National Project Communication Officer - NOA (DC)

This position is currently advertised pending the final agreement between the ILO and its development partners on the funding of the project and the resources being made available for the ILO.

The position is located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, being part of the ILO Decent Work Team/Country Office for Central and Eastern Europe (DWT/CO-Budapest). DWT/CO-Budapest provides technical support and guidance related to the ILO agenda in 18 countries of Central and South Eastern Europe (for more see www.ilo.org/budapest).

The ILO is implementing two projects funded by the European Union - Covid-19 Investment response – EU4BusinessRecovery and Local Employment Partnerships (LEP) II.

EU4BusinessRecovery aims to contribute support to Bosnia and Herzegovina in mitigating the economic effects generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) team together to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), agri-food and tourism operators, entrepreneurs and farmers to ensure business continuity despite the negative effects of COVID-19 and creation of innovative start-ups as a response to COVID 19 crisis. Specific task of the ILO will be to support MSMEs in textile, apparel and footwear sector and creation of innovative start-ups. Support will be provided through: development and implementation of sector-based guidelines for occupational safety and health (OSH); support in product and business innovation and reorganization/ localization of the supply chains to maintain the functioning and increase competitiveness (though the dialogue with international buyers, conclusion of the International Framework Agreements and introduction of Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme to create Factory Improvement Plans); support in development of start-ups through Local Partnerships for Entrepreneurship Development and establishment of help desk system to provide financial and legal advices to MSMEs and start-ups.
LEP II project aims to contribute to more and better decent work opportunities in local communities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will foster sustainable, partnership-driven labour market frameworks at the local level for an increased access to formal employment. By the end of the project, 20 local employment partnerships should deliver activation and labour market integration programs in line with specific local needs.

The National Project Communication Officer will provide technical and organizational support to the implementation of the projects, focusing on communication and visibility of the project results and provision of technical support, and capacity building of end beneficiaries (local partnerships). He/She will be responsible for key message development, social media content creation and media outreach and identify target audiences and create strategies to effectively engage them in communication.

Reporting lines

The National Project Communication Officer will report directly to the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of the EU4BusinesRecovery project and LEPII Project Coordinator and work in coordination with the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Central and Eastern Europe in Budapest (DWT/CO-Budapest), with the Employment Specialist of DWT/CO-Budapest as higher-level chief. Cooperation with the relevant ILO HQ departments might be required.

1. Prepare a communication strategy for the project and manage its implementation.

2. Work in close collaboration with the CTA and Project Coordinator to design and revise project annual work plans as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners.

3. Review, verify and analyze work plans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness and monitor the progress of Project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.

4. Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project targeting visibility actions, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems, propose solutions and actions.

5. Lead in cooperation activities related to promotion, communication and visibility actions of the projects, development and implementation of projects communication and visibility strategies. Coaching local partnerships in effective communication with the public and target groups

6. Writing press releases and other media communications to promote project activities

7. Preparing and editing project publications, including newsletter for internal and external audiences

8. Provide programming and administrative support to cooperation activities related to creation of start-ups and delivery of help desk services together with the implementing agents (Local Partnerships) …

9. Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings.. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.

10. Responding to requests for information release or press conference from the media or designating a spokesperson or source of information.

11. Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, or translate into local language official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials.

12. Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project.

13. Updating and maintaining Web content in coordination with DCOMM and in line with ILO and donor rules

14. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director, CTA and Project Coordinator.

Throughout the work, the incumbent must follow the ILO Standard Operational Procedures and Rules Concerning Covid-19 as well as the national rules on Covid-19.

First level university degree in economics, public policies, development studies or a relevant field. An advanced degree on studies on labour economics would be a strong advantage.

At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, communications and visibility actions. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of EU visibility and communication rules, implementation of partnership-based programmes for local economic development and grants managements.

Excellent knowledge of Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian) and English.

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution and good drafting skills
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
• Ability to think both creatively and strategically
• Ability to pitch to media
• Ability to run public relations campaigns that deliver measurable results and meet objectives
• Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative
• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications
•  Proficient in content management systems, and social media platforms
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy
• Drivers licence B category and willingness to drive 
• Quick and enthusiastic learner.