Ukraine: Communications Specialist (Climate/Environment), Ukraine

Sep 4, 2023 | United Nations Development Programme
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UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Together with national, regional and local authorities, civil societies, private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance. UNDP is in line with 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve national strategic capacity development.

Context

One of main goals of the Project is support the main beneficiary Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine in development of necessary legislation for recording the evidence on environmental damage caused by the Russian military invasion, as well as practical mechanisms to collect the evidence throughout Ukraine. Considering emergency needs to recovery actions and limited capacities of the governmental bodies, there are significant needs of external support from international partners. The project “Mitigating the risks of long-term environmental disasters in Ukraine through the establishment of a Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment” (Environmental Damage Assessment) aims to establish the Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment. It will enable the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine and other state bodies under the SOC to execute its mandate, through: providing advisory and operational support for the development of the legal framework and institutional capacities; - elaborating impact assessment methodology; - training support to increase knowledge of the state officials; - functioning of the interactive platform on environmental damage (in coordination with other projects/donors); - development and implementation of communications campaigns to raise awareness amongst the public on environmental damage in general, including on its gendered impacts; - facilitating gender-responsive assessments of the environmental damage; - providing and assist in purchasing certified mobile stations/laboratories for measuring environmental data for the State Environmental Inspectorate. The UNDP Energy and Environment Portfolio is seeking for a National UN Volunteer Specialist to support the Environmental Damage Assessment project in their activities.

Task description

The Communication Specialist will support Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine in drafting and implementing communication strategies and plans for raising awareness about changes in legislation in climate change and environmental protection, as well as about environmental damages caused by military invasion. In 2021 the Government of Ukraine has endorsed a new strategy to make Ukraine a more environmentally safe and climate-resilient country, ready to meet the already unavoidable impacts of the global climate crisis in Ukraine. The Environmental Security and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of Ukraine until 2030 will also contribute to the delivery of Ukraine's international obligations under the Paris Agreement. The Communications Specialist will work under the project "Mitigating the risks of long-term environmental disasters in Ukraine through the establishment of a Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment". Under the direct supervision of Project Manager and Communication Officer, the Communications Specialist will be responsible for advising the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine in development and implementation of communication strategies and plans for raising awareness about changes in legislation in climate change and environmental protection, as well as about environmental damages caused by military invasion. S/he will ensure provision of quality and timely services and processes for the Project. - Perform various communication support activities for the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, including, but not limited to:

  •  preparing content (press releases, posts, tweets, infographics) for the Ministry’s website and social media pages;
  •  preparing draft statements, talking points and presentations for the Ministry’s experts for high-level international meetings and events, following-up with post-meeting coverage and reports.
  •  coordinating interviews and commentary of the Ministry’s experts to media outlets;
  •  conducting media monitoring; - Contribute to preparation of Ukraine to the COP28 (UN Climate Change Conference 2023); - Participate in the meeting, conferences, trainings if required by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine and/or Project Manager; - Prepare analytical papers if requested; - Ensure that all project’s needs are met through the timely provision of communication support under the supervision of Project Manager; - Perform other duties as may be required by UNDP management.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in the related field.

  •  Proven knowledge and professional experience in Communications.
  •  Strong analytical, communication and presentation skills.
  •  PC literacy (advanced PowerPoint, Excel, Word skills).
  •  Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
  •  Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. Sound security awareness.
  •  Have affinity with or interest in the Sustainable Development Goals, green recovery, climate change, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise: Communication, Energy and environment

Driving license: -

Languages: Ukrainian, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level: Bachelor degree or equivalent in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, International Relations, Media Studies, Political Science, Public Administration, International Relations, Environment, Energy, Climate Change, or other relevant area.

Competencies and values: - Accountability - Adaptability and flexibility - Creativity - Judgement and decision-making - Planning and organizing - Professionalism - Self-management

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves. Taking into account the current circumstances in the country, telecommuting arrangements can be applied by the Host Entity. This is a full-time contract. Entitlements of National UN Volunteer Specialist (Kyiv Duty Station) This is a full-time assignment. The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Allowances:

  •  Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) 1534 USD (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
  •  USD 400 entry lump sum, one-time payment. Medical and life insurance:
  •  Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the Commencement of Service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract date.
  •  Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum. Leave entitlements:
  •  Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
  •  Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period
  •  Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
  •  Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period. Full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. UNDP is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

Closing date: Tuesday, 5 September 2023

Description of assignment title: Communications Specialist (Climate/Environment)

Assignment country: Ukraine

Expected start date: 09/25/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action

Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity: UNDP Ukraine

Type: Onsite

Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Kyiv