Community and Outreach Expert (Retainer)

For the "EU for Property Rights" project, and reporting to the UNOPS Senior Project Manager, the Expert will support the Project Manager on the key activities of the project for the successful implementation of the project. 

The primary objective of this role is to foster strong, informed engagement with local communities, users and relevant stakeholders, ensuring their active participation in project activities. This includes raising awareness and ensuring stakeholder buy-in, particularly for the digitization of cadastral maps and first-time property registrations in priority zones. The Expert will develop and implement communication and outreach strategies and activities, and ensure effective stakeholder engagement, in close coordination with the project’s team, to contribute to achieving the project’s broader goals. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring the inclusion and participation of women, vulnerable groups, and marginalized communities.

Among their specific responsibilities, the Expert will:

• Design and implement community outreach strategies that support project goals, ensuring that strategies align with EU standards and are adapted to local contexts, with a strong emphasis on inclusiveness and non-discrimination.
  

• Identify key user groups (e.g., landowners, local authorities, farmers, women’s groups, minority communities) and ensure their active involvement in project activities.
  

• Engage with stakeholders and communities to ensure that their concerns and needs, particularly those of vulnerable and underrepresented groups, are integrated into the planning and execution of project activities.
  

• Develop and implement campaigns to inform communities about the benefits of cadastral reforms, including property registration, data digitization, and improved land tenure security, ensuring that communication efforts are accessible and inclusive.
  

• Support the creation and distribution of communication materials for stakeholders and communities, such as informational brochures, FAQs, and step-by-step guides for first-time property registration and cadastral data updates, ensuring that materials are clear, culturally appropriate, and available in formats accessible to different groups, including vulnerable populations.
  

• Organize and facilitate public consultations, forums, and focus groups to gather feedback from local communities, users and stakeholders, ensuring balanced participation across different demographic groups. Ensure that users and community concerns are properly documented, analyzed, and addressed, also in view of improved service delivery.
  

• Act as the liaison between the project and local authorities, coordinating the preparation of first-time property registration and quality enhancement in target zones. Work closely with local authorities, SCA, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth execution and clear communication of registration activities.
  

• Ensure that communication and community engagement strategies align with the overall communication plan of the SCA, facilitating consistency in messaging and outreach efforts.
  

• Track the effectiveness of community outreach efforts and engagement strategies, providing reports to the project manager. Assess the level of awareness, engagement, and participation across different user groups, making recommendations for improvements as needed to better reach vulnerable and underrepresented communities.

The Expert is expected to work closely with the State Cadastre Agency (SCA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (ARDA), and relevant stakeholders and user groups and will collaborate closely with the local and international team of experts and contracted suppliers. The number of days will depend on the tasks in line with the project implementation as identified by the Project Manager and agreed with the consultant.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) preferably in Communications, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or a related field. 
• A first-level university degree with additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in community engagement, outreach, or public relations, preferably in the context of development projects.
• Experience working with local communities, particularly in rural or cadastral-related sectors is required.
• Experience in organizing and managing public consultations, outreach campaigns, and awareness-raising initiatives is required.
• Familiarity with land management reforms or cadastral systems is an advantage.
• Experience in working with national authorities, government agencies, and international donors in EU accession countries is required.

• Fluency in Albanian and English required.