Consultant - Communications Consultant (Culture Sector)new

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Hiring Unit : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station : Ukraine

Work location : On site

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) : 10/11/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW

“Fostering Social Cohesion and Community Recovery through Creative Industries, Cultural Exchanges and Support to the Literature Sector in Ukraine.” The project promotes culture and creativity as contributors to social inclusion, well-being and community recovery amid the ongoing war.  The project’s seven complementary activities focus on support to the literary sector, international cultural exchange and intercultural cooperation, inclusive access to cultural services, and the role of culture and creative industries in well-being, social reintegration and community recovery. They engage cultural professionals, institutions and communities across Ukraine, with particular attention to war-affected populations and groups facing barriers to cultural participation.

The diversity of activities, implementing partners and target audiences requires coordinated communication to ensure that information is accurate, accessible and consistently presented. Dedicated support is needed to document implementation and results, communicate participants’ experiences, facilitate public engagement and ensure appropriate acknowledgement of UNESCO and the Government of Flanders. The Communications Consultant will support content planning and production, liaison with implementing partners, and communication coverage of activities, many of which take place in Lviv. Communication will primarily address Ukrainian-speaking audiences through relevant institutional, partner and media channels, while supporting information exchange with international partners and UNESCO colleagues.

ASSIGNMENTS

To ensure timely, accurate and coordinated communication of the project’s activities and results, highlighting UNESCO’s work with Ukrainian partners and the support of the Government of Flanders. The assignment will strengthen public awareness, improve access to information and promote opportunities for cultural participation through cooperation with Ukrainian public authorities, municipal institutions, cultural organizations, implementing partners and media.

Outreach will primarily engage Ukrainian-speaking audiences through UNESCO and partner channels, with selected English-language content supporting international outreach and coordination. All communication products will acknowledge partners’ contributions and comply with UNESCO and donor visibility requirements. 

Long Description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine and the direct supervision of the Head of the Culture Unit, the consultant shall undertake the following tasks in coordination with the designated communications representative and the Flanders project focal point:

Communication Planning and Content Development

•    Prepare and maintain a communication plan and content calendar aligned with project activities, identifying priority audiences, key messages, channels and publication opportunities.
•    Propose and develop stories showcasing work on the ground, participants’ experiences and the contribution of cultural participation to inclusion and community recovery.
•    Research, draft and edit articles, news items, press releases, website content, social media posts, video scripts, talking points and briefing materials, primarily in Ukrainian. Prepare selected English-language summaries and coordination materials as required.
•    Collect and verify facts, quotations and results with the project team and partners, and submit materials for UNESCO review before publication.

Partner Communication and Donor Visibility

•    Serve as the project’s day-to-day communication liaison with implementing partners and coordinate outreach with Ukrainian public authorities, municipal institutions, cultural organizations and UNESCO communications colleagues.
•    Compile and share a practical partner guidance package using UNESCO-approved materials and confirmed Flanders requirements, covering logos, acknowledgement wording, applicable disclaimers, social media references and review procedures.
•    Review partner posts, printed materials, banners and multimedia products for accuracy, consistent messaging and appropriate visibility; follow up on corrections and approvals.
•    Identify opportunities to adapt and share content across UNESCO, partner and relevant institutional channels to broaden its reach.

Event Coverage and Media Relations

•    Plan and provide communication support before, during and after priority project activities, including in-person coverage in Lviv and authorized field visits, as required.
•    Prepare announcements, press materials and event summaries; facilitate interviews with participants, partners and UNESCO representatives.
•    Liaise with relevant media and support coverage of project events, public presentations and donor visits in coordination with UNESCO communications colleagues.

Visual Content and Creative Production

•    Collect and organize partner-produced photographs and videos, identify gaps in coverage and coordinate additional documentation, building on partners’ agreed communication deliverables.
•    Draft clear briefs, specifications and measurable deliverables for photographers, videographers, graphic designers and other creative service providers; coordinate their work and review outputs.
•    Prepare basic visual adaptations for publication and, where necessary, take photographs, record short videos or undertake basic editing within the agreed workplan and available resources.
•    Ensure that participant stories and visual materials respect consent and privacy, particularly when working with veterans and war-affected participants. Check credits and permissions and include captions, subtitles or alternative text where relevant.

