Capacity Building Specialist (Media and Communication)

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

The UNOPS South East Europe Multi-Country Office (SEEMCO) supports sustainable development in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Based in Belgrade with strong field teams, SEEMCO delivers project management, procurement, infrastructure, HR, and technical assistance to governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Partnering with national institutions, local authorities, civil society, and media, it contributes to sectors such as infrastructure, socio-economic development, social cohesion, rule of law, environment, healthcare, education, digitalisation, energy transition, and governance. Since 2000, SEEMCO has advanced the EU integration agenda, national priorities, and the Sustainable Development Goals. It also provides emergency response, recovery support, and capacity building for institutions. Funders include the EU, European Investment Bank, governments of Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, as well as UN agencies such as UNHCR and UNEP.

The “Support to European Integration of North Macedonia” Project, implemented by UNOPS with funding from Sweden, Switzerland and national co-financing, supports EU accession preparations and reforms, while strengthening public understanding of and participation in the integration process.

Within this framework, the Capacity Building Specialist (Media and Communication) will design and deliver training, mentoring and peer-learning activities for journalists and media professionals, strengthening accurate and accessible reporting on EU integration and its implications for everyday life, while respecting editorial independence. The Specialist will also support the Ministry of European Affairs and other Project partners with communication, media engagement and public outreach, in line with agreed Project priorities.

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Capacity Building Specialist will lead the design, organisation and delivery of journalism capacity-building activities and ongoing mentoring, adapting international good practices to North Macedonia’s media context and audiences. 

The Specialist will also support the Ministry of European Affairs in communication and public engagement activities that promote EU values and standards, enhance the visibility of the EU integration process and strengthen public understanding and participation. The specialist’s primary focus will be the design and delivery of capacity-building activities, working closely with relevant partners and experts. The specialist will also provide technical advice and support to project partners on media and communication matters, as needed and in line with project priorities. 

Planning and coordination

• Review project priorities and consult the Ministry of European Affairs (MEA), relevant partners and experts to identify capacity-building and communication needs. 
• Prepare a flexible work plan and support stakeholder engagement, participant outreach and coordination of agreed activities

Capacity building and mentoring 

• Lead the design and delivery of training, workshops, mentoring and other learning activities for journalists and relevant stakeholders. 
• Adapt content and methods to participants’ needs, drawing on practical examples and international good practices to strengthen reporting, media literacy and communication on EU integration and reforms. 

Media and communication support 

• Provide technical advice and practical support to MEA and other project partners on media engagement, communication planning and public outreach. 
• Contribute to activities that promote EU values and standards, enhance the visibility of the EU integration process and strengthen public understanding and participation. 

Peer learning and exchanges 

• Coordinate the planning, organisation and follow-up of regional exchanges, study visits and other peer-learning opportunities. 
• Coordinate with relevant partners and experts on topics, programmes and participant preparation, and help translate lessons into practical improvements.

Content development and editorial guidance 

• Contribute to development of communication materials, multimedia content and practical learning resources. 
• Provide guidance on editorial planning, story development, clear messaging and verification, working with journalists, experts and service providers while respecting editorial independence.

Expected outputs and deliverables

• Inception report and work plan: Priorities, proposed activities, coordination arrangements, timeline and expected results.
• Capacity-building and mentoring package: Learning materials, training and mentoring inputs, and a summary of feedback and learning results.
• Media and communication support package: Advice, practical tools and contributions to partners’ communication, media engagement and public awareness activities.
• Peer-learning and content development contributions: Inputs to exchanges, study visits, learning resources and editorial or multimedia outputs, as agreed.
• Final results report: Summary of activities, outputs, results, lessons learned and recommendations for continued support.

Note: The Specialist shall submit a detailed workplan specifying activities, outputs, counterparts, timelines, and required supporting documentation. The timing, scope, and focus of the services shall align with institutional priorities and instructions agreed with the Project Manager.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in journalism, communication, media studies or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required

Required

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience is work in journalism, communication and media capacity development.

• Relevant experience in reporting or editorial work in North Macedonia, including coverage of  EU integration, public policy or governance in North Macedonia.
  
  

Desired

• Relevant experience in capacity building and training in the areas of communication, EU-related matters, and media education.

  
  

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
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• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
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• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
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