TOR: Communications/Monitoring and Learning Officer

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Communications/Monitoring and Learning Officer

Duration of engagement: 12 months, with possibility for extension

Percentage of engagement: Full time, 100%

Overall Objective of the Activity

Addressing present reconciliation needs between different ethnic groups in Kosovo on the individual, community, and institutional levels. The ultimate goal of the Activity is to contribute to having a society where there is proactive cooperation, peaceful co-existence of various groups, and democratic values for all citizens. Additionally, an added value and effort through this Activity is to advocate for societal and institutional changes influencing public policies and ensuring good governance and respect for human rights.

Purpose of the Assignment

The Communications /Monitoring and Learning Officer will be responsible for leading the communications or public relations actions within the Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation (#RCT) Activity. The Communications Officer will work in close cooperation with the management of the organization to develop and implement communications strategies and goals. They will be responsible for the content creation, content management, and outreach of the Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation (#RCT) activities on official social media platforms to further strengthen the #RCT’s online visibility and further outreach to a broader audience. In addition, this person will also be responsible for ensuring the application of the “do no harm policy”, collecting data for the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (MELp), collecting data to regularly update the MELp, project relevant reporting, and updating the plan and indicators on a yearly basis. The officer will ensure that the team is updated accordingly on the MELp progress and advise on the set outputs in order to reach the projected indicators.

Duties and Responsibilities

Appointed communications officer to be engaged in the following:

Activity Communications

Work closely with the RCT Team, and CBM management to ensure that relevant activity materials such as success stories, donor reports, proposals, factsheets, infographics, etc. are developed and disseminated to donors and target groups through relevant media and network channels.
Assist program officer(s) in the proposal development stage to identify appropriate communication activities for the projects.
Create content for the published materials, pamphlets, visual documentation, and support the think-tank in the promotion of the research and studies.

Media Relations

Develop and maintain contact information, materials, and relationships with Kosovo journalists and media outlets (print, TV, radio, web etc.) to increase coverage of the Activity.
Draft and edit articles, press releases, human interest stories, and other advocacy/information materials.
Collaborate with the media by organizing project site visits, facilitate photo coverage and TV footage, and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials.
Maintain an online database of the Activity material.

Digital Communications/Social media maintenance

Regular updates of the RCT website and social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube) such as daily monitoring, posting, and content development.

Brand and Communications

Assist the Chief of Party and other staff at public events.
Ensure timely and quality production of branding materials such as annual and donor outreach reports, capturing picture stories, videos, etc.
Develop and archive communication materials, including digital, such as publications, press releases, clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources, etc.
Closely following donors’ visibility guidelines and applying it to the RCT Activity’ needs.
Making sure that partners or any party involved in the Activity are applying donor visibility requirements.

Events/campaigns

Assist in organizing and generating public support for special events and campaigns to promote Activity goals.
Support the organization of workshops, seminars, campaigns, events, and project review meetings including agendas and meeting minutes.

Monitoring and evaluation

Monitor and evaluate the impact of communication materials and advocacy events/campaigns to target audiences for the purposes of reporting.

MELp

Setting indicators against outputs in a timely manner and in line with the Activity planning.
Update the plan accordingly.
Inform the team on any possible changes, advise with according to procedures to be followed when organizing activities.
Reporting quarterly and yearly on the progress.
Updating MELp on a quarterly period if needed.
Updating indicators accordingly and informing the team about the progress for future planning.

Competencies

Experience and knowledge:

Minimum of 2-5 years relevant experience in a communication role;
Poses a satisfactory knowledge of desktop publishing software (i.e. Photoshop, and/or other designing tools).
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media platforms.
Proficient in oral and written English Language.
Understanding other local languages different from their mother tongue is an asset.
Experience in writing, monitoring, and reporting MELp

Professionalism:

Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. The candidate should have a high level of integrity, accountability, and punctuality and be willing to work independently and within the team.

Deadline and submission of expression of interest

Interested parties should submit the following cover letter and CV to procurement@cbmitrovica.org with mail subject: RCT: Communications / MEL Officer

Deadline to apply: June 29, 2023, at 16:00h New deadline: July 7, 2023 at 16:00

Hiking Trip + Picnic in Leposavic

The RCT Activity brought together over 30 youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds, coming from Cabra (Zubin Potok) and Leposavic municipality, this time in Leposavic. Youngsters eagerly prepared for their journey to the hiking spot. Welcomed by the hiking tutor, Mr. Nenad Milosavljević, a biology teacher from Leposavic, they received instructions and guidance, setting the stage for an exciting and educational adventure. This gathering not only celebrates the rich diversity present in the community but also fosters a sense of mutual understanding of the beautiful Kosovo areas that should be available for exploring for everyone.

