Advisor - Media Freedom and Pluralism

GIZ provides services in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international educational work, dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. We have more than 50 years of experience in various fields, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, as well as peace and security. GIZ promotes complex reforms and change processes. For more information, visit: www.giz.de and www.germancooperation.rs.

Since spring 2022, the regional “SustainMedia” project, implemented by GIZ in partnership with Deutsche Welle Akademie and co-funded by the European Union and the German Government, supports professional media organizations across the Western Balkans.

Through open calls, mentorship, and capacity-building activities, the project helps media outlets pilot and develop sustainable business models, expand their audiences, and promote innovative, high-quality, and evidence-based journalism.

In its second phase (2025–2029), “SustainMedia” continues to strengthen regional and cross-sectoral cooperation by fostering knowledge exchange, networking, and joint reporting on issues of shared public interest.

If you would like to join our project team as an

»Advisor – Media Freedom and Pluralism«

and you have the necessary qualification and knowledge,

please submit your CV and motivation letter in English.

Requirements:

• University degree in Media and Communication, Law, Economics, Political or Social Sciences, or a related good governance field.
• At least 10 years experience in working on development projects, with at least 6 years in the field of media business development in Serbia and/or beyond.
• Strong experience in developing sustainable and innovative business models for media beneficiaries with a proven track record in preparing partners for investment/access to loans or other types of traditional or non-traditional commercial financing.
• Professional background in setting up investment partnerships and experience in increasing seed and catalytic capital to attract financial investment for media partners.
• Specific technical and methodological knowledge in the field of working with complex partner structures, cooperation with international organizations, non-governmental organizations and/or the media is an advantage, in-depth knowledge of the European Union (EU) and EU integration processes, in the implementation of projects with joint funding, especially by the EU.
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Competencies and skills:

• Very good command of spoken and written Serbian and English (German is an asset)
• Effective communication skills
• Proactiveness and constructive thinking
• Excellent management and organizational skills
• High IT literacy with practical experience in MS application tools
• Readiness for frequent business travel
• Ability and willingness to work with people of different nationalities, cultural and religious backgrounds, sexual identities, and diverse political views while maintaining
• impartiality and objectivity
• Gender awareness and sensitivity
• Willingness to represent GIZ with professionalism and integrity, supporting its role as a federally owned enterprise implementing the development policy of the German Government

Core tasks:

• Responsible for the technical, substantive and organizational implementation of the project’s measures and activities in Serbia and across the entire WB6 region.
• Advising media partners through introduction of innovative business models for revenue diversification and innovation-driven growth.
• In charge of planning, steering, implementation and monitoring the project, including project administration tasks where applicable.
• Contribution to the conceptual design of the project, in particular its modification or realignment.
• Technical and substantive contributions to overarching issues in cooperation with commissioning parties/clients, partners and other actors, thereby support to the achievement of the agreed objectives of the project and providing impetus for further strategy development.
• Facilitating alignment between media actors and donors, including convoking coordination efforts within regional media landscape.
• Contribution to the documenting and reporting of the results of the project activities.
• Responsible for providing specialist support to colleagues in band 2 and 3 and ensuring the quality of the commission’s outcome.

Main activities:

All tasks listed are carried out in close cooperation with the project management.

• Provide technical advisory services to the partners, and with the support of consultants, implements the set activities together with the partners.
• Conceptualize and implement activities, contract external experts, and manage relations with partners.
• Collect necessary information for monitoring and evaluation purposes and contribute to the project progress reporting; support regional results monitoring and reporting towards BMZ and EU, in cooperation with the M&E Advisor.
• Cooperate with important stakeholders, support cooperation with other donors from the media sector, and maintain regular exchanges with other bilateral and regional relevant projects.
• Implementation, financial planning and monitoring for project outputs, together with other project members.
• Manage relations with the media, draft texts and press releases, oversee and manage the development of PR materials, and ensure project visibility.
• Provide support in the implementing exchange programs for journalists and executives in the Western Balkans and beyond.
• Perform other tasks assigned by the line manager

What we offer:

• Opportunities for professional development and expanding your professional network
• Competitive remuneration package, including a 13^th salary, showcasing our commitment to rewarding your expertise and dedication
• Participation in supplementary health insurance for employees, with the option to include close family members
• 26 days of annual leave

GIZ is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for everyone regardless of gender, age, skin color, origin, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or physical disability. We hire based on specialist expertise and social skills.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.