Monitoring and Reporting

•    Monitor publications, media coverage and digital communication results, including available audience reach and engagement statistics.
•    Maintain a publication tracker and an organized archive of approved content, editable files, photographs, videos, credits and consent records, with appropriate access controls.
•    Prepare concise communication updates and verified inputs for project and donor reports, summarizing outputs, results and lessons learned.
•    Recommend practical improvements to content and outreach based on communication performance and audience feedback.

Undertake other communication-related tasks directly linked to the project, upon mutual agreement with the supervisor and relevant colleagues and within the assignment’s scope.

CONTRACT DURATION

Duration: mid November 2026–June 2027, with exact dates to be confirmed. The assignment may be extended until September 2027, subject to funding availability and project implementation requirements.

• Duty station: Lviv, Ukraine (with possible travel within Ukraine).
• Working arrangement: Part-time, deliverable-based consultancy. The level of effort and delivery schedule will be agreed with the selected consultant, including availability for coordination meetings and in-person coverage of selected project activities.
• Direct supervisor: Head of Culture Unit at UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine, in close coordination with the Flanders project Focal point.

DELIVERABLES

The consultant shall provide the following indicative deliverables:

•    Communication and visibility plan: A project communication plan and regularly updated content calendar covering priority audiences, key messages, channels and planned outputs.
•    Partner guidance package: Approved communication and visibility materials, including logos, acknowledgement wording and procedures for review and publication.
•    Content and event communication packages: Written and visual materials supporting project activities, public outreach and event coverage, primarily in Ukrainian, with selected English-language inputs.
•    Creative production documentation: Briefs, specifications and expected outputs for external service providers, where required, together with consolidated feedback on their work.
•    Monthly communication updates: Summaries of completed outputs, publication links, media coverage, available audience statistics and upcoming priorities.
•    Communication archive and handover: An organized, regularly maintained collection of approved materials, editable files, visual assets, permissions and publication records, accompanied by a final summary of results and pending tasks.

Long Description

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• University degree in communications, journalism, public relations, media studies, cultural studies, international relations or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    At least five years of relevant professional experience in communications, journalism, public information, media relations or digital communication
•    Proven track record of independently planning and delivering communication activities, taking responsibility for results and proposing approaches suited to project objectives and audiences.
•    Demonstrated experience drafting and editing communication materials for institutional audiences, websites and social media, supported by a portfolio of relevant work.
•    Experience planning event communication, coordinating with implementing partners and applying institutional branding and donor visibility requirements.
•    Experience developing human-interest stories, conducting interviews and coordinating photography, video or design production.
•    Experience monitoring communication performance and preparing reports using publication records, media coverage, audience reach and engagement statistics.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Proactive and autonomous working approach, with the ability to identify communication opportunities, propose solutions and follow assignments through to completion.
•    Strong organizational and coordination skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively with partners.
•    Ability to translate communication needs into clear production briefs and measurable deliverables for photographers, videographers, graphic designers and other creative service providers, and to review the quality of their outputs.
•    Ability to prepare basic visual and written content for social media, using available digital tools and adapting materials to different audiences and platforms.
•    Attention to detail in editing, branding, donor acknowledgement, and reporting.
•    Candidates must be available to provide in-person coverage of project activities in Ukraine and meet any applicable legal requirements for undertaking the consultancy in Ukraine.

LANGUAGES  

•    Excellent command of Ukrainian, with strong writing and editing skills for public-facing communication.
•    English proficiency at a minimum of B2 level, sufficient for communication with international partners and UNESCO colleagues and preparation of routine written inputs.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information.

Applications must reach UNESCO by 11 November 2026 (midnight, Kyiv time).

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.