Their journey commenced, leading them to one of the oldest water sources in the southwestern part of the massive Kopaonik mountain. Mr. Milosavljević shared a remarkable revelation: the water in that source had never ceased its eternal flow. Along the way, they were greeted by breathtaking fields adorned with a vibrant tapestry of colorful flowers and a rich variety of trees. According to Mr. Milosavljević, the landscape everyone was standing on is an inactive volcano, which furthermore increased the interest of the youth. The sight was truly awe-inspiring, providing a sense of integrity for the participants towards the natural landscapes that were surrounding them. This shared experience of natural splendor further united the group, fostering a sense of harmony between them.

Continuing their remarkable journey, Mr. Milosavljević led the youth to the secluded village of Jelakce. In that path, the participants had the privilege of meeting an elderly Kosovo Serbian couple, who interestingly were the sole residents of this old village. Language barriers were effortlessly bridged as the Serbian-speaking participants selflessly offered their assistance by translating conversations for their Albanian-speaking peers. This act of collaboration and understanding showcased the power of empathy and highlighted the shared humanity that transcends linguistic and cultural differences, which is of an utmost importance to be fostered.

“The experience with the elderly couple in the village was a very interesting experience for me. I got to better understand the importance of the protection of heritage. It was also very kind of my peers to help me communicate with them by translating for me.” said Learta Rrahmani.

As the memorable journey neared its end, the hiking tutor guided the youth to a hidden gem—a small lake that only reveals itself during this specific time of year, due to its challenging environmental conditions. This rare sight served as a poignant reminder of the fleeting beauty that exists in the world, inspiring the participants to cherish each moment. After taking some time to rest and reflect on the hike, everyone gathered on the bus, eager to share their favorite moments from the trip. Laughter, stories, and heartfelt conversations filled the air, creating an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie. The abundance of cherished memories highlighted the tremendous impact of the RCT activity, fostering connections, breaking down barriers, and sowing the seeds of lasting friendships among the diverse group of youth.

CC Prizren Study Visit – April 28th, 2023

Prizren presents one of the most culturally and historically diverse towns in Kosovo. As such, it made the perfect target for a study visit for our Cohesion Circle members from the Mitrovica region. Along with Cohesion Circle members, all interested citizens from the Mitrovica region could apply! The study visit gathered 27 participants from North and South Mitrovica from all Kosovo communities. In terms of reconciliation and peacebuilding, Prizren has been one of the most successful regions in Kosovo, largely as a result of the efforts of their civil society.

The visit started at DokuFest, where a representative welcomed the participants and briefly introduced DokuFest. After that, the speakers discussed initiatives and short movie screenings that were done by youth from Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and more. The participants of the Prizren study visit got to watch some clips of these short movies that were previously shown at DokuFest with the youth from all Kosovo communities engaged in ice-breaker activities in order to overcome the language and cultural barrier between them. Also, the participants were cordially invited to become DokuFest volunteers and work along with a group of youngsters from all Kosovo communities.

“Visits like this one with peers from other ethnic backgrounds are really helpful to get to see from a different perspective on how co-existence between communities can create such opportunities for youth. We also got to see more of the beautiful city of Prizren” – Endrit Preteni

In addition to the DokuFest visit, the participants also visited the former cinema Lumbardhi, the oldest cinema in Kosovo. According to Lumbardhi Foundation’s representative, the cinema has been going on for so many years and is continuing to have screenings, shows, and a variety of other artistic works, with the involvement of artists and citizens from all communities living in Kosovo and the region as well, demonstrating to participants how coexistence and cooperation between communities can have a huge impact on people’s lives. During the tour, participants saw the indoor cinema rooms as well as the outdoor stage.

“Visiting Prizren with youth who are from other ethnicities can be an enriching and rewarding experience. It’s an opportunity to learn about different cultures and perspectives while exploring a beautiful city. It’s important to approach the trip with an open mind and a willingness to learn and connect with others. By engaging with people from different backgrounds, you may gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of diversity.” – Misala Ahmatović

At the end of the tour, the participants walked around Prizren, seeing many cultural relics in this old and diverse city.

The study visit was wrapped up with a short sightseeing spree of some of the most well-known locations around the city of Prizren. Visits like this help to develop the perspectives of the youth and teach them about the influence that co-existence between a various number of communities can be achieved. The study visit highlighted to importance of peaceful and productive co-existence of communities of different backgrounds and provided a great example of the spirit of reconciliation to the participants from Mitrovica region.

