Background

Northern Ukraine has approximately 3 million hectares of wet peat soils, many of which have been drained for agriculture; approximately 1 million hectares remain in a natural state. This landscape is a mosaic of steppe forests, wetlands, and river valleys, which sustain rich but threatened ecosystems. Livelihoods are agriculture-based, with livestock farming a key part of the economy. Although the drained peatlands briefly provided rich agriculture lands, over a short time the drained peatlands have become degraded, as mineralization and peat fires take a continuous toll, while emitting GHGs. The water table across the region continues to subside, which causes forest die-offs. Peat fires also have a significant negative impact on human health and local economies. Land use is not optimized, so agriculture continues to encroach on high value ecosystems. However, increased grazing and hay cutting could be beneficial in some abandoned lands in order to maintain biodiverse open peat meadows that are being overgrown by woody vegetation. Underlying drivers of this situation are limited local and national capacity and coordination in land use planning, limited technical knowledge for agriculture on wet peatlands (paludiculture), limited capital access and investment in sustainable agriculture, limited and deteriorating water management infrastructure, and livestock value chains that currently do not sufficiently incentivize sustainable livestock production in peatlands.

The project will catalyze a transition across the landscape to sustainable livestock farming in peatlands, while restoring key areas for maintenance of ecosystem services to support both vibrant livestock agriculture and biodiversity. This will be achieved through i) implementation of Integrated Land Use Plans (ILUPs); ii) promotion of sustainable livestock production practices and value chains, including a multi-stakeholder sustainable livestock platform; iii) conservation and restoration of natural habitats; and iv) coordination, learning, information dissemination, and knowledge management. Planned project results include more than 9,000 direct beneficiaries; improved status of biodiversity including 18 globally significant species; 150,000 ha under improved agriculture; 40,000 ha of land restored; 240,000 ha of high value peatlands and steppe forest ecosystems conserved; and increased knowledge and understanding of sustainable livestock practices in wet peat soils.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Project Manager, the Outreach and Communications Associate will have the responsibility for leading knowledge management outputs and developing the project communications strategy at the project outset and coordinating its implementation across all project components. The Outreach and Communications Associate will contribute to the knowledge management aspects of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure the effective design, coordination, and implementation of the project communication strategy:

• Develop a project communications strategy / plan (for internal and external communications, defining target audiences, purpose and objectives of communications, methods, timeframes, resources, and responsibilities), incorporate it with the annual work plans and update it annually in consultation with project stakeholders;
• Lead and coordinate the implementation of the project communications strategy;
• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of public awareness activities across all project components;
• Serve as the back-up project Focal Point for communication and linkage between the project and the Global FOLUR Platform, under communication protocols to be agreed with the Project Manager and Lead National Technical Advisor.

Ensure effective implementation of  the outreach plan and facilitate knowledge building and sharing:

• Facilitate and coordinate the development of knowledge management outputs of the project, including specifically knowledge products for the Global FOLUR Impact Program Platform;
• Ensure that the project is a leader in generating and providing knowledge management products on sustainable livestock at the national and global levels within the FOLUR program;
• Train relevant staff in communications and branding guidelines;
• Ensure cross linking of the Ukraine project and FOLUR Global Platform websites;
• Follow FOLUR social media channels;
• Relay to the FOLUR Global Platform communications officer proactively about any project press coverage for amplification and mitigation;
• Facilitate the design and maintenance of the project website/webpages and ensure it is up-to-date and dynamic;
• Facilitate learning and sharing of knowledge and experiences relevant to the project.

The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that:

• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
• Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
• Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Outreach and Communications Associate is fully responsible for ensuring smooth functioning and overall effectiveness of project communication strategy. In particular, the incumbent of the position will facilitate the creation of effective communications and dissemination of information on sustainable livestock and enhance coordination/ knowledge sharing within Global FOLUR Platform.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results:    
  • LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively:    
  • LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously:    
  • LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility:    
  • LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination:     
  • LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner:    
  • LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:    
  • LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: 

• Communication:    
  • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Working with Evidence and Data:    
  • Ability to inspect, clean, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
• Creative Direction and Copywriting:    
  • Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way.
• Media Relations:    
  • Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages.
• Social Media Management:    
  • Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education is required, OR;
• Bachelor’s degree in the field of Communications, Public Relations, Community Development, Natural Resource/Environmental Management, Sustainable Agriculture, Social Sciences or other relevant field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of practical, progressively responsible experience in Public Relations, Media, Communications, Journalism or other relevant fields.

Required Skills:

• Experience in the usage of office software packages; strong professional working capacity to use information and communications technology, specifically including website design and desk top publishing software;
• Proven previous experience in developing and implementing communications strategies for organizations or projects;
• Proven track record excellent inter-personal and communication skills; excellent analytical and writing skills.

Desired Skills:

• Extensive contacts within mass media outlets would be an asset;
• Extensive experience of cooperation with international, governmental and non-governmental organizations would be considered as an asset;
• Experience in working with UN agencies in sustainable development, environment protection etc. is an advantage;
• Understanding of sustainable livestock production, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and associated issues.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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