Ukraine desk brief

Kyiv Independent Seeks Executive Assistant to COO Amid Ukraine Conflict Reporting

Ukraine’s main English-language news outlet is recruiting an executive assistant to support its COO during ongoing wartime operations, according to a recent job announcement.

What happened

The Kyiv Independent, recognized as Ukraine’s primary English-language newspaper, has published a job posting for an Executive Assistant to its Chief Operating Officer, Zakhar Protsiuk, according to its official site. The role is based in Kyiv and entails coordinating across four departments—Reader Revenue, Product & Tech, Marketing, and Communications—and supporting high-level strategic and operational tasks.

Founded in November 2021 by former Kyiv Post staff defending editorial independence, the outlet has grown to about 90 employees, mainly in Kyiv, positioning itself as Ukraine’s voice internationally amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. This recruitment signals a sustained effort to maintain newsroom function and editorial independence despite the pressures of wartime reporting.

The assistant will manage the COO’s schedule, track interdepartmental commitments, prepare meeting materials, and support collaboration with international partners. Proficiency in English and Ukrainian is required, and the role demands a proactive approach with strong organizational skills, technical literacy, and the ability to navigate business and media contexts.

Known from the source

  • The Kyiv Independent is Ukraine’s main English-language publication.
  • The publication was founded in November 2021 by former Kyiv Post employees.
  • The Kyiv Independent currently employs around 90 people, mostly based in Kyiv.
  • The role of Executive Assistant to the COO involves supporting Zakhar Protsiuk, the COO who oversees four departments.
  • The job is full-time, based in Kyiv with some remote working possible.

What remains unclear

This hire highlights the continuous operational challenges Ukrainian media face while documenting front-line developments, diplomacy, and civil impact caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Kyiv Independent’s resilience is crucial for consistently delivering verified information to global audiences in English.

What remains unclear: Confirm current hiring status and timeline from Kyiv Independent HR or official sources. Verify any changes to the role or office presence given ongoing conflict conditions. Review for any updates in Kyiv Independent staffing or operational strategy. Ensure sensitive operational details are handled with discretion.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.

Outside Brief note: this story keeps the main source visible and separates what is reported from what remains unclear.