Community and Outreach Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) was established in 2019 and serves as a hub for operations across 12 countries in South-East Europe, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. The organization focuses on delivering technical expertise, operational support, and sustainable infrastructure solutions for governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Notable initiatives include the Blueing the Black Sea project, which aims to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development, and Türkiye’s post-earthquake recovery programme that enhances protective services for women and children. In Albania, UNOPS is involved in revitalizing cultural heritage and advancing digital justice, while in Kosovo, it supports higher education through new university infrastructure. In Georgia, AUMCO facilitates the Eastern Partnership European School and strengthens rule of law and digital health access. The office also engages in various activities across Central Asia, including health system strengthening in Uzbekistan and hazardous waste management in Tajikistan. AUMCO plays a crucial role in supporting UNOPS’ global Water, Environment, and Climate portfolio, reinforcing its position as a regional and thematic centre of excellence.

Job Overview:
The Community and Outreach Specialist position offers a unique opportunity to drive social inclusion and gender equality within a critical administration" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">land administration reform project in Albania. The specialist will be instrumental in ensuring that the benefits of the project reach all segments of society, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups. This role is pivotal in enhancing public trust, fostering economic development, and contributing to Albania's EU accession goals. The specialist will independently manage and adapt community engagement and outreach strategies to ensure the inclusion and participation of women, vulnerable groups, and marginalized communities within the 'EU for Property Rights' project. This involves integrating gender equality and social inclusion considerations into project activities, providing authoritative advice, and building capacity within national institutions to foster accessible and responsive services. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, and international donors, to ensure that project objectives are met effectively and inclusively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Community and Outreach Specialist will support the Project Manager on key activities for the successful implementation of the 'EU for Property Rights' project. Specific responsibilities include:

• Supporting the Business Process Review (BPR) Expert to ensure that redesigned services are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to different user needs.
• Providing targeted capacity building to the State Cadastre Agency (SCA) and Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (ARDA) based on identified needs to strengthen the integration of gender and social inclusion considerations into relevant services and processes.
• Collaborating with the Communications Expert to develop inclusive and gender-responsive communication and outreach approaches, ensuring that information is accessible and relevant to different groups of citizens.
• Working closely with the Communications Expert and Business Process Review Expert to align tasks with project implementation as identified by the Project Manager.
• Contributing to ensuring that gender equality and social inclusion considerations are appropriately integrated into relevant project activities, supporting more accessible and inclusive service processes, and strengthening the capacity of SCA and ARDA to contribute to socially inclusive and gender-responsive communication and outreach.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in Communications, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or related fields with at least 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the aforementioned or related fields with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. The role requires a strong understanding of community engagement, outreach, and public relations, particularly in the context of development projects. Familiarity with land management reforms or cadastral systems is considered an advantage. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Communications, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or related fields, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with at least 5 years of relevant experience is acceptable. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage with communities and implement outreach strategies that promote social inclusion and gender equality.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in community engagement, outreach, or public relations, preferably within the context of development projects. Candidates should have experience working with local communities, particularly in rural or cadastral-related sectors. Additionally, experience in organizing and managing public consultations, outreach campaigns, and awareness-raising initiatives is essential. Familiarity with working alongside national authorities, government agencies, and international donors in EU accession countries is also required. Desired experience includes familiarity with land management reforms or cadastral systems, which would enhance the candidate's ability to contribute effectively to the project.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Albanian is required for this position. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in both languages to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders and ensure that outreach efforts are inclusive and accessible to all segments of society. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly if they enhance the candidate's ability to engage with specific communities or groups within Albania.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as mid-level and operates under a retainer contract type (ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer). The contract duration is up to 15 working days within one year, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The posting start date is September 17, 2026, and the application deadline is September 30, 202

• UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds, including women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not request candidates to make payments during the recruitment process.