Ukraine Crisis Response (UCR) - Communications Director in Bucuresti

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.Come join our 34,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!Employee Contract Type:International Assignment - Fixed Term (Fixed Term)Job Description:Possible position locations: Romania, Ukraine, Poland, MoldovaApplication Deadline: We will be accepting applications until the right candidate is found.The escalation of conflict in Ukraine has forced more than 5 million people - mostly women and children - to flee to neighbouring countries. With the escalating crisis, the needs are growing by the hour. More than half of Ukraine's children have either fled for safety within the country or are living as refugees.Since the conflict started, our teams have been on the ground assessing and responding to the urgent needs of those searching for safety. We are currently scaling up our multi-country response across three countries (Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine) and are recruiting for many key positions that will make a direct impact on the lives of people who have been caught up in conflict.HERE'S WHERE YOU COME IN:As the Communications Director, you will manage communications for World Vision’s Ukraine Crisis Response (UCR), a multi-country response covering Ukraine, Romania and Moldova (with a dotted line to Georgia, who manage their response individually, but who should be consulted for things such as SitReps). This includes managing a team of two to ensure a steady stream of written, video and photographic and media materials that can meet Support Office media, social media, and marketing needs.You will also oversee the response’s overall messaging, train and support response spokespeople, and manage media and VIP visits to the response.Finally, in collaboration with response knowledge management, you will manage the SitRep and flow of information to World Vision offices, that help profile and market World Vision International humanitarian and emergency response work, both at local and international levels.The role reports to the Response Director, with a dotted line to World Vision's Middle East and Eastern Europe Regional Office (MEERO) Regional Advocacy and Communications Director, and works in partnership with World Vision Romania’s management and communications team for aspects of the response based in Romania. The response communications team will provide support and resources to enable the World Vision partnership to appropriately engage with its various audiences in order to raise funds and the profile of the organization.MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIESDonor/Public Engagement CommunicationsProvide leadership with communications support through content creation and dissemination, ensuring information is shared among staff and key internal audiences and external partners, using appropriate platforms.Coordinate with response team, Global Centre ( Public Engagement team, and Regional Office Communications to identify key audiences (funding, advocacy, partnering, influence, community) and craft a focused communications (or external engagement) plan, objectives, activities and plans to deliver and evaluate themEnsure content complies with child protection and informed consent protocols and treats subjects with dignity.Provide communications support to promote grant, technical and sector function positioning and visibilityMonitor and manage reputation risk issues associated with emergency responses and comply with World Vision risk reporting protocols.Establish processes to deliver rapid sign-off of messaging and content in collaboration with response managers and the response teamAdvocacy CommunicationsCollaborate with response, global and regional advocacy colleagues to define key issues, messaging, and communications channels for public advocacy initiatives in fragile contexts.Collect and develop multi-media advocacy stories, write and publish over web or social media.Help plan and execute communications plans for advocacy campaigns in a support or lead capacity.Internal CommunicationsEstablish response communications systems and processes to generate content in coordination with resource acquisition and management teams.Identify, brief and train spokespeople to ensure professional on-message media engagement that promotes World Vision’s response operations.Contribute to the production and dissemination of response reports (including SitReps).Work with Response Director/Manager and other emergency functions to provide regular updates to the region and partnership.With support from the Regional Office and guidance, execute required Communications Policies and Communications Strategy, ensure staff understanding and monitor for compliance.Set-up and regularly update the Ukraine Response website and appeal pages on wvi.orgMedia Communications Liaise with Support Office, Global Centre and other WV entity communications to pursue, prioritize, coordinate, pitch, react to and manage media interviews, opportunities and content, including development of press releases.Facilitate local and international media visits to market & profile WV’s responseEnsure all materials are shared via WV Relief, MS Teams chats, and other networks as appropriate.Develop and update response narrative, key messages, Q&As and guidelines in order to proactively and effectively position the humanitarian crisis and World Vision’s response.Develop and maintain key media contacts and build relationships with different media houses.Coordinate, plan and facilitate VIP visits from other World Vision/external partners.Coordinate with Security and Administration to brief VIPs on cultural and contextual issues, key messages and prepare VIPs to serve as spokespersons or ambassadors.Support the handling and management of all media crisis communications within the guidelines of the Regional Office and WVI.BrandingEnsure WV brand is uniformly implemented across the response, working with WV partner organizations, program managers as appropriate.Analyse the humanitarian, media, political, security and response landscape for positioning opportunities and risk management in order to advise leadership (WV risk specialists) and effectively position World Vision, the response and humanitarian issuesUnderstands World Vision’s brand - ensures conformity.Ensures the response effectively positions itself with a clear narrative, key messages and Q&As, in alignment with the response communications strategy.REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONSBA in journalism or communications/public relations or at least 3 years (or more) relevant working experience in a related field.HEAT or SAINT security trainingAt least 8 years prior work experience.English language fluency (written and verbal).Excellent writing and photography skills.Excellent interpersonal skills (specifically working with people from various cultures). Ability to form and maintain solid relationships with a wide range of different stakeholders, partners, co-workersHigh level of confidence and confidentiality.Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite (Lightroom, Premiere Pro, InDesign)PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONSMinimum of 5 years of experience in Communications and with a thorough understanding of all areas of project management cycles in a complex, international organizationExperience of 2-3 years in Leadership role within the core strategic teamStrong networking and negotiations skills Demonstrated ability in financial management skillsGood interpersonal, organizational and time management skills. Able to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.Experience working in an emergency context.Excellent video skills.Experience updating a web CMS and creating content for social media.Understanding of political sensitivities and experience in advocacy roles.Experience working with media and drafting key messages.Team player with good organizational skills.Track record of trying new ideas and innovation Demonstrable experience in child development and issues affecting most vulnerable childrenAbility to maintain performance expectations in a continuously changing environmentExcellent written and verbal communication and relational skills, especially in a cross-cultural environment, and ability to analyze and solve problems, persuade, network and negotiate.Ability to solve complex problems and exercise independent judgment.Active listeningTRAVEL AND/OR WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTOffice-based with frequent travel to the field.30% travel between response countries and to project sites is expected.Out of hours work: 10% (occasional last-minute requests or media interest may require out of hours work) and field and media visits may take place over weekendsOncall: Always except on leaveRussian or Ukrainian language skills would be a bonusApplicant Types Accepted:Local and International Applicants (IA's) Accepted