Job Description

Head of Communications - Ukraine War Archive

The Ukraine War Archive (UWA)

is the largest independent multimedia archive of Russia's war in Ukraine. Over the past three years, we have collected scattered public and restricted data into a pioneering platform designed to serve justice, strengthen accountability, inform advocacy, and safeguard historical memory. Fragmented information about the war threatens to erase the truth and make justice impossible. UWA's custom-built platform secures the war's record and ensures its preservation.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Communications to lead all external communications for UWA. Over the past months, we have developed a comprehensive communications strategy for the Archive's future, and now we are looking for a professional who can bring it to life.

This hands-on role will oversee social media, website, partner engagement, events, press releases, and other channels, developing a strategic presence for the Archive both inside Ukraine and internationally. The Head of Communications will be responsible for shaping the Archive's voice, raising awareness, and ensuring all communications are accurate, professional, and impactful. In this role, "doing well" is not about producing more content. It's about building trust, clarity, and momentum around UWA's work.

Location:

Hybrid (Remote with occasional in-person meetings in London).

Term:

12-month fixed-term appointment, with the potential to transition to a permanent contract.

Salary:

Competitive, dependent on experience.

You will be expected to:

Establish a clear external narrative and messaging system (core story, positioning, key messages, proof points). Put in place a reliable communications cadence across priority channels (press, website, social, newsletters, events). Create a working media and partner engagement plan and begin executing it. Set up a practical process for sensitive communications and rapid responses. Define how we measure communications outcomes (credibility, reach, partner amplification, engagement, conversions) and start tracking consistently.

Key Responsibilities

External Communications & PR:

Implement UWA's communications strategy to increase visibility and credibility in Ukraine and abroad. Build and maintain relationships with domestic and foreign media, partners, and key stakeholders. Produce high-quality storytelling content, including press releases, statements, thought-leadership pieces, and reports. Lead crisis and sensitive issue communications, providing timely guidance and professionally drafted responses. Oversee all external channels, including social media, website, newsletters, and events, ensuring messaging consistency. Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with international media, NGOs, researchers, and advocacy networks.

Strategy Implementation & Leadership:

Translate the existing communications strategy into actionable campaigns and initiatives with clear goals, timelines, and owners. Manage and coach the communications team. Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on messaging, narrative, and media strategy. Coordinate cross-functional collaboration to integrate communications with advocacy, research, and partnership efforts.

Social Media & Digital Storytelling:

Own UWA's digital presence, ensuring social media and website content reflects the Archive's mission and strategy. Monitor digital engagement and sentiment, providing insights and recommendations to optimize impact. Develop and maintain UWA's visual and narrative identity across platforms.

Internal Communications:

Ensure internal messaging keeps teams informed, aligned, and motivated. Build or improve internal communication channels as required to support UWA's growth and operations.

What we are looking for

Strong experience leading communications or project management for organizations or high-profile projects. Including planning and execution. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in Ukrainian and English, with professional experience abroad. Strong expertise across social media, website content, press relations, and events. Experience producing high-quality press releases, articles, or media statements. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver under tight deadlines. Well-connected with international media and capable of cultivating professional relationships globally. Experience handling sensitive topics and high-stakes communications with precision.

Personal Attributes:

Strategic thinker with a proactive, results-oriented approach. Resilient, adaptable, and able to operate in a fast-moving, dynamic environment. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Passion for human rights, justice, and preserving historical truth.
If you are driven to use communications to protect history, inform the world, and ensure accountability, we want to hear from you!

Application deadline 15 January 2025.

Please send your CV, portfolio and short cover letter to info@shapechange.agency

(Your portfolio should include links to relevant work or two or three writing samples. If possible, include one example of a sensitive or crisis communication situation you worked on, with a brief note on your role.)

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: From 30,000.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London WC2B 6AA