
Communication;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Managing conflict.
Functional Competencies:
Job Knowledge;
Good interpersonal communication skills;
Results-Based Approach;
High level of creativity and excellent writing skills;
Self-Management and emotional intelligence;
Excellent usage of computers and office software packages;
Proven writing and communication skills;
Ability to identify problems and proposes solutions.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s Degree or equivalent in public Relations (PR), Communications, Journalism, International relations, Social Sciences or other relevant areas.
Experience:
At least 3 years of work experience and proven track record in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or other relevant fields.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems;
Extensive contacts within mass media outlets would be an asset;
Extensive experience of cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organizations would be considered as an asset.
Language Requirements:
Fluent English, Ukrainian and Russian.
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Application Instruction:
If you wish to get more information about vacancy and apply for this position, please visit UNDP website and apply only:
