Communications Specialist, Veterans Reintegration Program at IREX

Job Details

Description

Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $100 million and more than 600 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

IREX office in Ukraine seeks a qualified professional to fill the position of Communication Specialist for the Veteran Reintegration Program (VRP). Veteran Reintegration is a two-part program that fills critical gaps in data and information on veterans and incorporates this data into tailored activities to improve the quality of and access to veteran services and promote veteran integration into the workforce.

The Communication Specialist will work under the supervision of Program Manager, with direct inputs from Program Officers and in close collaboration with all VRP team members and will support the implementation of program activities and carry out a variety of communication and organization tasks. Tasks will involve developing and implementing strategic communication initiatives that effectively convey the Veteran Reintegration Program mission, services, and impact to various stakeholders, including veterans, veterans’ family members, program partners, and the general public. Special focus will be placed on amplifying socio-psychological and employment opportunities for the program target audience using communication tools and dissemination of information among representatives of the veterans’ community. The Communication Specialist will be providing day-to-day communication support to all VRP components.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
• 3+ years of proven relevant experience in communications, public relations, or marketing roles, particularly in the non-profit sector.
• Excellent command of English language and Ukrainian is required.
• Background in media sphere, work in veteran community sphere will be a strong advantage.
• Proficiency in content creation and management for digital platforms, including social media, websites, and email campaigns.
• Familiarity with media relations practices and techniques.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Proven expertise in developing and executing effective social media strategies.
• Proficiency across diverse social media platforms for engagement, content promotion, and brand enhancement.
• Analytical acumen to optimize strategies and content using social media insights.
• Skillful creation of engaging visual content, encompassing graphics, videos, and multimedia elements.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office applications.
• Must be skilled at handling multiple tasks and able to adhere to tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with political, economic, and social issues in Ukraine.
• Ability to work independently to achieve tasks, as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory.
• Knowledge of veteran reintegration issues and related resources is a strong asset.
• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted work authorization in Ukraine.

Your Daily Tasks

• Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies that align with the VRP’s goals and objectives through crafting messages for different Program target audiences.
• Work closely with VRP Program Team to gather information, success stories, and data that can be leveraged for communication efforts.
• Create engaging and informative content, including articles, success stories, press releases, social media posts, newsletters, and multimedia materials (videos, graphics, etc.) to highlight VRP results, programmatic updates, and relevant resources.
• Cultivate relationships with leading media outlets and journalists to facilitate increased outreach and coverage of the content developed.
• Prepare media kits, and other materials to effectively communicate key milestones and events, as needed.
• Develop the VRP’s social media strategy, aligning it with the overall communication goals and program objectives.
• Create visually appealing content including images, text, and short videos in accordance with the VRP content plan.
• Regularly update and manage the program’s social media channels to foster engagement, share programmatic updates, and amplify VRP results.
• Review documents and materials intended for use within and outside the organization to ensure consistency and validity of messages communicated across the VRP Program components.
• Organize and participate in VRP Program events, workshops, and outreach activities, as well as Program target audiences directly.
• As needed, lead the development of technical specifications for external contractors, such as graphic designers, printing companies, videographers, and web developers, for the creation of high-quality communication materials. Provide clear guidance and feedback to ensure the alignment of their work with the VRP’s messaging and branding.
• Lead the organization of press conferences to highlight the results or activities of the VR program, as needed.
• Ensure communication oversight and the successful implementation of the communication strategy for conferences organized by the VR program.
• Contribute to the preparation of VRP Program reports for internal use and Donor reporting purposes.
• Ensure consistent representation of the VRP Program’s brand identity, mission, and values in all communications.
• Oversee development, writing, improvement, and finalization of communication materials developed by others, including subgrantees working under VRP.
• Establish communication with national and regional journalists, leaders of the public opinion, communication specialists from NGOs that provide support for veterans and veterans family members.
• Facilitate working group discussions or roundtables with external stakeholders, as needed.
• Sensitize VRP partners, NGOs, and other international organizations to the VRP’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts.
• Monitor information about new projects, organizations, initiatives that working on supporting veterans in social-psychology or employment direction, spread this information with team and establish partnerships if needed.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and veteran supporting organizations, to increase Program communication outreach and ensure consistent messaging and branding across all communications.
• Oversee the effective implementation of informational campaigns and communication that supports external events.
• Process invoices, review financial documents, and other external contractor’s documentation, required for the implementation of assigned communication responsibilities.
• Provide financial projections for budget tracker.
• Prepare and analyze budgets and budget proposals for communication activities.
• Create effective VRP communication and advocacy messages/strategies.
• Contribute to the elaboration of a VRP communication strategy by identifying and prioritizing audiences and messages.
• Provide guidance to the VR team on proper communication strategies.
• Identify new approaches and strategies that promote the use of communication tools and mechanisms.
• Other duties as assigned.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship. 

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.