USAID ERA looks for PR Spеcіalіst

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

The Public Relations Specialist will be responsible for implementation of ERA Strategic Communications Plan by preparing materials and contributing to public relations activities, supporting all ERA’s components and related public and media campaigns. The PR specialist will develop content for and will highlight ERA’’s activities in social media, various online platforms and will serve as liaise with ERA’s partners and key stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, businesses, and mass media. The PR Specialist reports to the Director of Communications and Change Management. This position requires remote mode of work.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

PR Specialist

• Develop content for various platforms including but not limited to website, social media, USAID outlets, blogs, collateral materials and advertisements, ensuring proper and consistent messaging throughout.
• Prepare and coordinate production of publicity materials (brochures, infographics, newsletter, annual report, leaflets, posters), promotional videos and productions.
• Conduct and maintain media relations in support of ERA interventions and activities including but not limited to development of sub-campaigns, content development for various platforms, communication with partners, preparation and distribution of the press releases and announcements.
• Ensure the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive media database, complete with local, regional, national and international media.
• Work with media monitoring agency to develop monthly media monitoring reports, analysis and recommendations for adaptive management, as well as identifies and reports social, economic and political trends that might affect ERA implementation.
• Carry out distribution of news related to the Activity’s work including pitches, press releases, talking points and related visuals, and responsible for press corrections if the event printed information is not correct, ensuring media is accurately reflecting the situation and emerging trends.
• Define communication and distribution channels for target groups and prepare and supervise distribution and placement of informative materials, involving media in project activities (where appropriate).
• Develop and implement Communications strategies, plan regular campaigns, develop scope of work and budgets for PR campaigns.

Website and Social Media Activities (temporarily):

• Administrate the ERA’s pages in social media and web site on a daily basis to promote the activities of ERA, as well as provide the main news, success stories, and other info, useful for targeted audiences.
• Promote the achievement of ERA’s beneficiaries, add details of all Activity’s news, photo or video reports of the events, success stories, etc.
• Create/participate in Facebook groups that stimulate target audiences to express their needs, concerns and achievements.
• Prepare and develop social media content to support and enhance the Activity’s interventions, operations and promotion of outreach materials in Social Media.
• Closely cooperate with the Growth team to create a content plan for LinkedIn page, design and administrate it; via targeted materials promote ERA’s partners and beneficiaries, helping them to attract new investments, receive new orders, promote business/services on the national and international levels.
• Work with a graphic designer in developing visual content (illustrations for posts, creating infographics, photo processing, if needed, etc.).
• Monitor, post to, and analyze social media channels to build a community of followers and enhance interaction.
• Assist with the creation of technical tasks for audio/video PSAs, and other products.
• Assist with the development of information materials – success stories, articles, longreads, brochures and posters, etc.
• Administrate ERA’s website; place content and promote activities, special projects sections, etc.

Communication: in coordination with the Communications team,

• Provide guidance on external communications, public relations and media relations strategies, and communications best practices;
• Participate in trainings for journalists, local businesses, and representatives of municipalities, promote social networks for business purposes or promotion of a certain topic/product;
• Provide assistance in drafting concept notes, daily bullets, scope of work for RFPs, press releases, letters, etc for ERA’s events and interventions; 

• Foster ongoing positive cooperation with the stakeholders and ERA staff;
• Ensure that the correct ERA branding and marking are utilized during the performance of the technical tasks.

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

• Support data collection during the implementation of grants;
• Monitor the implementation of direct interventions and grant activities according to the ERA M&E plan;
• Provide information and data to the M&E team in the required format.

Reporting:

• Prepare accurate and timely daily bullets, progress reports on bi-weekly and quarterly basis and contribute to the preparation of annual reports and workplans.
• Prepare reports on USAID ERA’s activities in social networks (on monthly basis or upon request): coverage and engagement statistics.

About you

Required

• Strongly preferred Master’s degree in communications, journalism, literature, or a related field.
• From 5-8 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, PR, reporting, communications product development, and knowledge management.
• Demonstrated experience designing strategic communications plans, developing and implementing knowledge management tools or systems, and developing content for social media platforms.
• 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.

Desirable

• Cooperation with USAID or other international donor-funded programs would be an asset;
• Proficiency with MS Office, graphic arts, and/or desktop publishing software a plus;

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: remote work

Start date: March 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: February 20, 2023, COB.