Principal Spokesperson and Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is a security-oriented intergovernmental organization established in 197

• It is the world's largest regional security organization, with 57 participating states from Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The OSCE's mission is to promote peace, stability, and democracy through various means, including conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation. The organization operates in multiple countries and employs thousands of staff members, working in diverse fields such as political affairs, economic and environmental activities, and human rights. The OSCE is committed to fostering cooperation among its member states and addressing security challenges in a comprehensive manner.

Job Overview:
The Principal Spokesperson and Advisor position within the OSCE Mission to Skopje is a senior role that involves significant responsibilities in political affairs and communications. The incumbent will be tasked with monitoring and analyzing political and media developments, identifying key trends, and contributing to analytical inputs that inform the Mission's strategies. This role requires a deep understanding of the political landscape and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and media representatives. The position also involves overseeing the drafting and delivery of written outputs, such as reports and press materials, ensuring they align with the Mission's goals. The incumbent will act as the Principal Spokesperson, providing strategic advice to the Head of Mission and senior management on communications and media relations. Additionally, the role includes developing and implementing a comprehensive media and communications strategy, managing social media channels, and coordinating public information campaigns to enhance the Mission's visibility and public support.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Principal Spokesperson and Advisor include:

• Monitoring and analyzing political and media developments, identifying key trends and emerging issues, and contributing to analytical inputs.
• Supporting coordination with relevant Mission units to gather inputs and ensure coherence of political and communications outputs.
• Overseeing the drafting, review, and timely delivery of written outputs within the Political Affairs and Communications Unit (PACU), including reports, press materials, and social media content.
• Assisting in the planning and implementation of PACU activities, ensuring coherence with the Mission’s mandate and priorities.
• Acting as the Principal Spokesperson of the Mission and the Principal Advisor to the Head of Mission and senior management on communications and relations with media.
• Overseeing the development, monitoring, and evaluation of a comprehensive media and communications strategy in line with the Mission goals.
• Designing a crisis communication strategy in coordination with the Chief of PACU, ensuring all relevant stakeholders within the Mission are informed and prepared to act if necessary.
• Liaising and maintaining working relations with relevant interlocutors, including government institutions, civil society, media representatives, and international partners.
• Coordinating the creation and quality check of original text, graphic, and audio-visual content for Mission needs. 1
• Managing social media channels, analyzing community engagement, and streamlining the Mission’s social media utilization in coordination with programmatic departments and the Office of the Head of Mission. 1
• Developing contacts and managing relations with international and local journalists, embassy staff, and media officers from international organizations in the country. 1
• Conceiving, issuing, and following up on press statements and communication to build public support for Mission policies and goals. 1
• Supervising and providing guidance in the drafting and preparation of political reporting, analytical, and communications materials to three national professional staff. 1
• Deputizing for the Chief of PACU as required, ensuring continuity in the coordination and delivery of PACU outputs. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Principal Spokesperson and Advisor position include:

• A first-level university degree in journalism, international relations, communications, public relations, media studies, or a related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in international organizations, political analysis, reporting, or strategic communication.
• Extensive experience in media relations, including as a spokesperson or journalist.
• Proven ability to prepare news-related documents, social media posts, press releases, statements, speeches, and analytical reports in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally and diplomatically with high-level officials and media personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain impartiality and objectivity in a diverse environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree, which is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree, in fields such as journalism, international relations, communications, public relations, media studies, or a related area. Professional certification in journalism, public relations, or media technology is also acceptable. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience. This experience should ideally be within international organizations, focusing on political analysis, reporting, and strategic communication. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in media relations, including experience as a spokesperson or journalist, which is crucial for effectively managing the Mission's communications and public relations efforts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills. Candidates should be able to prepare various communication materials in a clear and understandable manner. Knowledge of local languages or the most common lingua franca spoken in the Mission area is desirable, as it can enhance communication with local stakeholders and improve the effectiveness of outreach efforts.

Additional Notes:
The OSCE Mission to Skopje is offering a fixed-term contract for this position, classified as an international secondment. The job level is Senior Professional, and it is a full-time role. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply. It is important to note that nationals or permanent residents of the duty station are not eligible for this position. The OSCE retains the right to re-advertise or cancel the vacancy and will only contact candidates selected for further stages of recruitment. The maximum period of service in this post or in the same Mission is seven years, and candidates must adhere to the highest ethical standards as international civil servants.