Advocacy & Communication Senior Officer in Humanity & Inclusion

Advocacy & Communication Senior Officer

COUNTRY: Ukraine

REPORTS TO: Country Director

LOCATION: Kyiv 

CONTEXTUALISATION

From February 2022, HI has re-opened a Country Programme in Ukraine to respond to the humanitarian needs triggered by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Today, HI’s response comprises the following sectors in Ukraine: 

• Comprehensive Health through mobile teams and in hospitals to provide physical and functional rehabilitation as well as mental health and psychosocial support;
• Armed Violence Reduction through explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) to reduce the risk of injury by raising awareness and promoting behavioral change; Victim Assistance (VA) through broad and specific efforts to address the needs and rights of victims and preparation for Non-Technical Surveys to contribute to land release.
• Protection services to identify and assess the needs of the most vulnerable, and to support them with referrals to professionals, specific/tailored information and awareness on protection issues.
• Inclusive humanitarian action through trainings and awareness among the humanitarian community to protect and ensure the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.

HI has 3 hubs, one in the East (based in Dnipro), one in the North-East (based in Kharkiv) and one in the South (based in Mykolaiv) and the coordination is in Kyiv.

 MISSIONS/SPECIFIC RESPONSABILITIES

The Advocacy and Communication Senior Officer works under the direct management of HI Ukraine Country Director (CD) and works closely with HI's Advocacy and Institutional Relations (AIR) team and Federal Communication (FedCom) team at federal level. A focal point in each of these departments will oversee the design, implementation and follow-up of strategies and action plans. S/he will be responsible for organizing coordination meetings between the AIR team, FedCom and CD to ensure that information is shared and collectively agreed objectives are achieved.  S/he leads on the design, implementation and follow-up of HI’s advocacy strategy related to the Ukraine crisis, in line with HI federal advocacy priorities, at national and regional levels and propose actions/engagement at the international level in close link with the AIR Team.  

S/he is responsible for developing a communication strategy to boost HI's local and international visibility, ensure accountability, support HI’s global communications and fundraising goals through content creation and press relation. 

Main objectives/priorities of the position are: 

ADVOCACY

Mission 1 : STRATEGY AND STEERING 

• Analyze the humanitarian environment and define HI positionning:
  • Monitor and analyze the humanitarian context, architecture and actors at play to identify the main positioning issues to ensure a principled humanitarian action 
  • Continuously monitor policy developments and debates at the national level, to gather any useful information for humanitarian advocacy
• Design and steer advocacy strategy and action plan for Ukraine 
  • Work with the AIR team focal point and other stakeholders (both internally and externally) on developing and updating HI advocacy strategy related to Ukraine at national, regional and international levels that align with HI’s mandate and federal advocacy priorities, ensuring it is relevant, actionable and responsive to the evolving humanitarian context
  • Lead the design of an advocacy action plan at national, regional and international levels, and ensure it is properly implemented, in compliance with HI advocacy quality standards and procedures

Mission 2 : OPERATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION

• Ensure that advocacy is based on reliable and up-to-date evidence and data
  • Regularly liaise with key operational staff and external stakeholders to gather timely information and data to feed into federal advocacy strategies
  • Ensure that the programme produces reliable and consistent data for advocacy purposes, and where needed, directly collect data and testimonies, as needed, including by the AIR team
  • Design, produce and update key advocacy tools (Context update, stakeholders mapping Key messages and Guidance on Advocacy and Public Communication), in coherence with the advocacy strategy. Contribute to the preparation of HI federal advocacy tools for international level advocacy (e.g. reports, briefing papers, factsheets, talking points), in collaboration with the AIR team and HI federal Communication team
  • Design and produce at least one external advocacy publication per year (provided availability of funding) based on evidence, as per HI standards and procedures, in collaboration with the AIR team.
  
  
• Organize the effective influence and outreach of HI vis-a-vis key decision-makers and networks
  • In agreement with the AIR team, engage in relevant fora, networks and coalitions or with key partners at national, regional or international levels to feed the analyses and promote HI positions; identify opportunities for, and collaborate with the AIR team on, collective advocacy initiatives
  • Build and maintain contacts with key decision makers at national levels, according to the advocacy strategy objectives, through regular meetings, exchanges and events at national levels. Feedback any relevant information on other federal advocacy topics.
  • Take part in events and conferences and ad hoc meetings with decision makers at global level in coordination with the AIR team 
  • When appropriate, liaise with the media on advocacy related issues with the support of the federal Communication, and AIR teams
• Ensure HI internal communication and ownership
  • Organize and contribute to internal advocacy related working structures, and other relevant internal meetings to provide updated information and discuss advocacy developments; liaise as necessary with AIR, Federal Communication, or National Associations
  • Disseminate advocacy- and policy- related information within the HI network through appropriate channels, including by feeding HI internal communication tools and platforms
  • Inform and provide support to key operational staff and local/national partners on HI advocacy activities

