Content writer at the Education Reform Communication Office

 

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(LEARN-IC-NUS-1.4.1 – Content writer at the Education Reform Communication Office)

 

 

UKRAINE

Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program

Grant No. TF0C5794

 

Assignment Title: Content writer at the Education Reform Communication Office

Reference No. LEARN-IC-NUS-1.4.1

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.

Content writer will ensure that all public statements, media materials, and speeches are aligned with the MoES Strategic Action Plan and the Operation of the World Bank, accurately reflecting key policy messages and maintaining consistency in tone, clarity, and impact.

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 14:00 am Kyiv time May 19, 2026.

 

 

for Consulting Services (Individual Consultant)

 

Content writer at the Education Reform Communication Office

Contract No. LEARN-IC-NUS-1.4.1

Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program

URTF Grant No. TF0C5794

 

 

1.  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 the 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). The objectives of the LEARN are: to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) to strengthen the management capacity of the education system.

 

The total financing for the Operation is US$451 million using a combination of the World Bank’s financial instruments: Program-for-Results (PforR) complemented by Investment Project Financing (IPF).

The Program-for-Results (PforR) is funded by 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). Financing Agreement (Additional Financing: Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program) between Ukraine and the International Development Association (CREDIT NUMBER 7905-UA) was signed in the amount of US$4.9 million.

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).

Furthermore, US$31.1 million in Additional Financing is provided through grant resources, consisting of US$30.0 million from the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund and US$1.1 million from the Global Partnership for Education Fund. This additional financing is formalized under the Grant Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, jointly acting as a Supervising Entity for the Global Partnership for Education Fund and as administrator of the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund (URTF GRANT NUMBER TF0D0612; GPE GRANT NUMBER TF0D0613), and supports activities related to the continued implementation of the Program.

 

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

 

For this program, “strategic communication and public engagement” refer to three critical aspects of ensuring the effective implementation of education policies and public trust in reforms:

i. Transparency and trust, including timely and clear communication about key initiatives, accessible information for stakeholders, and proactive crisis communication strategies to address concerns and misinformation.

ii. Awareness and outreach, especially the development of targeted campaigns, public information materials, and digital engagement strategies to ensure broad understanding and support for educational transformations among educators, parents, students, and policymakers.

iii. Capacity building in communication, ensuring that education institutions, regional authorities, and key stakeholders are equipped with the necessary tools, guidelines, and skills to effectively communicate and engage with the public regarding policy changes, funding mechanisms, and international support programs.

 

Effective communication 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.

 

 

1.  OBJECTIVE

The objective of this assignment is to develop and refine high-quality speeches, articles, and communication materials for MoES top officials. Content writer will ensure that all public statements, media materials, and speeches are aligned with the MoES Strategic Action Plan and the Operation of the World Bank, accurately reflecting key policy messages and maintaining consistency in tone, clarity, and impact.

 

1. SCOPE OF SERVICES

 

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

• Managing public engagement on MoES top officials communication channels, including responding to comments and messages on social media, related to key reforms under the LEARN and UIHERP projects.
• Ensuring timely, well-structured, and policy-aligned responses to inquiries from stakeholders, media, and the public.
• Collaborating with the MoES communication team, gather and adapt informational materials from civil servants and technical experts, translating it into engaging and accessible formats.
• Preparing speeches, talking points, and messaging briefs for MoES top officials public appearances, ensuring alignment with the theme, audience, and communication style.
• Writing op-eds, keynotes, press statements that reflect MoES reform achievements with a focus on accuracy, consistency, and relevance.
• Developing compelling presentation materials and scripts that effectively communicate the vision, values, and progress of educational transformation in Ukraine.
• Creating structured and impactful scripts for video messages and public addresses by MoES top officials.
• Preparing summaries and feature content for the MoES website and external platforms to highlight ministerial engagements, partnership activities and events, and milestones of LEARN and UIHERP projects. 

 

1. REPORTING

 

Content writer at the Education Reform Communication Office reports directly to the Head of the ERCO. For operational matters, works in coordination with the respective MoES directorates, line deputy ministers.

 

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.

 

1. 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).

 

1. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

 

Minimum requirements (mandatory):

 

• At least 3 years of professional experience in speechwriting, copywriting, or strategic communications.

• At least 1 year of experience in collaboration with national and local government authorities

• Strong expertise in public sector communication, policy messaging, and storytelling.
• Proven experience in drafting high-level speeches, articles, and media materials.
• Ability to conduct in-depth research on policy topics and simplify complex information.
• Proficiency in Ukrainian and at least an Intermediate level of written English.

Desired skills and qualifications:

 

• Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, or international organizations.
• Strong understanding of MoES reform priorities and education policies.
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality writing.
• Experience in media relations and social media engagement.

 

1. 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.

1. 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-1.4.1: Selection of UIED Content writer: [NAME]”.

 

The deadline for submission of the documents is 14:00 am Kyiv time May 19, 2026.

 

If the Consultant fails to provide CVs in both languages, the Client reserves the right to reject the Consultant’s application.