Director of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication and Media (Ukraine Response)

Save the Children International 

Save the Children International is a leading global humanitarian organization that has been protecting children's rights worldwide for over 100 years. We operate in more than 100 countries, responding to emergencies, implementing innovative development programs, and advocating for children's rights on a global scale.

Our work in Ukraine began in 2014. Since then, we have significantly expanded our presence, providing support to children and families affected by war. Our key areas of focus include education, child protection, food security, social support, and advocacy to drive lasting change in children's lives.

ROLE PURPOSE

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in the CO, the Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media (ACCM) Director shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office. The ACCM Director in his/her capacity is responsible for providing leadership to ensure excellence in our public and private facing advocacy, campaigning, media and communications on the humanitarian crisis and situation of children in Ukraine as well as our longer-term development work.

The purpose of the role is to lead and manage the external and internal Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media work for the Ukraine Country Office including the advocacy strategy development and implementation as a prioritized response, supporting the priority programmatic areas, such as Child Protection, Education in Emergencies, and humanitarian space/operational space issues. The role will support the Senior Management Team in risk mapping, mitigation and management on issues identified as most relevant for the CO, and develop policy analysis and strategic planning in response to those issues.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to:

• Leadership of the Ukraine Country Office
• Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects the full programming spectrum (humanitarian and development) values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and supports staff to deliver outstanding results for children.
• Help design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to country office needs
• Develop risk mitigation management plans in response to SMT, regional office, centre (HQ), or Member identified risks to the delivery of quality programs for children with focus and ownership on ‘Speaking Out’.
• Ensure strong linkages between Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media function and other Directors on the SMT so that advocacy is well resourced, evidence-based and program driven and that programs are enhanced through advocacy.

Advocacy Strategy Development and Implementation

• Lead Ukraine’s Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media team with a clear vision and integrated workplan and objectives, securing buy-in from key internal stakeholders. 
• Lead the country office’s strategy to protect children in conflict, ensuring coordination and engagement across all departments to deliver on the strategic objectives.      The postholder will hold primary responsibility for risk mitigation and management associated with the delivery on this strategy, including current advocacy priorities related to 1) humanitarian access, 2) EU accession and early recovery, 3) de-institutionalisation of children and 4) return of forcibly transferred children from outside of Ukraine
• Revise, strengthen and implement the Country Office’s overall advocacy strategy, identify policy and practice change, on the basis of Save the Children’s experience, that would promote and protect the rights of children in Ukraine.
• Based on Save the Children (SC) program priorities, and identified priority issues for children, develop key advocacy messages and identify targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation.
• Develop and implement advocacy objectives and initiatives, both short and long term, encompassing a wide range of issues and audiences.
• Develop and implement a plan for national level advocacy and influencing as part of the overall advocacy strategy, involving partners, technical experts and national actors where appropriate.
• Work with the Ukraine Advocacy Group and the Global Advocacy Team to develop and implement and plan for international advocacy, identifying key strands of work to be collectively taken forward by the organization 
• Ensure that the Ukraine Advocacy Group has the resources it needs to complete agreed objectives and activities through regular high-quality written updates and briefings

Situation and advocacy analysis

• Working closely with programs, provide analysis of how children have been affected by the crisis in Ukraine, the national policy responses and policy frameworks, as well as other factors such as UN coordination, funding for the response, security and current and future challenges that have an impact on children and their access to humanitarian assistance, health, education and protection services.

External Engagement and Influencing 

• Develop good knowledge of local and national government structures (in Ukraine and in key Member capitals), parliamentary and political processes and key decision-making structures and how to influence them. 
• Undertake a range of lobbying, communications and other activities to inform and persuade policy makers, including donors and politicians, of the value of SC’s policy recommendations.
• Build systems for research, analysis and documentation that underpin evidence- based advocacy and influencing at national and international levels.
• Develop and cultivate strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in advocacy and policy work in the Ukraine. 
• Lead or support external advocacy coordination forum, including within the Ukraine Response Advocacy specific fora, supporting the Country Director in preparation for the Humanitarian Country Team and other relevant interagency fora, promoting or ensuring inclusion of Save the Children prioritized child rights issues in these essential coalition fora.
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, donors, NGO sector, civil society and the media.

Coordination & Representation

• Develop and cultivate strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in advocacy and policy work in the Ukraine. 
• Lead or support external advocacy coordination forum, including within the Ukraine Response Advocacy specific fora, supporting the Country Director in preparation for the Humanitarian Country Team and other relevant interagency fora, promoting or ensuring inclusion of Save the Children prioritized child rights issues in these essential coalition fora.
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, donors, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
• Represent SC at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at national and international levels, as directed. 
• Act as a spokesperson for Save the Children to a variety of external audiences including policy makers and the media, as directed.

Campaigns Planning and Delivery

• Lead the development of an integrated campaigns plan aligned with the country strategic plan.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Be accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Social Science, Journalism & Media or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience in progressively responsible positions at senior management levels.

Essential

• At least 10 years of experience in humanitarian or development settings, including leadership of advocacy and policy change initiatives in conflict or emergency contexts.
• Significant experience in advocacy on humanitarian issues, child rights, human rights, and development, including lobbying, policy development, and engagement with government officials.
• Proven ability to develop and implement humanitarian advocacy strategies and influence key stakeholders.
• Strong media and communications experience, including radio and TV interviews.
• Demonstrated experience in leading research, surveys, and evidence-based position development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Extensive knowledge of child rights, international humanitarian law, protection issues in conflict settings, and implications for humanitarian programming.
• Strong understanding of UN and donor operations at country level.
• High-level analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and workload management skills in complex and high-pressure environments.
• Experience managing multicultural teams and coaching staff to deliver high-quality outputs.
• Ability to manage advocacy and communications risks in high-risk settings, including development of mitigation measures.
• Cultural awareness, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in Writing and Presentation skills in English required
• Commitment to the values and principles of Save the Children.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities 

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Save the Children is committed to create a truly inclusive, effective and representative organisational culture, encouraging equity and diversity among its employees and eliminating discrimination. Having a diverse profile of employees, different age groups, backgrounds, cultures, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation etc., including a range of different experiences and capabilities helps us understand, represent and serve children better.  Therefore, all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

Child Safeguarding Policy:

We are committed to ensuring children's safety. Our recruitment process includes strict background checks and reflects our commitment to protecting children from harm.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Safeguarding, Code of Conduct and other policies.

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Application Information:

If you are interested in this position, please submit your CV and cover letter in English and include details of your salary expectation and English proficiency. 

We need to keep children and their families safe, so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the safeguarding of children from abuse.

Disclaimer:

Please be cautious of individuals who may misuse the Save the Children name to solicit fees from job seekers. We do not engage third parties or agencies to recruit candidates. If someone contacts you promising recruitment or placement at Save the Children for a fee, please do not proceed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.