Local Short-Term Expert for Delivering Training for Public Prosecutors and Members of the Council of Public Prosecutors 

BACKGROUND

The Local Short-Term Expert will work as part of the implementation team for the European Union grant-funded project “EU Support for Rule of Law” in the Republic of North Macedonia.  

The EU Support for Rule of Law project (the Project) is designed to support vital institutions operating in the fields of justice, law enforcement, anti-corruption efforts, and the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights. The Project is funded by the European Union and executed through collaborative efforts with four implementing partners (Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft – Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights, Republic of Slovenia – Ministry of Interior, Republic of Croatia – Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, and the Centre for International Legal Cooperation). 

The project is structured around four specific objectives, each implemented by one of the four project components. This assignment falls under Component 1 of the project, whose objective is to improve the capacities of justice institutions to deliver justice in transparent and accountable manner. Particular attention is being given to the functioning of the Judicial Council and the Council of Public Prosecutors as the managerial bodies; the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors as the sole point of entry into the professions; the Ministry of Justice regarding the implementation and monitoring of the Judicial Reform Strategy; the ICT Council for the Judiciary for support on the Information Communication Technology of Justice Sector Strategy and the Bar Association as branch organisation for lawyers. 

These justice institutions will be supported to properly and efficiently fulfil their mandates in line with European standards, such as the recommendations of the Venice Commission, GRECO and Senior Experts’ Group on systematic Rule of Law issues, and in line with Judicial Reform Strategy 2024-2028. Being aware of the dynamics of the accession negotiation process, the project functions as a resource and knowledge facility to help guide the Macedonian justice institutions through this process.  

This mission falls under the scope of Result 1.2.4. The main objective of Result 1.2.4 is to strengthen the communication of the Council of Public Prosecutors and the Public Prosecution Office with the media. Public Prosecution Office of the Republic of North Macedonia is an independent institution responsible for prosecuting crimes. The two main authorities responsible for daily management of the Office, including daily communication with the media, are the Council of Public Prosecutors and the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Republic of North Macedonia.  

In the framework of the Result 1.2.4 the project supported among others the process of developing the Communication Strategy for both – Public Prosecution Office and the Council. The documents address internal as well as external communication. Result 1.2.4 provides also for the set of two communication training to be delivered as the next step in improving communication capacities of the Public Prosecution Office and the Council of Public Prosecutors. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Local Short-Term Expert will be tasked with developing the concept note and agenda of the two one-and-a-half-day-long practical and interactive communication training aiming to contribute towards clear, consistent communication across the institutions as well as to the media. 

Training No 1 – internal communication (“Communication in Leadership”) is to be addressed to public prosecutors holding managerial positions within the Office and the members of the Council of Public Prosecutors. The number of participants is maximum 30. This training will address the capacities of the two institutions regarding internal communication with the aim to foster a more collaborative environment, reduce misunderstandings, build a culture of trust and transparency and strengthen organizational identity. It will include improving communication and listening skills of the participants and their ability to cope with criticism, building on their competences to communicate both positive and especially negative news and enhancing their understanding of the dynamics and the importance of conflict management. The training should also address the skills of clear self-presentation.

Training No 2 – external communication (“Communication with media”) is to be addressed to public prosecutors who have been entrusted with media communication responsibilities and the members of the Council of Public Prosecutors. The number of participants is maximum 30. This training will aim in strengthening the media communication capabilities of the Public Prosecution Office and the Council to facilitate the media having access to appropriate information and to promote proper communication between prosecutors and the media in a manner consistent with respective national laws and the international obligations. It should include gaining by participants knowledge on how to communicate with the press and how to prepare for an interview. The training should also address the skills of clear self-presentation and consider the regulations and everyday practice in force in the prosecutor’s office and the Council in this regard. 

The part of the task will be developing the training materials and delivering the training in Skopje. For this assignment, the project team will engage also one International Short-Term Expert. Both experts will collaborate remotely and deliver the training session in Skopje together. Additionally, the assignment will be carried out in close collaboration with other experts from the Project.  

Specifically, the international expert will carry out the following tasks:

• Developing the concept note of the training indicating the goals, the methodology and the expected outcomes of the training. 
• Developing agendas of the training. 
• Developing the training materials. 
• Delivering the training sessions in Skopje. 
• Preparing a mission report, including evaluation of the training sessions. 

Planned results:

• The concept note of the training. 
• Agendas of the training. 
• Training materials developed. 
• Training sessions delivered. 
• Mission report, including evaluation of the training session. 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• University degree in Law or a relevant field and/or proven minimum 5 years of work experience within the media. 
• Proven previous experience within delivering training in communication. 
• Strong knowledge and understanding of international standards and policies in strategic communication. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills both in English and in Macedonian.  
• Flexibility, strong adaptation skills and capability of teamwork in a potentially stressful environment under tight deadlines. 
• Good command of Microsoft Office™ tools. 
• Good planning and work organisation skills. 

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS (additional assets)

• Proven previous experience in developing and delivering training on communication addressed to judiciary and/or public prosecutors.  
• Proven previous experience in international judicial training, especially within EU-funded projects. 

CONTRACT AND REMUNERATION

The remuneration will be done in accordance with the grant contract.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Applications must be sent in English (CV in Europass format and a motivation letter) via e-mail to elena.brmbeska@rolaw.mk indicating “Local STE for Communication for PPO” in the subject line. References must be available on request.   

Application submission deadline: 8^th February 2026

Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. Only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.  

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The expert must not have had any contractual relationship with the public administration of the Republic of North Macedonia for at least 6 months prior to his/her hiring.