Communications Officer for USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity, DAI Global, LLC

Проект «Кібербезпека критично важливої інфраструктури в Україні».

Проект USAID «Кібербезпека критично важливої інфраструктури в Україні»  має зробити цю інфраструктуру стійкішою до кібератак шляхом формування відносин довіри та співпраці між основними зацікавленими сторонами у сфері кібербезпеки, що представляють органи влади, приватний бізнес, наукову спільноту та громадянське суспільство.

Проект включає три взаємопідсилювальні компоненти:
1) Зміцнення середовища, що є сприятливим для кібербезпеки;
2) Формування кадрового потенціалу України у сфері кібербезпеки;
3) Створення стійкої кібербезпекової індустрії.

Мета: посилення стійкості критичної інфраструктури країни до кібератак шляхом розвитку надійного партнерства між основними учасниками процесу підвищення рівня кібербезпеки у галузі державного управління, приватному секторі, а також представниками освітньої галузі й громадянського суспільства.

The purpose of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity (the ‘Activity’) is to strengthen the resilience of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks by establishing trusted collaboration between key cybersecurity stakeholders in the government, private sector, academia, and civil society. The activity aims to achieve this goal by implementing the following activity components:

Component 1: Strengthen the cybersecurity enabling environment

The legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for national cybersecurity in Ukraine needs to be strengthened and aligned with international standards and best practices. This component will strengthen the cybersecurity resilience of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure sectors by addressing legislative gaps, promoting good governance, enabling collaboration between stakeholders, and supporting cybersecurity institutions. This component will also build the technical capacity of key sectors through increased access to cybersecurity technology and equipment.

Component 2: Develop Ukraine’s cybersecurity workforce

Ukraine suffers from a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals. This component of the Activity will address workforce gaps through activities that develop new cybersecurity talent and build the capacity of existing talent. These activities will address the entire workforce pipeline, the quality of education received by cybersecurity specialists, and industry training programs to rapidly upskill Ukraine’s workforce to respond to immediate cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Component 3: Build a resilient cybersecurity industry

A growing cybersecurity industry in Ukraine will contribute directly to national security and prosperity. This component will seek to build trust and collaboration between the public and private sector to develop innovative solutions for future cybersecurity challenges; spur investment and growth in the broader cybersecurity market in Ukraine through greater access to financing; support smaller cybersecurity companies to rapidly increase the number of local cybersecurity service providers; and offer mechanisms for Ukrainian firms to connect with industry partners to enable better access to innovations and business opportunities.

2. Role’s purpose:

The Communications Officer’s role is to work within the Activity’s Communications Team on increasing Activity’s visibility and promoting its activities in accordance with its Strategic Communications Plan on various digital platforms. Communications Officer proactively participates in Activity’s outreach efforts to pitch ideas for communicating its own and its beneficiaries’ success stories and achievements. Communications Officer is social and mainstream media savvy to pick up and inform Activity’s staff about news and events that might be of interest and/or relevant to the Activity’s goals. Communications Officer reports to Senior Communications Manager.

3. Tasks/responsibilities: 

Content development and Digital communications

• Support the Senior Communications Manager in implementing the Activity’s Strategic Communications Plan.
• Assist with preparing and formatting contractual deliverables, including collecting inputs for and drafting weekly updates, bullets, monthly calendars, and quarterly reports, among others.
• Work closely with the Communications Team on developing public outreach materials (success stories, articles, long reads, brochures, factsheets, etc.) to increase the Activity’s visibility.
• Develop and implement the Activity’s Content Plan based on relevant weekly reports and plans. Work closely with the Communications Team and Activity’s components to prepare it on time.
• Work with Activity vendors in developing visual content (presentations, leaflets, posters, visuals for social media, infographics, photo and video content, etc.).
• Pitch ideas for social media content, collect and produce information materials, namely social media posts, content for infographics, posters, video scripts, etc., in close cooperation with the Communications Team and Activity’s components.
• Analyze the Activity’s social media campaigns performances and prepare reports.
• Monitor, clear, and catalog notable comments and reposts on the Activity’s beneficiaries’ digital platforms and key partners, which contribute to reinforcing the Activity’s key messages, highlighting USAID Ukraine/Activity contribution/assistance. Work on the increase of impressions and engagements on the Activity’s digital platforms.
• Follow digital platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) and online media for stories related to the cybersecurity sector in Ukraine and worldwide.
• Contribute to developing the social media posts, complementing specific activities or outreach campaigns requested by USAID Ukraine.
• Implement other communications-related activities and tasks as required.

Events/Outreach

• Create and manage an event calendar, and regularly collect information from components.
• In cooperation with the Communications Team and Activity’s components, support and help organize Activity’s online/offline/hybrid events, ranging from working meetings to high-level public outreach events with the participation of the Government of Ukraine, the U.S. Government, and USAID officials.
• In close collaboration with the Communications Team and Activity’s components, draft event scenarios and invitation letters, prepare event announcements and promote events through the Activity’s digital platforms, compile agenda, take care of participants registration, prepare event reports, prepare event handouts, and arrange event follow-up communications.
• Arrange photo and video shoots with vendors during events, set up tasks for filming crews, coordinate the preparation of photo reportages, videos for Activity’s digital platforms and slideshows, and images with quotes to be used as an event follow-up communications.
• Implement other event-related tasks, as assigned.

Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s or M.A. degree in journalism/communication/international relations/business studies/media studies or related field or demonstrated relevant experience in lieu of official academic background.
• At least 2 years of experience in similar assignments.
• Interest in key public policy issues, including the cybersecurity industry, its agenda, and reforms, is a major advantage.
• Strong experience in social media management (Facebook – Meta Business Suite) and experience in working with other digital platforms is an asset. Knowledge of trends in SMM and content development. Targeting skills is an advantage.
• Experience with media and social media monitoring and subscription monitoring services is a plus.
• Prior experience with USAID-funded or other international organization projects and familiarity with USAID communications policies is an asset.
• Strong communications and copywriting skills, both oral and written, in English and Ukrainian.
• Highly motivated, independent, and self-starter, but team player at the same time.
• Candidates will be asked to create a writing sample during the interview process.Position is Kyiv-based, long-termWE OFFER

  Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

  Benefits: all benefits envisaged by the Labor Code of Ukraine, medical insurance for employees and immediate family members.

• Qualified candidates should send their CV and cover letter  by 30 January 2024 6:00pm Kyiv time. Interviews will be conducted on the rolling basis. Only short-listed candidates will receive notice requesting additional information