Poetry + Concert Event – CC Initiative – April 2023

The evening of April 27th, 2023 marked an exciting event in Pristina’s cultural scene as the Poetry & Concert Event organized as part of the Pristina Cohesion Circle Initiatives by the RCT Activity exceeded all expectations with a large crowd of over one hundred people. A diverse crowd of poetry lovers, music enthusiasts, and curious onlookers gathered to enjoy art and creativity in a mesmerizing evening that brought together local talent from many different backgrounds. Many participants were present from a variety of backgrounds from the Kosovo Albanian, Kosovo Serbian, Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, brought together by the whimsical and musical environment of the Defy Them Record Label.

The event started with a spellbinding poetry showcase featuring a lineup of three readers (Cohesion Circle members) from Kosovo reading a poem written by a one of the RCT Cohesion Circle members in three languages, Albanian, Serbian and Romani. The audience was captivated as each poet shared their heartfelt words, exploring themes of love, life, and human experience. The raw emotion and passion conveyed through their recitations resonated deeply, leaving attendees feeling inspired and moved.

Following the poetry session, a series of electrifying concert performances took the stage. The diverse lineup included the children from ‘Music for all’ Center from Plemetina village, A group of drum students, as well as the young band ‘Nuclear Doom.’ Each act delighted the audience with their unique sound and style, creating an unforgettable musical experience that had people dancing and singing along.

The overwhelming success of the Poetry & Concert Event in Pristina brought the communities together and fostered an appreciation for the arts. The positive feedback and engagement demonstrated a growing demand for similar events and spaces in the future, promising a bright and vibrant cultural scene in Pristina for members of all communities.

Media Story, a Success Story

Media plays a big part in the life of everyday citizens. We are shaped by our knowledge and the information we consume plays a vital role. As part of our #RCT Activity, we have supported the creation of positive media stories to make sure that citizens can hear and learn more about the successful examples of reconciliation around Kosovo. The first of those has been published, so check out the article written by our #RCT Media Story Grant Winner, Daniela Tomasevic. Her article highlights the importance of common and safe spaces where members of various ethnic backgrounds interact, mingle and converse with one another. Stay tuned for more such articles soon!

Open Call – Prizren Study Visit

#RCT Activity is organizing a study visit to Prizren next Friday, on April 28th, 2023, to exemplify cases of cooperation between communities living in the Prizren region and visit DokuFest and Cinema Lumbardhi. We cordially invite interested participants from the Mitrovica region to apply, join our Cohesion Circle members and us, and enjoy this unique and fun activity!

Make sure to fill out the following form to submit your applications:

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, April 26th, 2023.

Community Fair by Sub-Grantees: NGOs Së Bashku (Together) and Podrzi Me (support me)

#RCT Activity supported the initiative of a collaborative project by the NGOs Se Bashku (Together) and Podrži me (Support me) which aimed to engage young people and women with disabilities in teaching them skills to make hand-crafted and sewing products to increase their resilience and ensuring the right of societal participation, as a basic right of people with disabilities. Along three months period, subgrantees carried out several trainings and workshops for young people and women with disabilities, and since beneficiaries came from various ethnic backgrounds, they showcased that cooperation across all Kosovo ethnic lines are possible and are happening no matter the challenges and obstacles.

The highlight of this initiative was a fair organized by the beneficiaries, to show to the public their creative handcrafted pieces and sewn products. As soon as the fair opened, shoppers were greeted by a vibrant and diverse array of handmade goods, from jewelry and clothing to paintings. The quality and creativity of the items on offer were a testament to the talent and hard work of the disabled women entrepreneurs behind them.

One of the most striking aspects of the fair was the sense of community that permeated the atmosphere. Some of the vendors knew each other from previous events or from support groups, and their camaraderie and mutual support were evident to all. Visitors were also drawn into this sense of connection, chatting with vendors and swapping stories about their own experiences. In South and North Mitrovica this is a rare sight, and these women and youth are taking a step towards the right direction of reconciliation.

As the fair drew to a close, the organizers and vendors were already talking about plans for future fairs like this. Importantly, they had created a space where disabled women and youth could come together, showcase their skills, and feel proud of their contributions to their community. It was a resounding success, and a testament to the power of solidarity and support that the spirit of conflict transformation and reconciliation.

Steering Committee Meeting – March 2023.

