PR Manager Recruitment for Education Reform Communication Office in Ukraine

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ( LEARN-IC-NUS-1. 11.1 – PR manager at the Education Reform Communication Office) UKRAINE Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program Grant No. TF0C5794 Assignment Title: PR manager at the Education Reform Communication Office Reference No . LEARN-IC-NUS-1.11.1 The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is implementing projects financed by the World Bank, including: Ukraine Improving Higher Education for Results Project (UIHERP) and Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program (LEARN) Program and plans to prepare and implement new operations in cooperation with the World Bank (hereinafter referred to as the Operation(s)) UIHERP Project Development Objective is to improve efficiency, conditions for quality, and transparency in the higher education system of Ukraine. LEARN was developed to address critical challenges and provide essential support to the education sector, aligning with the Ministry of Education and Science’s (MoES) Strategic Action Plan. The PR Manager will be responsible for fostering public trust, increasing awareness of MoES policies and initiatives, and strengthening collaboration with national and international stakeholders. The Consultant will be contracted through competitive selection in line with Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Feb 2025. The detailed Terms of Reference and submission modalities for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expression of Interest. MOES now invites qualified interested persons to submit their expression of interest in Ukrainian and English as provided in the Terms of reference. The deadline for submission of applications is 16:00 am Kyiv time January 27, 2026. TERMS OF REFERENCE for Consulting Services (Individual Consultant) PR manager at the Education Reform Communication Office Contract No. LEARN-IC-NUS-1.11.1 Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program URTF Grant No. TF0C5794

• BACKGROUND

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is implementing projects financed by the World Bank, including: Ukraine Improving Higher Education for Results Project (UIHERP) and Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program (LEARN) Program and plans to prepare and implement new operations in cooperation with the World Bank (hereinafter referred to as the Operation(s)). UIHERP Ukraine and the IBRD have signed Loan Agreement No. 9238-UA of US$200 million for the Project "Ukraine: Improving Higher Education for Results" (hereinafter referred to as UIHERP). UIHERP is implemented in Ukraine by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) with the support of the World Bank Group. UIHERP implementation period is 2021-2026. UIHERP Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve efficiency, conditions for quality, and transparency in the higher education system of Ukraine. UIHERP includes six parts: Part 1: Sector-Wide Improvements to Governance, Financing, Quality, and Transparency. Part 2: Alliances/Partnerships for Improved Efficiency and Quality. Part 3: Capacity Building and Education Environment Enhancement. Part 4: Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation Part 5: Component 5: Support to Academic Scholarships under MoES and Social Scholarships under MOSP for Higher Education Students Part 6: Contingent Emergency Response (CERC) UIHERP supports two categories of expenditures: (i) traditional investments in goods, works, and services, for which disbursements are made against eligible expenditures, and (ii) defined performance-based conditions (PBCs), for which disbursements are also made against eligible expenditures conditional on the achievement of the PBCs as defined in the Loan Agreement and UIHERP Operational Manual. More detailed information is given at the link https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P171050 LEARN Ukraine and World bank have signed the agreements for the Program “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program” (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Program). LEARN total financing is US$415 million using a combination of the World Bank’s financial instruments: Program-for-Results (PforR) complementing by Investment Project Financing (IPF). The Program-for-Results (PforR) is implemented through a US$235 million credit provided by Bank resources, supported by credit enhancement from the Advancing Needed Credit Enhancement for Ukraine (ADVANCE Ukraine) Trust Fund, which is backed by the Government of Japan. This is formalized under the Financing Agreement between Ukraine and the International Development Association for the Program (CREDIT NUMBER 7626-UA). An additional US$150 million is provided under the Special Program for Ukraine and Moldova Recovery (SPUR) of the International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Facility, as outlined in the Loan Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Program (LOAN NUMBER 9721-UA). Furthermore, US$30 million in Investment Project Financing (IPF) is secured under the Grant Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, acting as the administrator of the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund (URTF GRANT NUMBER TF0C5794). LEARN was developed to address critical challenges and provide essential support to the education sector, aligning with the Ministry of Education and Science’s (MoES) Strategic Action Plan. LEARN will focus on supporting the Strategic Action Plan Priority 2: School education and the New Ukrainian School (NUS). The continuation of the NUS reform is a key priority of the MoES. The objectives of the Program are to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) strengthen management capacity of the education system. The Program is implemented in Ukraine by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) with the support of the World Bank Group. The implementation period is 2024-2027. More detailed information is given at the link https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P504171 Management of the above Operations is implemented by World Bank Operation Management Unit also referred as Project Implementation Unit (WBOMU/PIU) established to support MoES with day-to-day the operation management and coordination in administration, disbursement, procurement, financial management, monitoring and expert support compliance with environmental and social standards, reporting and other activities, including preparation and expansion of existing operations. Effective communication and PR is a key instrument for building trust in education reforms, shaping public perception, and ensuring stakeholder engagement. The Operation of the World Bank is inlined with the Strategic Action Plan and Communications vision of the Ministry. The Consultant will be contracted through competitive selection in line with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Sep 2023. This Terms of References defines the purpose, Scope and duration of consulting services and qualification requirements for the Consultant.

