UNOPS is recruiting a home-based Capacity Building Specialist in media development, journalism and strategic communication, with applications closing on 24 November 2026. The 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. Youth Works Hub reviewed the full vacancy and sets out every function, deliverable and requirement below.
Position Overview at a Glance
🏷️ Position title: Capacity Building Specialist (Media development, journalism and strategic communication)
🗃️ Job category: Project & Programme Management
🏠 Duty station: Home based
📶 Seniority level: Mid Level
🔢 ICS level: ICS 10
📄 Contract type: ICA - IICA - Retainer
📊 Contract level: IICA 2
🗓️ Duration: up to 60 days within a period of up to 12 months, with the start date and final maximum number of working days to be confirmed against the approved work plan and budget
The UNOPS Europe and Central Asia 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 and provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.
About the South East Europe Multi-Country Office
The UNOPS South East Europe Multi-Country Office (SEEMCO) supports sustainable development in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is based in Belgrade with strong field teams, and 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, SEEMCO contributes to sectors such as:
🏗️ Infrastructure
📈 Socio-economic development
🤝 Social cohesion
⚖️ Rule of law
🌱 Environment
🩺 Healthcare
📚 Education
💻 Digitalisation
🔋 Energy transition
🏛️ 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, the European Investment Bank, the governments of Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro, as well as UN agencies such as UNHCR and UNEP.
The Project Behind This Assignment
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.
What the Specialist Is Hired to Achieve
The specialist works under the supervision of the Project Manager and provides 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 role supports journalists to improve:
🗒️ Editorial planning
✍️ Reporting
🔎 Fact-checking
🛡️ Responses to disinformation
📣 Public communication
The specialist will also 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.
Functions and Key Results Expected
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
🎓 Coordinate 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.
The specialist shall submit a detailed work plan 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.
Home-Based Work with Missions to Skopje
While the assignment is primarily home-based, periodic on-site missions to Skopje will be required in line with project needs.
Skills Listed in the Vacancy
🏫 Capacity Building
🧠 Ethics
🎤 Facilitation
📖 Information Literacy
🕵️ Investigative Reporting
📡 Media Relations
🌟 Mentoring
🎯 Strategic Communications
🔐 Integrity
Competencies for This Role
🔭 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 and is a role model for diversity and inclusion.
🏅 Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit, and collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilising 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, with actions leading to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them, and understands that responsible use of resources maximises impact on 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 behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure, and always pursues continuous improvements.
🧮 Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks, and applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
💬 Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner, with communication that considers the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge, and handles conflict effectively by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education Requirements
One of the following is required:
📜 A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), preferably in journalism, communications, media or related fields, with 7 years of relevant experience.
🏆 A Master's degree (or equivalent), preferably in any of the above or related fields, with 5 years of relevant experience.
Professional Experience Required and Desired
📌 Required: a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience 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.
🌏 Desired: experience working across countries with journalists, media organisations or public institutions.
Language Requirements
🗣️ English: Fluent, required
🇲🇰 Macedonian: Intermediate, desirable
🇦🇱 Albanian: Intermediate, desirable
🇷🇸 Serbian: Intermediate, desirable
🇲🇪 Montenegrin: Intermediate, desirable
🇭🇷 Croatian: Intermediate, desirable
What a Retainer Contract Involves
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses, which 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, and you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers.
UNOPS Recruitment Rules and Selection Process
🚫 UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
🕛 Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement, and 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.
🧪 UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement.
♿ If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, inform the human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
🗂️ For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
No Fees at Any Stage
UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind. If you want to know what to watch for in any listing, our guide on how Youth Works Hub checks opportunities and how to spot a fake offer lists the main red flags.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Its workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities, and it strives 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 states that it is committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcomes diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialised communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
Conduct Standards and Background Checks
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.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
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.
You can find more roles like this in the Jobs section on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this UNOPS Capacity Building Specialist role fully remote?
The duty station is home based, but the assignment is not entirely remote. Periodic on-site missions to Skopje will be required in line with project needs.
How long does the assignment last?
The assignment runs for up to 60 days within a period of up to 12 months. The start date and final maximum number of working days will be confirmed against the approved work plan and budget.
What type of contract does UNOPS offer for this role?
The contract type is ICA - IICA - Retainer at contract level IICA 2, and the position is listed as Mid Level at ICS 10. Retainer contractors must complete a few mandatory courses of around 4 hours before providing services, without compensation for that time.
What education and experience do I need?
You need a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree (or equivalent) with 5 years of relevant experience. Degrees in journalism, communications, media or related fields are preferred, and a minimum of five years in journalism, media development, editorial management, strategic communication or related areas is required.
Do I need to speak Macedonian?
Fluent English is the only required language. Macedonian, Albanian, Serbian, Montenegrin and Croatian at intermediate level are all desirable but not required.
Who funds the project behind this role?
The "Support to European Integration of North Macedonia" Project is implemented by UNOPS with funding from Sweden, Switzerland and national co-financing.
Who will the specialist report to?
The specialist works under the supervision of the Project Manager. The timing, scope and focus of the services align with institutional priorities and instructions agreed with the Project Manager.
What must be delivered during the assignment?
The five deliverables are an inception report and work plan, a capacity-building and advisory support package, strategic communication and editorial guidance, regional exchanges and peer-learning support, and practical learning resources with a final report.
Does the advert limit applications by nationality?
The vacancy does not restrict applications to any nationality. UNOPS states that its workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities and that all applications are evaluated on the skills, qualifications and experience in the announcement.
Is there any fee to apply to UNOPS?
No. UNOPS states that it will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
What time on the closing date do applications end?
Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on 24 November 2026. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Deadline
⏳ 24 November 2026
Links
🔗 Vacancy details: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Capacity-Building-Specialist-Media-development-journalism-and-strategic-communication/5074
🖱️ Apply through the UNOPS portal: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/Login?jobId=5074
