Background
This initiative builds on results achieved to date, such as the institutionalization of public hearings and the regulation of relations with independent bodies, which have created positive momentum for further strategic reform of the Parliament in improving its oversight role.
The project confronts the issue of parliamentary oversight, placing a particular emphasis on financial accountability through the introduction of an innovative tool to assist MPs in scrutinizing government spending. The project will help the Parliament engage citizens, particularly at the local level, promote mobile committee sessions, take MPs to sites where issues requiring further scrutiny arise, and public scrutiny hearings will invite written witness statements nation-wide. In addition, outreach mechanisms, enabling two-way communication, will be introduced in pilot municipalities – local municipal assemblies.
Objective
The purpose of the position is to support the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and local municipal assemblies in strengthening their communication with the citizens and thus citizens' participation in decision making and debating.
The objective of this position is to introduce innovative approaches and standardization in national and municipal assemblies’ spreading awareness on their work, processes and relevance, encouraging greater engagement between the general public and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and municipal assemblies.
Responsibilities
- Track, research and analyse outreach opportunities for the Serbian Parliament and help showcase the Parliament’s work to the general public.
- Review, draft and support implementation of the project publications.
- Develop a network of contacts within the Parliament and municipal assemblies that can be tapped to provide information and expertise on key messages to the general public and to target audiences;
- Develop standard and tailored responses, undertake research as necessary and/or forward requests to relevant Parliamentary sectors, following up and ensuring that information will be provided in a timely manner;
- Develop and implement a tracking system for above as necessary;
- Assist in defining organizational requirements and developing and implementing protocols that ensure all Parliamentary and municipal assemblies’ documents of potential public interest are readily available on the available websites;
- Support organization of public opinion polls on parliament.
- Develop and support implementation of pilot communication strategies for selected events.
- Support capacity development of the initiatives, petitions and proposal mechanisms.
- Provide the necessary support towards upgrading the NARS website for two-way communication.
Requirements
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, political and/or social science, international relations, publishing or development-related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working with the legislative, executive or relevant international institutions at national and/or local level on relations with public, public participation,communications is required;
- Experience in working with municipal assemblies is a strong advantage.
- Familiarity with the UN system and strong commitment to UNDP’s development mission is a is an asset;
- Previous experience in working on communications strategy development is helpful but not required;
- Excellent usage of computers and sophisticated software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems is required;
- Experience in working on national campaigns and public opinion polls is an asset;
- Top research, analytical, communications and drafting skills are required.
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.
Deadline: 15 December 2013
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