Communications Specialist, Ukraine

SUMMARY

The Senior Communications Advisor is an integral and influential pillar within USAID’s Europe and Eurasia Bureau, invigorating and strengthening our engagement within the dynamic landscape of Ukraine. This role is critical to driving transformation, the development and meticulous execution of powerful communication strategies that resonate, creat ing waves of positive change .

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

T he Advisor will illuminate USAID's mission, translating strategies into action while continuously navigating and adapting to the evolving needs of Ukraine. This influential position offers the unique opportunity to shape the narrative of USAID's involvement in Ukraine and propel its developmental journey forward, leaving a lasting, positive imprint on the international stage.

Responsible for the integration of CNI Core Competencies into daily functions, including: commitment to integrity, knowledge/quality of work, supporting financial goals of the company, initiative/motivation, cooperation/relationships, problem analysis/discretion, accomplishing goals through organization, positive oral/written communication skills, leadership abilities, commitment to Affirmative Action, reliability/dependability, flexibility and ownership/accountability of actions taken.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provide Strategic Advisory : Represent s E&E Bureau's interests on Ukraine to high-level U.S., host country government, multilateral officials, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities. Provide strategic input to planning, briefings, and presentations, ensuring alignment with USAID's mission and Ukraine's developmental needs.

Develop and Execute Communications Strategy : Craft s an impactful outreach and communication strategy for USAID’s engagement on Ukraine. Guide the development of print or web-based publications, ensuring they resonate with target audiences and reflect USAID's goals.

Coordinate Inter-Bureau Collaboration : Serve s as the critical liaison between the E&E Bureau and Ukraine Mission Development Outreach Coordinators. Facilitate Bureau responses to queries from elected officials, other government agencies, community organizations, other donors, and the public.

Enhance Congressional Relations : Prepare s responsive briefing materials and written materials relevant to Congressional relations activities. Stay s updated on relevant Congressional hearings, briefings, and requests for information, facilitating the Bureau's response to such events.

Manage Media Relations : Work s closely with the LPA Press Officer on media inquiries about USAID Ukraine programs. Help s draft press releases and develop s briefing materials for the media.

Support Internal Communications : Represent s E&E in USAID internal communications team and engage Bureau staff on Agency-wide communications initiatives and activities. S erves as the critical link between the E&E Bureau and the Ukraine Mission Development Outreach Coordinators (DOCS).

Stakeholder Engagement : Establish es and maintain s strong relationships with key stakeholders, including host country government, multilateral officials, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities. Regularly engage s in dialogues to understand their needs and perspectives and to ensure USAID's work aligns with the broader goals of Ukraine's development.

Monitoring & Evaluation : Monitor s and evaluate s the effectiveness of the implemented communication strategies. Provide regular reports and updates to the Bureau leadership and the LPA Public Liaison Officer, and adjust strategies as necessary to ensure optimal engagement and impact.

Crisis Communication Management : Develop s and implement s crisis communication plans to manage any potential risks or negative publicity effectively. This includes coordinating with various teams and stakeholders to ensure a consistent and swift response to crises that could impact USAID's image or its programs in Ukraine.

Takes into account factors such as cost-effectiveness, attainment of program goals and objectives, and compliance with pertinent legal and regulatory guidelines.

Responsible for aiding in own self-development by being available and receptive to all training made available by the company.

Plans daily activities within the guidelines of company policy, job description and supervisor’s instruction in such a way as to maximize personal output.

Responsible for keeping own immediate work area in a neat and orderly condition to ensure safety of self and coworkers. Will report any unsafe conditions and/or practices to the appropriate supervisor and human resources. Will immediately correct any unsafe conditions to the best of own ability.

Promotes and encourages a culture of compliance with all applicable rules (federal, state, local, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, Prime Contract requirements, etc.) for themselves and the company as a whole . Fosters an environment in which they will report any violations or reasonably suspected violation of CNI policy, FAR, and/or CFR and are comfortable discussing the myriad compliance, conflict, FAR, CFR, etc. issues that arise during the performance of a government contract.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, international relations, or a related field with at least five (5) years of professional development experience OR Graduate degree in international relations or a related field with three (3) years of proven development experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.

JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

Proven experience in communications and congressional relations, in foreign assistance , or other relevant internationally facing contexts .

Expertise in developing and executing coherent foreign assistance communications and outreach strategies .

Knowledge of Agency program goals and objectives.

Ability to provide customer service and communications expertise to various customers within the Agency, Congress, and USAID Missions. Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Exceptional organization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and to meet specified deadlines.

Ability to interface effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Ability to appropriately raise issues and concerns for resolution.

Ability to effectively work both independently and in a team environment toward the achievement of goals.

Ability to employ a collaborative customer service approach and to work effectively with others in diverse and multi-functional roles.

Ability to facilitate working group meetings and present findings.

Ability to collaboratively and productively as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-functional teamwork to achieve consensus on strategic learning exercises. In-depth knowledge and experience in the USAID program cycle and U.S. government systems, priorities, and business practices are highly desired.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Regularly required to sit. Regularly required use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms to handle objects and operate tools, computer, and/or controls. Required to speak and hear. Occasionally required to stand, walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Exposed to general office noise with computers printers and light traffic.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

The pay range for this role is $ 94,200.00 – 120,000.00 USD Annual, with the final offer amount dependent on location, skillset, and experience.

CNI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical / Dental /Vision

• 401(k) & Employer Matching Program

• Life Insurance / Employer Provided & Dependent Life Insurance available

• Company paid STD/LTD/AD&D Insurance

• (EAP) Employee Assistance Program – confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and professional services.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) / Observance of all Federal Holidays

• Training and Development programs, LinkedIn Learning/online education, Education Assistance
  

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

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