Role Insights

Top 3 responsibilities that will define success in this position:

1. External communications strategy and implementation – developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy for War Child’s Ukraine Response, including but not limited to communication inside the country about activities, building media relationships, supporting advocacy priorities and stakeholder engagement, reaching new audiences and stakeholders, and future social media establishment for the Ukrainian Response.
2. Content production and quality assurance – leading the development of high-quality communication products including impact stories, photo and video content, press releases and media briefs, donor visibility materials, and situation updates and reports, while ensuring all content adheres to safeguarding, data protection, and ethical storytelling standards.
3. Partners communications coordination and donor visibility – coordinating communications with consortium partners, ensuring compliance with donor visibility requirements, contributing to proposals with communication plans and visibility budgets, and supporting the HQ with communications-related requests.

Key Responsibilities:

External Communications & Media

• Develop and implement the Ukraine Response Communications Strategy, including external communications, visibility, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy priorities.Develop and implement visibility initiatives and campaigns to increase awareness of the Ukraine Response among key stakeholders, donors, partners, media, and wider audiences.
• Communicate inside the country about the Ukrainian Response activities, targeting relevant audiences.
• Support advocacy and influencing priorities through strategic communications products, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement activities.Build and maintain relationships with national and international media.
• Identify, engage, and expand relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, government representatives, media, and relevant sector networks. Support the development of social media content and campaigns to increase visibility of the Ukraine Response, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and promote programme achievements and impact. Develop content calendars and campaigns aligned with key moments.

Content Development & Story Collection

• With the support of project partners and War Child Ukraine team, lead story collection and production of communication products, including:
  • Impact stories
  • Photo and video content
  • Press releases and media briefs
  • Donor visibility materials
  • Situation updates and reports
• Ensure all content adheres to safeguarding, data protection, and ethical storytelling standards.

Partners & Donor Communications

• Coordinate communications activities with consortium partners.
• Ensure compliance with donor visibility requirements.
• Support stakeholder engagement and visibility initiatives with donors, partners, and other external audiences.
• Contribute to proposals with communication plans and visibility budgets.

Internal Communications & Alliance Coordination

• Provide communication support for internal activities (material, design approval).
• Support internal communication about the Ukraine Response through the Alliance channels by providing content, stories, updates, and communications materials.

What are the must-have skills or experiences for this role?

• Proven experience in communications, public relations, or media within humanitarian or development settings.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills with experience producing human interest stories, case studies, and donor-facing content.
• Experience with media relations, including building and maintaining press contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute communications strategies.
• Experience supporting advocacy initiatives and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Knowledge of donor visibility requirements and experience producing visibility materials.
• Understanding safeguarding, data protection, and ethical storytelling principles.
• Relevant academic background (communications, journalism, international relations, or related field).
• Full professional proficiency in English; Ukrainian is a strong plus.
• Experience working in complex or conflict-affected environments.

Preferred skills or experiences (is a plus):

• Experience with social media strategy and channel establishment.
• Experience working with institutional donors and understanding their communication requirements.
• Experience engaging with government, donor, and humanitarian coordination stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the Ukraine humanitarian context or experience working in Eastern Europe.
• Competence in Ukrainian language.
• Photography or videography skills.
• Experience with graphic design tools or managing design processes.

Soft skills essential for success in this role:

• Strong coordination and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Cultural sensitivity, diplomacy, and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Creative mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Problem-solving mindset, especially under pressure in changing humanitarian settings.
• Integrity, accountability, and commitment to War Child’s values.
• Flexibility and adaptability in fast-changing contexts.

Any specific tools, systems, or certifications required?

Experience with content management systems, social media platforms, and basic design/editing software is desirable.

3. Candidate Persona

• Years of experience preferred: 5–7 years of relevant experience in communications, journalism, or public relations, ideally in humanitarian or development programs.
• Background/Industry: Humanitarian communications, international development, journalism, media, public relations, or related fields. Preferably with experience in conflict-affected or emergency response settings.
• Any “diversity” goals or hiring initiatives for this role? Such as recruiting more women, men, individuals from underrepresented nationalities, cultural backgrounds, or with unique perspectives to balance and enrich the team’s dynamic:

• Only applications received via our website are processed.
• If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed.
• It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.