Capacity Building Specialist (Media development, journalism and strategic communication)

The Capacity Building Specialist will design and deliver training, mentoring, and strategic communication support to strengthen journalism, media development, and accurate public reporting on North Macedonia's EU 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.

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.