Sеnіоr Prоjесt Маnаgеr: Соmmunісаtіоns аnd SММ

1. Objective(s) and Linkages to Reforms

The Recovery and Reform Support Team (RST) at the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine (MDCT or Ministry) is a group of Ukrainian professionals (non-civil servants) funded on a temporary basis through the Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture (URA)[1] programme that provides targeted technical support and assists the Ministry in the design and implementation of priority reforms. The RST will assist in filling capacity gaps in the design and implementation of priority reform strategies and programmes, while strengthening links and partnerships between the Ministry`s priorities and relevant donor support.

Priority areas for the RST at the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine will be: 

• Transport Infrastructure;
• Municipal Infrastructure;
• Regional Development and Decentralisation;
• Digitalisation;
• Public Administration Reform and Capacity Building. 

Consistent and comprehensive communication is essential to ensure public awareness and understanding of the MDCT and RST’s efforts, while also driving civil society action to support Ukraine’s recovery and reform process. It is equally important to contribute to the development of corporate identity, content creation, and the management and execution of media outreach and social media engagement, maximising the reach and impact of strategic messages aimed at the Ministry’s priorities.

2. Position and Reporting Line 

Senior Project Manager on Communications and SMM will be a full-time consultant at the RST, reporting to the RST Director. A high qualified professional will work closely with the RST reform consultants and the Ministry’s Press-Secretary and MDCT Press Office. The expert will be responsible for monitoring, planning, and managing communication and social media strategies to enhance awareness of the MDCT brand and the progress of RST reforms, as well as supporting graphic design and the creation of promotional materials.

3. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy appointment is expected to start in March 2025. Duration of the assignment is subject to the availability of project funding, the consultant’s performance, and the specific requirements of the RST.

4. Main Duties and Responsibilities 

The Senior Project Manager is expected to: 

• provide regular updates: сollaborate with the Ministry’s Press-Secretary to deliver consistent updates on the Ministry’s communication plan, ensuring all stakeholders are well-informed on the RST priority reforms progress;
• develop, implement, and manage social media and web content strategy: formulate and execute a comprehensive strategy for social media and web content for both the RST and the Ministry, as needed;
• foster media coverage of priority reforms: proactively monitor media publications and create communication materials related to priority reforms, such as press releases, information sheets, and opinion editorials;
• monitor the RST and Ministry engagement and optimise content: regularly review how the RST and Ministry’s content is performing across platforms (social media, website, etc.) by analysing metrics like audience engagement, reach, and feedback;
• provide recommendations for content optimisation: offer recommendations for improving content, such as refining messaging, choosing better posting times, or using more effective visuals to increase reach and impact;
• organise public events: coordinate public events to report on reform progress, ensuring effective communication with the audience;
• additional responsibilities: perform other duties as assigned by the RST Director, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to RST needs. 

Expected Deliverables: 

• a communication strategy is created and executed in alignment with the RST’s priorities and reforms progress;
• a social media strategy is developed and implemented across Facebook, LinkedIn, and X to enhance engagement and outreach;
• a brand book and visual identity are designed and finalised to standardise the RST’s public communications;
• the RST section on the Ministry’s website is populated and maintained with relevant information, including team details, areas of work, reform progress, and news;
• media training is planned and conducted to enhance the communication skills of the RST project managers and experts;
• public events are planned and executed to effectively communicate reform progress through forums, conferences, and roundtables;
• the media coverage is monitored, and communication materials are created (including press releases, information sheets, and opinion editorials) to ensure accurate public messaging;
• engagement strategies are tracked and optimised to improve the reach and impact of communication efforts.

The specified lists of the scope of work, services and expected deliverables can be modified and supplemented on request from the Ministry and in agreement with the EBRD and the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

5. Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

5.1. Qualifications and Skills: 

• At least a Master’s degree in Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Linguistics or Management;
• strong analytical, communication and presentation skills;
• impeccable ethical standards, and outstanding leadership skills;
• PC literacy in Microsoft software (PowerPoint, Excel, Word), Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs);
• fluent Ukrainian and English in writing and speaking.

5.2. Professional Experience: 

• Minimum 7 years of general professional experience;
• at least 5 years of experience in communications, journalism or marketing.

5.3. Other Competencies: 

• Experience in data management – understanding of basic principles of reputational and communication research;
• experience having successfully developed, managed and implemented communications strategies aligned with the organisation’s objectives;
• familiarity with current Ukraine’s reform agenda, good understanding of policy formulation processes and policy dialogues;
• experience with government entities and their mandate and processes is an asset;
• experience in working on EU affairs is an asset. 

6. Funding Source

The funding source of this assignment is the EBRD Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA). Contributors to the MDA are Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. 

Please note, selection and contracting will be subject to the availability of funding.

7. Submissions

Submissions must be prepared in English only and be delivered electronically by February 28, 2025, 23:59 (Kyiv time) to [email protected]

All submissions must include:

• a completed Application Form;
• the candidate’s Curriculum Vitae;
• NDA form;
• contact details of three referees who, if contacted, can attest to the professional and/or educational background of the candidate. 

Important notice: only Ukrainian nationals are eligible to apply; civil servants are not eligible to apply unless 6 months have elapsed since they left such employment.

Only applications, which have been submitted using the correct template and are fully completed, will be considered.

8. Selection Procedure

Following the evaluation of all applications received, selected candidates may be invited to the written tests. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the interview.

[1] Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture (URA) is a comprehensive technical assistance programme deployed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union, to support critical recovery and reform processes in Ukraine. URA is financed from the Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA) managed by the EBRD.