We are looking for:

Visibility, Communications and Engagement Manager (VCEM) 

within IPA Project “Climate Strategy and Action Plan” – Serbia 

Start: asap

Country / Duty Station: Belgrade, Serbia

Duration: 15.09.2017 – 31.12.2017 – with possibility for extension up to a for further 3 months – full time

BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION 

1.1. Introduction

The Climate Change Strategy and Action plan project is tasked with delivering a comprehensive, cross-sectoral Climate Strategy and Action Plan that will enable Serbia to form a strategic framework for climate action. This framework is necessary to both implement existing commitments and objectives as well as to provide the structure to deliver future national and international climate change policy requirements. A core component of this is to see climate change (mitigation and adaptation) being mainstreamed in the formation, delivery and implementation of policy and strategy across all Ministries. 

In line with the priorities established for the IPA programme, the European Union (EU) is supporting the preparation and drafting of the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan through the IPA project “Climate Strategy and Action Plan”, EUROPEAID/135966/DH/SER/RS. The project will identify and assess alternative GHG mitigation pathways for Serbia. This will take into account current policies and targets, alongside what will need to be done, by who, by when and at what (additional) cost. Furthermore, the study will include an assessment of alternative climate change adaptation options. This post focuses on the existing mitigation and adaptation policy framework focusing on the Energy Sector (as defined by UNFCCC national emissions reporting).

The lead partner in the consortium delivering this project is GFA Consulting Group a specialist German consulting company working. Formed in 1982, and active in 130 countries it counts national and international institutions and organizations among its clients (eg GIZ, KfW, European Commission/EuropeAid). In 2013 GFA established a subsidiary, GFA South East Europe, in Belgrade, who is one of the partners in this Project. 

For this Project we are looking for an open-minded, versatile Visibility, Communications and Engagement Manager (m/f), who will actively contribute in the remainder of the Project.

Job Description and Key Responsibilities 

The project is made up of Six Results and the outputs from the results will need to be presented and discussed with a range of stakeholders in working groups/workshops/bilateral meetings. In each case appropriate venues structures and materials will need to be produced with active engagement before and after to elicit further stakeholder inputs. You will be required to assist the key expert(s) in workshops (around flip charts, take minutes/notes as required by the Key Expert(s)). You will be required to compile the invites in Serbian/English to send by email (or letter if required). 

The workshops & working groups provide an opportunity to do individual interviews with stakeholders to be posted onto the project website. The stakeholders to be interviewed should be identified prior to the workshops with the assistance of the Key Experts and Beneficiary. 

A key component of your position will be to support the setting up of these activities prior to and during them. In addition the post requires that you follow-up with the stakeholders afterwards. You will be required to accompany the Key Expert(s) to bilateral meetings and take minutes. 

These Results will be associated with a set of press releases/external communications This includes a newsletter which you will be required to complete with the active support of all experts as you require. There is a stakeholder database for the project which you should manage through to the end. An early task will be to go through this database in association with the communications strategy from the projects inception report – so that are communications are targeted. You will be required to contact this database introducing yourself and providing an open line of communication to you. 

The website is to be a key communication tool for the project and you will be required to update it (Including the aforementioned interviews). Part of this will include keeping on top of news articles in the Serbian press and the outcomes of other projects (as well as events/conferences). This should be used to update the website. You will be required to update both the English and Serbian versions of the website. This is the day-to-day “face” of the project. Written content will need to be approved by one or both key experts for which you receive support.

As part of the process with the website and your day to day activities you will identify opportunities for further engagement, notably with the media and events. You should be mindful of events and opportunities outside of Belgrade. You should pay consideration (advise the Team Leader) to those people best placed to communicate whether it be the Beneficiary, Key Experts or GFA. 

In all cases you will ensure that communications are in keeping with the criterion of the EU delegation and the beneficiary/ministry. 

The role requires a combined skill set of visibility and communication with certain administrative duties to assist the Key Expert(s) in delivering this very important project for the future of Serbia.

Qualifications and Skills

• University Degree in relevant field
• Full proficiency in written and spoken English and Serbian
• Three years of experience in marketing and communication
• Experience working with the Public Sector
• Experience with EU Projects
• Experience in organization of events
• Experience in working with multi-cultural environment
• Advanced proficiency in standard MS Office Applications
• Wordpress
• Basic knowledge of InDesign& Illustrator
• Ability to manage complex situations with a sense of pragmatism 
• Reference: k3dJtVVR2ZumdxgUS2qQIY3SDOCFquSqjYdF7Qxj-BI.

Interested candidates should send their complete application (cover letter, CV), electronically. 

Deadline for applications 21.09.2017. 

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for interview.