14.01.2025

Strategic Communications Team Lead / Керівник/ця команди стратегічних комунікацій

Додано:
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Vacancy_dfrfycsz3 (1) — Strategic Communications Team Lead / Керівник/ця команди стратегічних комунікацій

Chemonics International Inc.

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID Transformation Communications Activity

Job Title: Strategic Communications Team Lead for the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (SARDI or Agency for Restoration)

Estimated Period of Performance/Level of Effort: 10 months (up to 40 hours per week within 10 months) till December 31, 2025.

Background:

In January 2023, the Government of Ukraine established the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as “SARDI” or “the Agency”). SARDI has been tasked with ensuring the efficient and transparent implementation of projects aimed at the country’s current rapid recovery and future post-war reconstruction. The Agency was created by merging the State Agency of Highways of Ukraine and the State Agency of Infrastructure Projects. Both agencies had a history of construction projects, primarily focused on building roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. However, the mission and scope of the created agency include not only transport infrastructure but also critical infrastructure (including the construction of water pipelines), energy infrastructure (including the protection of energy facilities), housing, and social infrastructure. The list of priority activities and projects for SARDI extended even broader in the fall of 2024, including the empowerment of local communities in implementing energy-efficient projects. The State Budget of Ukraine 2025 secures partial funding for these projects, while other projects need additional financing from international partners. At the same time, transparency and accountability of the state institutions are critical to ensure support and additional funding. Given that SARDI is the key implementor of state strategies and priorities in Ukraine’s reconstruction with new projects in its portfolio and there is a need to ensure international support, it is critical to ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy for SARDI and intensified engagement with various stakeholders, including international.

To bolster the Strategic Communications Unit’s capabilities, USAID Transformation Communications Activity (USAID TCA) has been providing embedded communications experts since July 2023, focusing on providing daily communications support, strategic communications on key Agency priorities, and maintaining coordinated communication with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine (former Ministry for Restoration). As a relatively new Agency that is positioning itself as a technical advisory resource for local communities, as well as a trusted and transparent steward of funds that can implement complex reconstruction projects, continued daily and strategic communications are needed to dispel dis/misinformation around Ukraine’s recovery efforts. USAID TCA now plans to hire a Strategic Communications Team Lead to support the Agency’s efforts in Ukraine’s reconstruction and ensure international support. The Team Lead will oversee other TCA embedded copywriters and graphic designers.

Responsibilities:

Update (when necessary) and execute a comprehensive communications strategy for SARDI that effectively showcases the Agency’s current projects’ portfolio and global initiatives and ensures transparency and accountability to international audiences and the general public in Ukraine, thus contributing to the public’s trust in the Agency.
Develop communications strategies, plans, campaigns, and projects using a data-driven approach; constantly analyze the Agency’s communications performance.
Strike a balance to provide daily communications support for the Agency, while ensuring strategic communications are employed as a key focus of the TCA/SARDI Communications Team.
Manage the communications team of approximately five experts to ensure consistent messaging and efficient and coordinated implementation of the communications plans to support the Agency’s objectives.
Build the Agency’s awareness among various stakeholders to ensure their support for the Agency and Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Cultivate and nurture relationships with key national and international stakeholders, including media, NGOs, and international partners, to enhance the Agency’s presence and support its objectives.
Develop and implement robust systems, tools, approaches, and national and international communications policies tailored to the global context, effectively showcasing the Agency’s initiatives and commitment to transparency.
Oversee the Agency’s reputation by continuously monitoring national and international media and proactively addressing reputation-related challenges or crises with transparency and accountability.
Be prepared to lead crisis communication efforts at the national and international levels, provide timely and transparent updates during emergencies, and ensure the Agency’s reputation remains intact.
Promote transparency and integrity in all Agency projects at the international level, ensuring that accurate and timely information is consistently provided to the global audience to build trust.
Serve as the Agency’s primary contact for journalists and media outlets, promptly addressing inquiries and facilitating interviews with the Agency leadership and/or spokespersons while maintaining a focus on ethical and transparent communication.
Provide oversight over creating and disseminating various content types, including press releases, newsletters, speeches, and social media posts, ensuring they align with the Agency’s communications strategy and resonate with the stakeholders while maintaining high levels of accuracy and professionalism.
Collaborate closely with the Agency’s communications team (2 people), other departments, and Regional Restoration Offices to ensure that communication strategies and plans align with and support the overall organizational goals and objectives.
Foster a unified and coordinated communication approach with partner institutions, including the Ministry for Development and other reconstruction-focused organizations, to present a joint and cohesive message to international audiences. Consistently enforce the one-voice policy throughout all communication efforts, ensuring a unified and coherent messaging approach that effectively advances the agency’s objectives.
Implement direct requests from USAID TCA strategic communications and participate in USAID TCA events when needed. Regularly meet and provide reporting and updates to USAID TCA.
Coordinate with USAID TCA partners within the Recovery & Restoration track to search for additional opportunities to promote the Agency’s key messages.
Analyze the Agency’s communications strategy, plans, campaigns, and projects’ efficiency and suggest improvements to achieve the Agency’s goals.

Reporting and TCA Support:

Plan working hours according to Ukrainian legislation and report on results to USAID TCA weekly and monthly.
Provide written reports on a monthly, and as-requested basis on the progress of their work within the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.
Support USAID TCA in developing and strengthening established partnerships with the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

Primary Deliverables/Outcomes:

Amended communications strategy for the Agency for 2025 and recommendations on adjusting the strategy after one year (if necessary). The strategy shall include written guidelines, processes, tools, and templates that can be used by the Agency’s future communications team and staff at large, including the staff of the Regional Restoration Offices (when necessary).
Amended communications plans for the Agency’s priority projects in 2025 (if needed).
Media training for the key Agency’s spokespersons and the representatives of the Regional Restoration Offices (if needed).
A comprehensive strategic communication plan for international audiences.
Proactive stakeholder engagement strategies, including regular consultations, feedback mechanisms, and collaborative efforts with key stakeholders.
Develop and implement a comprehensive crisis communication plan with well-defined protocols, training, and resources for effective crisis management and response. This plan should address potential crises that the Agency may face.
Final reports to the Agency and USAID TCA which includes best practices of one year, lessons learned, and recommendations for the next two months after the end of the contract.

Desired Qualifications:

At least 7-10 years of experience in strategic communications with an international angle, including preference for successful track record in governmental-related agencies.
Master’s degree (preferably in communications, law, economics, marketing, or other relevant field related to PR and Communications), strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree required
Professional Ukrainian writing and speaking.
Fluent in English writing and speaking.
Strong leadership, facilitation, and communication (written and oral) skills, ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
Strong knowledge of communication systems and tools in the international context.
Proven ability to train, mentor, and build capacity. Ability to unite people around common goals.
Experience in developing communications strategies and working with international media.
Experience in building data-driven communications.
Proven organizational and leadership skills.
Strong analytical skills, risk assessment and anti-crisis communication skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
Proactive, results-driven approach, track record of successfully working in a reform-driven environment.
Ability to work both in a team and autonomously with minimum supervision but with respect to given constraints and guidelines.
Advanced computer literacy.
Experience in working with government bodies and donor-founded projects is highly preferred.
Intercultural, inclusion and gender-sensitive literacy.
A solid network with international media and news agencies will be an advantage.
Candidates with alternative qualifications and a demonstrated ability to excel in related areas may also be considered.

Application instructions:

To apply, please submit your application via the following link no later than January 28, 2025, 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.

Chemonics values the protection of your personal data. If you are in the European Union, please read our EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice to learn how we process personal data. You may access the notice via the following link: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/.