Спеціаліст/ка з комунікацій / Communications Specialist

Program: USAID-funded GROW Project in Ukraine 

Application Deadline: Until filled

Location:   Kyiv, Ukraine

World Council of Credit Unions seeks a Communications Specialist for the GROW Project in Ukraine (hereinafter – GROW) to work closely with the credit unions to strengthen their capabilities to effectively respond to their member credit unions’ needs. She/he will work closely as a team member of GROW to manage communications of the GROW project and promote credit unions in Ukraine. 

About the Project: 

The GROW Project in Ukraine is a four – year project implemented by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and funded by USAID.

The goals of GROW are to:

• Support MSME growth through increased lending
• Improve the enabling environment for credit unions
• Improve the operational capacity of Ukrainian credit unions to better serve MSMEs

The GROW Project will expand access to finance through credit unions for legal entities and private entrepreneurs, including farms, MSMEs, and cooperatives, as well as individuals in rural areas who are seeking to start or expand existing businesses. To facilitate this, GROW will address the supply of business financing, improve the enabling environment, and deepen the technical capacity of credit unions to provide and promote their financial services. 

Duties:

The Communications Specialist will lead all tasks related to communication of the GROW project in Ukraine. The Communications Specialist will report to Chief of the Party (COP) and work in close coordination with GROW partners, USAID communication team as well as GROW team as required. The specialist will ensure visibility of GROW project activity and results on social media and amongst various stakeholders, including with USAID DOC team. 

Specific duties are as follows:  

Technical responsibilities to provide communications coverage for GROW; 

• Develop an overall GROW communications strategy for the project, including planning public events, social media posts, website content, email newsletter, press releases/conferences, etc.
• Write and develop media materials to include press releases, media advisories, public service announcements, beneficiary stories, project progress updates, newsletters and blog posts. 
• Manage GROW’s Facebook page, YouTube and Medium accounts in line with USAID marketing and branding and communication guidelines.
•  Create and manage content optimized for social media and online platforms for target audience/s. 
• Manage process of creation of video and other visual content as required by the project and the donor. 
• Review materials created by GROW to ensure that they are in line with USAID requirements, branding and marketing plan for GROW.
• Support the design and implementation of a nationwide promotional campaign of credit unions, which includes the following: radio jingle advertisements; advertisements on local social  media; podcasts and interviews with local influencers and leaders, both online and on radio, to deliver basic information about the offerings of credit unions; local and regional events for credit unions and MSMEs (e.g., exhibitions, forums, field days).
• Organize and participate in events, conferences, and workshops hosted by GROW.
• Develop overall GROW external communications guideline.

General

• Oversee all tasks that pertain to communication as required in line with project goals and annual implementation plans, including collaboration with other employees.
• Build communications capacity of GROW staff and its beneficiaries and partners.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with the GROW team and stakeholders to ensure any content writing/editing/review requests are fulfilled accurately and without errors.
• Collaborate closely with USAID Development Outreach and Communications team.
• Liaise with partner organizations, consultants, government officials, and other stakeholders as needed independently to ensure proper communication and information flow.
• Coordinate with international partners, consultants, volunteers, other projects and WOCCU’s Communications Director and home office team providing support to GROW.
• Contribute to the development of work plans, quarterly reports, reports to USAID, as well as GROW and partner annual reports, and reporting required for the project partners, recipients, and government as assigned by COP / Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP).
• Work closely with other GROW team members to ensure synergies, efficacy, and proper flow of work between various tasks and objectives.
• Travel outside of Kyiv, as needed, to reach rural credit unions and their members. 
• Fulfill all tasks required to meet project goals under GROW’s activities as assigned and per request of the COP or DCOP. 

Required Qualifications: 

• At minimum 5 years of experience in the communications sector, or in the area of Public Relations, Media, Public Administration, or International Relations. 
• Proven experience writing press releases, media posts and short stories/pieces for social media and communication a must.
• Experience working at similar and relevant positions in international organizations, activities and/or projects is essential.
• Good understanding of the work of international donor activities; experience with USAID is highly preferred.
• Experience in public speaking on open forums and public events, with high-level participation of local and international stakeholders is desirable.
• Experience with blogging, newsletter design, photography or video production would be considered as an asset.
• Experience in cooperation with government institutions, and/or donors desirable.
• Experience in communications in the field of private business development and / or finance, would be considered as an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; demonstrated ability to work effectively in team; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, local NGOs, and authorities at different levels.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills.
• Native Ukrainian fluency, both written and spoken.
• High proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Culturally sensitive and able to work with multiple stakeholders in Ukraine and understand their various positions/viewpoints.
• Ability to travel to rural areas to capture communications stories.

Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and three reference contacts to Відправити резюме with the subject line: “Communications Specialist.” Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Thank you.