Capacity Building Specialist (Media development, journalism and strategic 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.

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 Project supports journalism, media development and strategic communication to foster informed public debate on EU integration and governance reforms. The Capacity Building Specialist will provide international expertise, strategic guidance, training and mentoring, drawing on good practices from other countries and adapting them to the national context. The assignment will strengthen reporting, editorial planning, fact-checking and responses to disinformation, while supporting public engagement and regional peer learning, with due regard for political sensitivities and editorial independence

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Capacity Building Specialist (Media development, journalism and strategic communication) will provide technical advice, training and mentoring to strengthen media development, journalism and strategic communication related to North Macedonia’s EU integration process and governance reforms. The specialist will support journalists to improve editorial planning, reporting, fact-checking, responses to disinformation and public communication.

The specialist will strengthen sustainable media capacities through tailored learning resources and strategic approaches to public awareness and engagement in politically sensitive contexts. Working with other experts, the specialist will provide strategic direction and technical guidance to translate capacity development into stronger reporting practices and informed public debate, while safeguarding editorial independence.

Strategic guidance on capacity building and international good practices

• Provide strategic and technical guidance on the design and adaptation of capacity-building activities, informed by learning needs, stakeholder consultations and project priorities.
• Draw on good practices and lessons from other countries to recommend relevant approaches, methods and resources for strengthening journalism, media development and strategic communication.
• Work with other experts to adapt these practices to North Macedonia’s context and support practical, sustainable learning outcomes.

Support to training and regional exchanges

• Coordination of the planning and delivery of capacity-building activities and training for journalists, sharing practical knowledge and good practices from other countries.
• Contribute to the planning of regional exchanges by advising on relevant topics, potential partners and opportunities for peer learning.

Support to strategic communication and public awareness

• Provide practical advice on communication planning, clear messaging and public engagement on EU integration and reforms.
• Manage approaches that address information gaps, build public understanding and respond to misinformation and disinformation, taking into account the country context and political sensitivities.
• Work with relevant experts and stakeholders in line with the agreed work plan.

Editorial planning and international learning

• Oversee and guide journalists on reporting pitches, editorial planning and story development.
• Coordinate regional exchanges and study visits by recommending relevant topics, contacts and opportunities for peer learning.

Practical resources and continued learning

• Oversee and guide journalists through practical learning materials, exercises and tools tailored to their needs.
• Contribute to training resources and follow-up learning, including feedback on reporting and verification of information, while respecting editorial independence.

Expected outputs and deliverables

• Inception report and work plan: Proposed approach, priorities, activities, timeline and expected outputs, aligned with project needs and stakeholder consultations.
• Capacity-building and advisory support package: Contributions to training, workshops, mentoring and other capacity-building activities, including practical materials and relevant good practices from other countries.
• Strategic communication and editorial guidance: Recommendations and tools to support communication planning, public awareness, editorial planning and clear reporting on EU integration and reforms.
• Regional exchanges and peer-learning support: Contributions to the planning and delivery of study visits, regional exchanges and peer-learning activities, including proposed topics, programmes, relevant contacts and follow-up recommendations.
• Practical learning resources and final report: Reusable guidance and tools for journalism, media development and strategic communication, together with a report summarising support provided, results achieved, lessons learned and recommendations for further action.

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.

Disclaimer: While the assignment is primarily home-based, periodic on-site missions to Skopje will be required in line with project needs.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in journalism, communications, media 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

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience is work in journalism, media development, editorial management, strategic communication or related areas.
  
  

Desired

• Relevant experience in capacity building through training, mentoring and the development of practical learning resources.

• Experience working across countries with journalists, media organisations or public institutions.

• 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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