Communications and Events Senior Specialist at Chemonics International

Chemonics International, a global consulting and international development firm, seeks a Communications and Events Senior Specialist, long-term position, for the USAID Competitive Economy Program (CEP). CEP is a five-year program funded by the US Agency for International Development. The purpose of CEP is to support startup businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increase domestic market competition, and support the competitiveness of Ukrainian firms in international markets. CEP achieves these objectives through five components: improve the business-enabling environment and business climate, support emerging industries, promote export capabilities, support WTO participation and compliance, and help lower costs of trade across Ukraine’s borders.

As a member of the communications team, the Communications and Events Senior Specialist (Senior Specialist) is responsible for supporting CEP’s communications efforts, including through reports, success stories, publications, online and in-person events, social media, videos, and other communication channels, particularly social media. Under the leadership of the Communications Director, and consistent with CEP’s communications strategy, the Senior Specialist works with other members of the communications team, as well as with technical and operations staff, to proactively manage clear and consistent messages about the objectives and work of CEP to USAID, the public, government counterparts, and private sector stakeholders. Further, the Senior Specialist leads organizational planning, management, and general administrative support for all local and international events, including online, in-person, and hybrid workshops, consultative meetings, and training programs that are organized or co-organized by CEP. The Senior Specialist serves as the main point of contact for organizers and partners and manages vendor relationships to support the preparation and execution of events. S/he collaborates closely with the communications and technical teams, government counterparts, local stakeholders, and USAID to ensure seamless preparation and implementation of all events. The Senior Specialist coordinates with the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) team to ensure outcomes and results are appropriately captured in program reporting. The Senior Specialist is responsible for ensuring that all program communications, materials and events, including activities of program grantees, are implemented in compliance with USAID rules and regulations and Chemonics policies, procedures, and standards.

The Senior Specialist’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Craft content for various communications channels, press releases, success stories, talking points, public outreach materials, websites, social media posts, and multimedia, targeting a variety of audiences.
• Assist with maintaining and adding new content daily to the project’s social media platform.
• Under the leadership of the Communications Director and – in cooperation with communications, operations, technical, and MEL staff – implement clear and consistent communications about all program activities and achievements.
• Support the preparation of program reports, bullets, stories, posts, etc. to publicize project achievements to USAID and internal and external audiences.
• Travel into the field to report on project activities or to support implementation of events as required.
• Liaising with grantees to ensure USAID’s branding and marking requirements.
• Manage the scheduling and preparation of multiple events, monitor and ensure the effective execution of events, including all logistical arrangements.
• Collaborate effectively with technical teams to ensure optimal event design, format (e.g., online, in-person, or hybrid), and sequence of events.
• Coordinate logistical details of events with venues and vendors, including for online events, and liaise effectively with the CEP operations and procurement teams.
• Coordinate technical details of events with technical teams responsible for the technical execution of respective events, including the timely preparation of all printed and online materials, videos, and other event resources (e.g., projectors, boards, exhibits, etc.).
• Track expenditures of each event against the approved budget.
• Ensure effective communications relating to each event.
• In coordination with program teams, prepare and update weekly the CEP Monthly Activity Schedule for submission to USAID.
• For U.S. study visits, in coordination with the MEL team, ensure that pre-tests, post-tests, and evaluations are conducted as required, and that events details are uploaded into the USAID TraiNet system (official training data management system that is accessed from a web browser and the entry point for data about training programs and participants in their country of origin, a third country, or for potential exchange visitors who will come to the United States on a USAID J-1 visa).
• Collaborate and guide support personnel from CEP, government counterparts, and local stakeholders.
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with high-level representatives from the government, private sector, and USAID.
• Report promptly to program leadership on challenges and/or significant event outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations, and Chemonics policies, procedures, and standards.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party, Communications Director or their designee.

The required and/or preferred qualifications for the Senior Specialist position are:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, hospitality, management, public relations or related field required.
• At least four years of relevant work experience, with demonstrated knowledge and skills in communications required.
• Specific experience working with economic topics preferred.
• Experience working with international organizations or NGOs preferred, and experience with USAID programs is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and capacity to independently lead media relations, publishing, and events communications in cooperation with Ukrainian media, government, and private sector required.
• Proven experience with public event management and conducting communications campaigns, including through social media to a wide audience required.
• Proficiency with MS Office software, and basic knowledge of software packages (i.e. Photoshop, Illustrator, video editing software like Adobe Premier) preferred.
• Advanced written and oral communications skills for working in Ukrainian and English required.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with appropriate problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.

Application Instructions:

Please send a CV and brief letter of interest in English indicating related experience and achievements by March 21, 2023. Please note the position is open for Ukrainian citizens only. The post of assignment is CEP’s Kyiv office. Candidates will be reviewed and interviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

2023-03-07T11:18:15.000 2023-03-21T23:59:59.000 TELECOMMUTE Україна Chemonics Inc./CEP