Organization Mission

UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Together with national, regional and local authorities, civil societies, private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance. UNDP is in line with 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve national strategic capacity development.

Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a UN agency that works in about 170 countries and territories, helping eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. In Ukraine, UNDP operates under the Country Programme Document for 2025 – 2029 through three programme priorities: Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric; Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Recovery and Growth; and Sustainable Environment and Energy Transformation.

Within this framework, the project “Inclusive Recovery Support for Resilience and Human Security in Ukraine,” funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP, aims to contribute to Ukraine’s inclusive and sustainable recovery by strengthening institutional capacities, enhancing information resilience, supporting democratic governance, and protecting human security – particularly in the context of ongoing war-related challenges.
Under this project, UNDP will support the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine (hereinafter – “the Ministry”) to enhance its communications. In this regard, UNDP in Ukraine is seeking a Public Relations Advisor to support design and delivery of unified communication and stakeholder engagement for the Ministry – planning and producing content, supporting spokespersons, and strengthening crisis-communication readiness to ensure consistent, evidence-based messaging across the consolidated portfolio.

This Advisor will contribute to the broader recovery agenda by supporting policy reforms, interinstitutional coordination, and legal compliance that underpin resilience and democratic governance in Ukraine.

Key Responsibilities

The Advisor is expected to support the fulfilment of the following activities:
• Develop monthly communication plans, including topics, messages, release schedules, and alignment with the client and project stakeholders.
• Prepare communication talking points, support speakers in interviews and public appearances, and provide recommendations and analysis in crisis situations.
• Draft and edit communication products (press releases, news, longreads, Q&As, etc.).
• Manage digital publishing across the Ministry’s web and social channels, ensure accessibility (alt text, captions) and plain language, schedule and post content.
• Facilitate integration into public events and stakeholder activities, including coordination, content preparation, and reporting.
• Ensure crisis communications readiness: maintain Q&As, holding statements, escalation protocols.
• Prepare targeted stakeholder newsletters/updates and maintain a contact registry/CRM for priority groups.
• Draft executive communications for leadership (speeches, remarks, op-eds) and prepare briefing packs.
• Maintain an editorial calendar and approvals workflow, ensuring compliance with branding, ethics, and accessibility.
• Coordinate production of visual and multimedia assets with designers/contractors, ensure rights clearance and quality control.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and UNDP Ukraine Leadership.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 7 years of strong professional background in the field of communications.
• Proven track record of the relevant professional experience in public relations.
• At least 1 year of experience in cooperation with the Government of Ukraine (GoU) and/or international donor programmes, proven by CV.
• Demonstrated experience working in a public relations agency, proven by CV.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

Core Competencies

Corporate competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Technical Competencies:
• Ability to work under the deadline and deliver within the schedule;
• Ability to work on complex issues in changing environment;
• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations;
• Strong communication, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills;
• Knowledge of sustainable energy and environmental issues;
• Strong communication skills (written and oral).

Living Conditions

As it is a national UN Volunteer”s assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.

Entitlements of National UN Volunteer (Expert)

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

Allowances:
• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 2076 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
• USD 400 entry lump sum, one-time payment.
• USD 101.78 exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment) for each month of assignment.

Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the Commencement of Service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract date.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.