Participation of members from various ethnic backgrounds in various processes of the societal advance, stands at the core of the reconciliation processes in Kosovo. The #RCT Activity has placed a large emphasis in this process by promoting and organizing events that bring people together in safe and stimulating environments. Other aspects at the core of the reconciliation, are decision and policy making at the local and national levels. #RCT Activity has created structures to ensure that central and local level policy and decision makers are included and can firsthand received the feedback and products derived by the activities outcomes, in the form of the #RCT Steering Committee (SC), composed of members of various Ministries (MCYS, MESTI, MLGA), President’s Office, Prime Minister’s Office and so on. More so, the importance of the SC is to connect central and local level decision makers with the #RCT Activity’s processes on the ground to strengthen the already established positive impact in the Kosovo society.

During the last Steering Committee meeting, two major outcomes of the Activity have been present and discussed by the members. The first product was the draft of the research paper created by an ethnically mixed team of three researchers titled ‘Perceptions of Reconciliation in Light of Rekindled Tensions in the Mitrovica Region’ measuring the perception towards reconciliation of Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serbian community members living North and South Mitrovica after the recent increase of tensions at the end of 2022.

The team presented the main outcomes of the draft that highlighted that there has been an increase in the attitudes of both communities towards the potential of reconciling with the other community, but that there are still substantial initiatives and changes needed towards the perceptions driven towards specific issues.

The results were discussed by the members of the SC, where a particular focus was given to the issues of the feelings of safety and frustration that community members provided as part of the research that need to be addressed at all levels. The research also indicated that economic activity is a large driving force when it comes to stimulating reconciliation and contact between members of the Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serbian communities in Mitrovica.

Apart from the research, a manual on Civic Peace Education was also presented to the SC members. The manual is to be used as a supplemental learning material for Kosovo elementary and high schools, along with civil society organizations and human rights activists. The representative of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) stated that she found the Manual to be very much in line with the needs to education system, and that soon the process of getting it formally approved at MESTI can be started. The representative from the President’s Office also stated that currently the strategy on the Transitional Justice is being reviewed, and that they could potentially use the manual as a resource.

The SC meeting provided some important recommendations on how to proceed with the outcomes of these products and how to make sure that they can aid the process of reconciliation in Kosovo from different perspectives. The members agreed to take more steps on pushing forward the agenda of reconciliation through their respective institutions, and that they will provide RCT with the help needed to do so. The research paper and manual are just two major outcomes of many more to come of the activity and translating them into real impact will be a priority of the Activity team and Steering Committee members.

Cohesion Circle Initiative – Social Gathering

The Cohesion Circle members in Prishtina/Pristina put their creative minds to work and executed the first initiative resulting from our successful CC workshop last month. The initiative was a triumph, bringing together a whopping 46 participants from a variety of diverse ethnic backgrounds. With a fantastic turnout of 27 participants from the Albanian community, 8 from Serbian community, 7 from Roma community, and international participants, it was an incredible showcase of community spirit and unity. The event was organized to ensure smooth running, with attendees free to join in open discussions divided into three corners.

For the first corner, “Share Your Story,” we invited a couple from different communities sharing their heartwarming love story.

Their story while unusual provided a fresh and interesting perspective of the issue of romance across conflicted communities, the perception of their families and communities, but most importantly how they overcame those and became a role model for even more people in the future.

The second corner, “Poetry & Books,” provided a platform for participants to share their favorite books and poems. Two individuals even read their favorite selections to the group, which was a beautiful bonding moment for everyone.

The third and final corner, “Food”, was where we discovered just how much our communities have in common. We all have similar taste, and it was evident as many participants shared their favorite foods. We even tried something new and exciting by ordering vegan finger food from Dit e Nat, which tasted really nice!

We invited the Jimmy Band to perform live music, and it was nothing short of amazing. Everyone was on their feet dancing and teaching each other traditional dance moves, creating unforgettable memories.
The success of this initiative is a testament to the power of diversity and unity, and we look forward to creating more exciting events that bring us all together.

Suzana Marić – Storytelling in a form of a podcast

We believe that pursuing education and being open to other cultures are crucial steps towards reconciliation. Our #RCT podcasts are an excellent example of how we strive to promote these values. Through our podcasts, we aim to bring together individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to share their stories, experiences, and ideas.

Tune in to Suzana Marić story on our podcast.

This was the first podcast for this year 2023, as part of the Storytelling component.This event was a part of the Reconciliation & Conflict Transformation Activity, implemented by Community Building Mitrovica and partners from New Social Initiative and Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo, and supported by the American people through USAID Kosovo.

VIDEO TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSVOK0ot0w0

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