Communications Advisor

Communications Advisor will support upcoming Health System Strengthening Project in Ukraine (U.S. Government funded) through planning, design, and implementation of all communication activities. Managing the project’s digital and social media presence; monitoring relevant media coverage; and coordinating external units and vendors engaged in communications and event work.

Communications Advisor will report to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Principal Advisor.

The Communications Advisor ensures the project effectively documents and shares its results with key stakeholders in Ukraine and globally through high-quality, consistent, and compelling communications products, in line with the project’s approved U.S. Government Branding Implementation and Marking Plan. The role tracks relevant media coverage to inform the project newsletter and internal team awareness, and identifies, engages, and coordinates external units and vendors (e.g., event vendors, designers, production studios) as needed to deliver communications and event work.

The Communications Advisor works closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) function to ensure communications content is accurate and evidence-based, and follows standard review protocols, including sign-off from project leadership and the donor (U.S. Government). This position’s responsibilities are cross-functional and support all work streams. The Communications Advisor also supervises the work of the contracted designer, partners with technical teams to implement communications activities with government counterparts, and supports the MERL Principal Advisor, in developing project’s work plan and budget for the communications component.

MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, design, and develop project communications products in line with the approved annual/project workplan.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with the project’s U.S. Government Branding Implementation and Marking Plan.
• Develop a social media strategy for the project period, including a content cadence and plan.
• Ensure all communications activities, products, and tools follow standard review protocols, including sign-off from project leadership and the donor (U.S. Government).
• Partner with technical teams to implement communications activities with government counterparts, including negotiating scopes of work, ongoing monitoring, troubleshooting, and reporting on outcomes.
• Coordinate with other U.S. Government-funded projects, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations on communications issues; maintain awareness of current standards, tools, and methodologies.
• Develop, edit, and disseminate a monthly project newsletter (English and Ukrainian).
• Identify and draft success stories highlighting human impact (patients, health workers, policymakers, institutions), coordinating with the MEL function to ensure content is compelling and evidence-based.
• Develop feature/human-interest stories and other periodic communications products.
• Prepare synthesis/highlights packages summarizing key achievements, reforms, statistics, quotes, and communications-ready materials for knowledge sharing, presentations, and digital dissemination.
• Maintain a repository of approved communications assets (quotes, photographs, key statistics, short summaries) for reuse across products and digital storytelling.
• Adapt communications products into formats suitable for MSH global communications channels, digital platforms, and social media.
• Lead the project’s social media presence on MSH and partner channels, in collaboration with the MSH global communications office, including captions, visuals, and partner tagging to support amplification.
• Track engagement metrics for newsletters and social media content and summarize key insights in periodic reports.
• Track and observe media coverage relevant to the project and the health sector on an ongoing basis.
• Compile a regular media monitoring digest/summary for inclusion in the project newsletter and for internal team use.
• Flag relevant coverage, risks, or communications opportunities to project leadership as they arise.
• Lead design and implementation of project events (e.g., an end-of-project event), including event messaging, visual materials, and communications outputs to support promotion and documentation.
• Identify, engage, and coordinate external units and vendors as needed (e.g., event vendors, designers, production studios, printers), including scoping, timelines, quality review, and budget tracking.
• Supervise the work of the contracted/part-time designer and coordinate with MSH global communications support staff to ensure consistent, high-quality outputs.
• Prepare monthly consolidated coordination reports summarizing communications activities accomplished.
• Work under the direction of the Principal Advisor, MERL, ensuring communications content and priorities remain aligned with project MEL evidence and strategy.
• Support the Principal Advisor, MERL, in developing project`s work plan and budget for the communications component.
• Contribute to quarterly, annual, and ad hoc project reports for the U.S. Government, Ministry of Health, or others, including strong visualization of communications-related results and progress.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures for organizing, documenting, and distributing communications-related project knowledge and experience through relevant channels.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor’s degree (or MA degree) in communications, journalism, public relations, social sciences, or related field.

Preferred: Master’s degree in a related field.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Required:

• 5 years of experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.

Preferred:

• 7 or more years of experience, including prior experience managing external vendors, agencies, or contractors.
• Prior experience working on U.S. Government-funded or other donor-funded projects.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Experience in journalistic writing and demonstrated ability to translate complex concepts into easily digestible communications materials.
• Familiarity with the health or social sector in Ukraine, including recent government reforms and relevant stakeholders.
• Experience working with Government of Ukraine executive bodies (ministries, state agencies).
• Knowledge of Graphic design principles, with emphasis on infographics.
• Experience monitoring and synthesizing media coverage for internal or external audiences.
• Experience coordinating and managing external vendors, agencies, or service providers (e.g., event vendors, designers, production studios).
• Strong project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables and deadlines.
• Proficiency with standard digital and social media platforms and content tools.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and advocacy skills; ability to coordinate effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Network in Ukrainian media and familiarity with the media landscape
• Excellent spoken and written English and Ukrainian.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. MSH complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and all related applicable regulations.

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