Communications Expert for UKRINFORM (ТСА Project)

Chemonics International Inc.  

SCOPE OF WORK  

USAID Transformation Communications Activity  

Job Title: Communications Expert for The National News Agency of Ukraine (UKRINFORM)

Estimated Period of Performance/Level of Effort: Short-Term (up to 40 hours per week within 7.5 months)

Background:

The National News Agency of Ukraine (UKRINFORM) is a state information and news agency and international broadcaster of Ukraine. It was founded in 1918. UKRINFORM’s main objectives are the coverage of public policy and public life in Ukraine and providing information to government bodies. UKRINFORM delivers information to the media, TV channels, radio stations, official establishments and local governments, foreign embassies, Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad, and foreign media. The agency has the largest network of regional and foreign news bureaus. UKRINFORM correspondents work in most regions of Ukraine and ten countries: the United States (Washington, D.C., and New York), Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Latvia, and Turkey. Every day UKRINFORM gives readers a complete and objective picture of current events as they publish more than 300 verified news daily, including exclusive comments and interviews, photo reports, and infographics. Current statistics of references are mentioned below:  

Number of references to UKRINFORM among Ukrainian media, November 27 – December 8, 2022  

On February 24, 2022, Russian military forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, making UKRINFORM’s role in countering disinformation by being a source of verified information from Ukraine even more significant.   

UKRINFORM has a strong team of professional journalists and photo correspondents, but due to colossal news flow, does not have a set communication strategy with clear communication channels, and they are limited in capacity to deliver news to targeted audiences effectively.

TCA aims to support UKRINFORM to strengthen its voice domestically and internationally by building communication capacity and integrating TCA best communication practices into UKRINFORM’s communication team. This activity will help promote the UKRINFORM social communication channels among Ukrainian and foreign media operators and will support the delivery of strategic messages for Ukraine to the audience. As such, TCA will work on raising the amount of UKRINFORM channel subscribers and the number of references on UKRINFORM among Ukrainian and international media.  

TCA is seeking a short-term communications expert to be integrated into the UKRINFORM team to develop a communication strategy and ensure its implementation. The expert will focus its assignment on strengthening UKRINFORM’s systems, strategies, and staff capacity rather than solely acting as an additional “set of hands” during the assignment. The expert should aim to ensure that practices are sustainable to the degree possible by providing recommendations/tools/templates/procedures for the UKRINFORM communications team to ensure its effective operation following the assignment. At month four, the communications expert shall develop an exit strategy to ensure that the expert’s completion of assignment will not leave a gap in UKRINFORM capacity.   

To secure the flow of strategic news issued on behalf of UKRINFORM in foreign languages, TCA will provide translation support focusing on German, French, and English languages. Articles will be generated by UKRINFORM journalists and will be promoted via UKRINFORM communication channels. The communication expert will oversee and manage this process. Approximately one-hundred eighty articles should be developed, translated, and amplified within a six-month period.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Capacity Building (Primary responsibility)

• Develop the strategy and content plan for six months period (in collaboration with TCA and UKRINFORM).
• Act as an integrated part of the UKRINFORM communication department to create and implement a coherent communication strategy to amplify UKRINFORM’s voice in social media and other priority communications channels.
• Develop communication guidelines (manual) to ensure the effective operation of the UKRINFORM communication team.
• Develop a message box for weekly communications to be further actively used for publications on social media for foreign and Ukrainian audiences and provide a mechanism for this practice to continue following the assignment—for example, instructions/guides/tool/templates and a mentorship approach. )
• Raise the number of references on UKRINFORM sources among foreign and Ukrainian media If relevant, develop tools/instructions/templates so that this work can continue following the assignment and provided relevant mentorship and potential training.
• Amplify the distribution of the strategic content created under TCA support. If relevant, develop tools/templates/procedures on best practices.
• Develop an exit strategy to ensure that UKRINFORM does not have any personnel gaps after completion of this assignment (due month 4)
• Advise on content to be included to the mailing among media. If relevant, develop tools/templates/procedures on best practices.

Embedded communications surge support (Secondary responsibility)

• Coordinate with UKRINFORM writers’ and TCA translators’ teams to ensure effective strategic content translation into English, French, and German languages (or others if strategic and approved by TCA and UKRINFORM) and ensure photo descriptions and post translation (if required).
• Manage the development/adaptation of visuals or infographics for publications.
• Write and/or copy publications relevant to internal and external audiences for UKRINFORM social media.
• Develop materials for all types of publications from the content plan.

Reporting and TCA Support

• Plan working hours according to Ukrainian legislation and report on results to TCA and CSCIS weekly and monthly.
• Support USAID Transformation Communications Activity (TCA) in developing and strengthening established partnerships with UKRINFORM.
• Provide written reports on a weekly, monthly, and as-requested basis on the progress of their work within the UKRINFORM.

 Deliverables/Outcomes: 

• Develop and implement a communications strategy to amplify UKRINFORM voice in social media.
• Develop and implement a six-month content plan that will cover UKRINFORM social media channel focusing on Facebook, Twitter (both English and Ukrainian versions).
• Develop recommendations/guidelines for UKRINFORM communications team to ensure effective operations after the project implementation.
• Coordinate articles translation.
• Increase of the number of UKRINFORM subscribers in social media (Twitter, Facebook).
• Effect on the increase of the number of references on UKRINFORM.
• Submit weekly reports to TCA.
• Submit seven monthly and one final reports to UKRINFORM and TCA and received approval.

Requirements 

• At least 5 years’ experience in communications.
• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in communications, law, economics, marketing or other relevant field related to PR and Communications). Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional Ukrainian writing and speaking.
• Advanced English writing and speaking.
• Strong facilitation and communication (written and oral) skills, ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and build capacity. Ability to unite people around common goals.
• Experience developing communications strategies, required. International experience preferred.
• Proven organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Proactive, results-driven approach, track record of successfully working in reform-driven environment.
• Ability to work both in a team and autonomously with minimum supervision but within the respect to given constraints and guidelines.
• Advanced computer literacy.
• Experience in working with government bodies and donor-founded projects is highly preferred. 

Application instructions:

To apply, please submit your application via the following link no later than February 22, 2023. https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/6116f86e2e7d442f96cc45447742b1d6.  Please complete the required information and upload your cover letter and CV for consideration. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. 

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

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