Mission 3 : STANDARDS and EXPERTISE

• Comply with and promote HI standards and internal procedures relating to advocacy, communication and ethics
• Report any issues with compliance to the line manager
• Develop and deliver specific training tools adapted to the needs of the country teams as well as partners
• Contribute to the design and delivery of presentations and training tools on advocacy led by the AIR team
• Provide advocacy-related inputs into internal processes as requested
• Liaise with the Manager for advocacy Publications and Communications in AIR to ensure compliance with standards and process. 

COMMUNICATION

Mission 1: Communication at Mission Level  

• Design and steer communication strategy and action plan for Ukraine mission aligned with the operational strategy.
  • Clearly define several groups of targets: institutional donors, organizations / partners, general audience in Ukraine, beneficiaries and internal HI community
  • Identify the relevant channels (website, social media, press relation…) and communication tools to reach these audiences. 
  • Build key messages and propose an action plan to reach these targeted audiences. 
• Operational implementation of the communication strategy 
  • Be the point of contact internally for all communication issues relating to HI Ukraine 
  • Regularly liaise on the different area managers and project managers to monitor the ongoing projects in the ground and ensure a good understanding and up to date information on the needs of the mission in terms of communication
  • Coordinate the dissemination to all target audiences at a local level using the most appropriate communication techniques (media relations, event organization, digital, social media, print, etc.), in close coordination with the operational teams 
  • Building capacity around communication with the program internally. Provide guidance on charters, guidelines and directives relating to HI’s image and brand, as well as on modalities for the production of communication tools. Organize media training with the operational teams, define and share information about no go or redlines in terms of communication for each operational projects. 
  • Animation of HI internal community by sharing up-to-date information and articles on the program activities. 

Mission 2. Communication at External Level (HI Global Communication)  

• Provide regularly and high level quality communication raw materials (pictures, videos, testimonies) to the FedCom officer in order to contribute to HI’s global communication strategy by leading relevant content to support external communication and private fundraising
  • Regular meeting with the FedCom officer to identify communication and fundraising needs and adapt the calendar of contents production 
  • Expected contents : human interest stories, interviews and portrayal of HI staff, dispatch during HI activities in the ground. 
• Coordinate the organization of media interviews and visits in close relationship with the FedCom officer. 
  • Identify topics of interest / relevant spokespersons / beneficiaries that will be met by the journalist  
  • Set up a relevant timetable for the visit
  • Ensure that HI protection values are well-known by the journalist 

   PROFILE SOUGHT/OTHER SKILLS 

Relevant skills required considering the above mentioned objectives and priorities: 

Qualification(s): 

• University degree in international development, humanitarian law/action, international relations, human rights, public relations/lobbying, communications or with significant experience

Experience: 

• 5 years of relevant professional experience with at least 3 years of experience in the field of international development or humanitarian field 

Skills:

• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles with specific attention to neutrality
• Strong interest in and good understanding of disability issues and issues relating to vulnerable populations 
• Strong skills in multimedia content production aligned with the communication standards
• Willing to travel within Ukraine 
• Excellent writing skills in English 
• Proficiency in social networks, digital communication tools and press relations.
• Autonomy, creativity, strategic sense, excellent interpersonal skills.

• Working knowledge of English - Good oral communication and writing skills

Interpersonal: 

• Empathy and patience
• Strong internal and external communication and coordination skills 
• Cultural sensitivity, power and conflict awareness. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Contract: Employment contract (according to Ukrainian legislation) Fixed-Term

Type of employment: Full-time

Benefits Package:

• 30 calendar days for annual leaves 
• Medical Insurance for HI staff and one dependent (tax paid by HI)
• Individual psychology counselling sessions for HI staff
• Relevant supportive measures for person with disabilities (if needed)
• Other benefits as per legislation and HR Policy 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

HI is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics. 

All interested candidates irrespective of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics are encouraged to apply for the vacancy.

If you have a disability and require any special arrangements to assist you during the interview, please inform us with the necessary details.

Handicap International has clear institutional policies on "Child Protection", "Anti-fraud, Bribery and Corruption", "Disability, Gender and Age" and "Protection of Beneficiaries from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment”. It is therefore mandatory for all staff to commit themselves to respect, uphold and promote these policies, and to sign the HI Code and Conduct. 

How to apply:

Attention: Please send your CV in English.

Please note that the application deadline is 02/05/2025. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the application closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. 

By submitting the CV application, the applicant gives his/her consent to the processing of his/her personal data (in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine).

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