Communications Officer/Specialist

Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) is currently looking for Communications Officer/Specialist to provide Operational support to programme implementation in Ukraine.

General information:

• Position: Communications Officer/Specialist
• Duty Station: Kyiv (Travel to area offices in Kharkiv, Dnipro & Mykolaiv expected ~30%)
• Reporting line: Country Director & Head of Programmes
• Job terms: Full-time
• Type of job: Labour contract
• Starting date: ASAP
• Duration: 12 months

About PAH:

Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) is an international non-governmental organization which since 1992 has been providing humanitarian and development help worldwide. So far, the interventions have been carried out in 46 different countries. By possessing long-standing expertise in the implementation of projects in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH), Food Security and Livelihoods, as well as Nutrition and Education, PAH concentrates its global activities on ensuring sustainable and stable development of regions suffering from the consequences of armed conflicts, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

PAH has been present in Ukraine since August 2014 delivering humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable of the conflict-affected population. PAH aids Ukrainians through various humanitarian response mechanisms including, Protection, Shelter, WaSH, and Livelihoods. PAH Ukraine is currently expanding humanitarian response programming to include both early recovery and development-oriented interventions that provide sustainable livelihoods opportunities for the affected population.

For more information, please refer to www.pah.org.pl.

Primary Purpose Develop and improve existing communication strategies promoting the PAH humanitarian activities, increasing visibility of our mission and impact in Ukraine. This role demands a proactive, strategic communicator skilled in media relations and content creation, with an ability to adapt messaging for different audiences.

Key Responsibilities

1. Social Media Management

• Establish, develop and execute a social media strategy to raise awareness of PAH activities in Ukraine, emphasizing organizational values and ongoing projects in Ukraine.
• Create, schedule, and publish content across platforms (Facebook, Instagram, various messaging channels, etc.) that aligns with organizational messaging.
• Monitor social media channels for engagement, respond to comments and messages, and foster a positive online community.
• Track and analyse social media metrics to evaluate engagement and adjust strategies as needed.

1. Media Relations and Traditional Media

• Establish and maintain relationships with local, national, and international media outlets to facilitate coverage of the organization’s work in Ukraine.
• Prepare and distribute press releases, media briefs, and other communications materials to generate media interest.
• Act as a point of contact for media inquiries and coordinate interviews with relevant spokespersons.
• Organize media visits to project sites and events, providing background information and logistical support.

1. Story Production and Human-interest Content

• Identify compelling stories within PAH projects that highlight the impact on beneficiaries and communities.
• Conduct interviews with beneficiaries, field staff, stakeholders and partners to gather narratives and insights.
• Write, edit, and publish human interest stories, testimonials, and feature articles for use across digital and print media.
• Coordinate with photographers and videographers to capture impactful visuals that complement written content.

1. Content Creation and Management

• Develop a variety of content (articles, reports, infographics) to communicate humanitarian challenges, progress, and the impact of the organization’s work.
• Ensure content is culturally sensitive, fact-checked, and in alignment with the organization’s branding and messaging guidelines.
• Collaborate with field teams to gather up-to-date information, photos, and video footage for content production.
• Maintain an organized archive of communication materials, ensuring all content is easily accessible for future use.

1. Crisis Communication and Reputational Management

• Monitor news and social media for developments in Ukraine that may impact the organization or its projects.
• Coordinate with management and relevant departments to develop rapid response plans for sensitive issues or crises.
• Draft and circulate crisis communications materials to convey accurate information and maintain trust with the public and stakeholders.
• Respond to negative or misleading information about the organization in a timely and professional manner.

1. Internal Communications Support

• Assist in the production of internal newsletters, updates, and reports to keep staff and stakeholders informed of communications efforts and organizational achievements.
• Support training for staff on media interaction and social media guidelines to ensure consistency in messaging.

1. Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation

• Regularly track and report on communication metrics (reach, engagement, website traffic) to evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts.
• Compile monthly or quarterly reports detailing communications activities, media coverage, and social media growth.
• Gather feedback from stakeholders to continuously improve communication strategies and address gaps in public outreach.

Skills and Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Experience: 3+ years in communications, preferably within the humanitarian, non-profit, or international development sectors.
• Languages: Fluency in English and Ukrainian (both written and verbal).
• Polish language skill an added benefit.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interviewing and storytelling skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to engage with diverse communities.Top of Form

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Personal Attributes:

• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Flexibility in adjusting to changing priorities based on needs and context.
• Ability to manage large volumes of information accurately and securely.
• Ability to work systematically, with multiple time sensitive topics simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and / or as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional integrity.

How to apply:

Please fill in your application form online https://system.erecruiter.pl/FormTemplates/RecruitmentForm.aspx?WebID=a84ba067193043c0b6ce925ec0de3670 and submit your short resume (max. 2 pages) highlighting relevance and work experience relating to the role with cover letter in English no later than December 31st, 2024.

We strongly encourage qualified candidates to apply as soon as possible, the applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Kindly note that only the candidates shortlisted for the next stages of the recruitment will be contacted.