• OBJECTIVE

The objective of this assignment is to enhance the public perception and visibility of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) by developing and executing a comprehensive public relations strategy, aligned with the MoES Strategic Action Plan and the Operation of the World Bank, ensuring transparent communication, proactive media engagement and effective reputation management. The PR Manager will be responsible for fostering public trust, increasing awareness of MoES policies and initiatives, and strengthening collaboration with national and international stakeholders.

• SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Consultant shall provide the following services, including but not limited to:

• Develop and implement public relations campaigns to support the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES), ensuring alignment with the MoES Strategic Action Plan and the goals of the World Bank–supported LEARN and UIHERP projects.
• Create and deliver tactical PR action plans as part of the broader MoES communication strategy, focusing on key reform areas such as inclusive education, school safety, digital transformation, and higher education recovery.
• Manage media relations: draft and distribute press releases, message boxes, op-eds, feature stories, digests, and media plans related to MoES reforms and initiatives under LEARN and UIHERP.
• Organize and provide PR support for MoES-hosted and partner events, ensuring appropriate messaging, media coverage, and stakeholder engagement.
• Conduct PR analytics and media monitoring of MoES communication activities, its leadership, project narratives, and education-related topics in the public sphere.
• Manage crisis communication efforts, including the development of response protocols, media handling during reputational risks, and proactive issue mitigation.
• Foster cooperation with national and regional media outlets, influencers, and thought leaders to promote the visibility and credibility of MoES initiatives and World Bank–backed education reforms.
• Ensure consistency of public messaging and support reputation-building of MoES as a transparent, reform-driven institution.
• REPORTING

PR manager at Education Reform Communication Office reports directly to the Projects Coordinator. For operational matters, works in coordination with the Head of the World Bank Operations Management unit (project implementing unit). The Consultant shall submit monthly reports in hard copy. The reports shall include a description of the Consultant's services during the reporting period and time sheets.

• PROVIDED RESOURCES

MoES shall provide the Consultant with the information necessary to carry out his/her assignment in a timely manner. MoES shall provide the Consultant with a workplace, including necessary equipment to carry out his/her functions (e.g. PC, communications and office equipment).

• QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements (mandatory):

• At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of PR, communications, or media
• At least 2 years of experience in collaboration with national and local government authorities
• Experience of collaboration with international financial or donor organizations
• Strong understanding of media relations and reputation management in the public sector.
• Proficiency in Ukrainian and at an Upper-Intermediate level of spoken and written English

Desired skills and qualifications:

• Experience in managing public awareness and advocacy campaigns related to education or social policy.
• Strong knowledge of MoES reform principles and objectives, including education sector transformations.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail for media monitoring and PR impact assessment.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership building, including collaboration with NGOs, donors, government institutions, and the business sector.
• Proven ability to engage top-tier national and international media, build long-term media relationships, and secure high-impact coverage.
• Experience in crisis communication and reputation risk management in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, handle high uncertainty, and adapt communication strategies to rapidly changing contexts.
• PERIOD AND LOCATION OF EMPLOYMENT

The consultant shall provide his services until 31.12.2026 with potential prolongation till the end of the Operation(s). The Consultant shall provide services on a full-time basis. The services are planned to be rendered in Kyiv, Ukraine. It is expected that the Consultant may provide the Services remotely with mandatory presence upon request to be in the premises of MoES. The Consultant should be required and expected to take business trips to other regions of Ukraine to support the implementation of the Operations. The terms of the contract and the work schedule are subject to negotiation.

• APPLICATION PACKAGE

Interested persons should submit their CVs in Ukrainian and English at the following email address: kateryna.kovtun@mon.gov.ua, Cc: serhiy.artemenko@uiherp.org and marina.chubenko@mon.gov.ua indicating the email subject: " LEARN-IC-NUS-1.11.1: PR manager: [NAME]". The deadline for submission of the documents is 16:00 am Kyiv time January 27, 2026. If the Consultant fails to provide CVs in both languages, the Client reserves the right to reject the Consultant's application. Agency: Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 12000.0 USD