Capacity Building Specialist (Media and Communication)

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services; United States; Remote; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UNOPS is seeking a Capacity Building Specialist (Media and Communication) to design and deliver journalism capacity-building, mentoring, and media outreach activities. The role supports EU integration reporting and public engagement in North Macedonia, while coordinating with MEA and project partners.

The position involves developing learning resources, providing editorial guidance, and coordinating regional exchanges, study visits, and peer-learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in journalism, communication, media studies or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum five years of experience 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.
• Experience in capacity building and training in the areas of communication, EU-related matters, and media education.

Responsibilities

• Planning and coordination: Review project priorities and consult MEA, partners and experts to identify capacity‑building and communication needs.
• Capacity building and mentoring: Lead design and delivery of training, workshops, mentoring and other learning activities for journalists and stakeholders.
• Media and communication support: Provide technical advice and practical support to MEA and project partners on media engagement, communication planning and public outreach.
• Peer learning and exchanges: Coordinate planning, organisation and follow‑up of regional exchanges, study visits and peer‑learning opportunities.
• Content development and editorial guidance: Contribute to development of communication materials, multimedia content and practical learning resources.

Skills

Capacity Building

Communication

Data Analysis

Facilitation

Journalism

Public Affairs

Stakeholder Engagement

Writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism/communication/media studies

Master’s degree in related field

Job description

Capacity Building Specialist (Media and Communication)

Job Category

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer

LICA 10

Posting Start Date

03-Nov-2026

Posting End Date

24-Nov-2026

Duration

Up 60 days of a period of up to 12 months - the start date and final maximum number of working days to be confirmed against the approved work plan and budget

Job Highlight

The Capacity Building Specialist will design and deliver training, mentoring, and communication support to strengthen accurate reporting on EU integration in North Macedonia while assisting the Ministry of European Affairs with public outreach.

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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.

Job Specific Context

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.

Role Purpose

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.

Functions / Key Results Expected

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.

Skills

Capacity Building, Communication, Data Analysis, Facilitation, Journalism, Public Affairs, Stakeholder Engagement, Writing

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem‑solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

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

Experience Requirements

Required

Minimum of five (5) years ofr elevant 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.

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

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here .
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.