Background:
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) UN Women currently has a wide portfolio supporting government and CSO effort to end violence against women and girls (EVAW). With the financial support of Sweden, the European Union, and from 2025 the Government of Denmark, UN Women work has been anchored since 2016 in the normative framework the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (also known as the Istanbul Convention). Defined under the IMPACT 3 section in the UN Women Strategic Note 2021-2025, this work shall contribute to support enhancing legislative and institutional framework on protection from domestic violence (DV) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG) on individual and community level and availability and quality service provision across BiH in line with the Istanbul Convention.
Each year, under the global campaign of the UN Secretary-General - UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women (UNiTE campaign), UN Women organizes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign to raise awareness, mobilize stakeholders, and advocate for concrete actions to end violence against women and girls. The 16 Days of Activism campaign takes place from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). The 2025 campaign in BiH will focus on technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence (TFGBV), reflecting growing concerns expressed by women’s rights organizations, journalists, politicians and young people about digital harassment and abuse. Technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence includes cyberbullying, online harassment, stalking, doxxing, sextortion, deepfakes, non‑consensual sharing of intimate images, hacking, online impersonation and technology‑enabled tracking. These digital abuses mirror and reinforce offline power imbalances and can lead to serious psychological harm or culmination in sexual violence and femicide.
A 2023 regional study found that more than half of women active online in the Western Balkans have experienced TFGBV; the most common forms were unwanted or offensive messages (39.7 %), inappropriate sexual advances or content (30 %), and hacking of personal accounts (25.4 %). In BiH the problem is acute for women politicians, journalists and activists; a 2019 Westminster Foundation survey reported that 60 % of surveyed female politicians had experienced violence in politics, most often psychological violence or online abuse, with more than 70 % saying it peaks during elections. Globally, 85 % of women have witnessed or experienced online violence, over half say their images or videos have been misused, and three‑quarters of women journalists worldwide have faced online abuse.
These attacks have severe consequences. Victims report feeling hurt, afraid and isolated, often suffering headaches, insomnia and depression. Stigma and the fear of not being taken seriously lead to under‑reporting; in BiH several suicides have been linked to online harassment. Legal frameworks are fragmented: although Republika Srpska introduced an offence of unauthorized publication of private images in 2025, digital violence is not yet comprehensively defined in domestic legislations, and regional experts call for reforms aligned with the Istanbul and Budapest Conventions. The absence of standard operating procedures, digital forensic capacity and specialized training undermines investigations; survivors rarely receive specialized support. Civil society groups are working to improve digital safety and awareness and to share knowledge on privacy and security.
The long‑term vision of the 16 Days movement in BiH is to catalyze systemic change by integrating violence prevention into laws, policies and everyday practices and by promoting positive social norms that reject gender‑based violence and discrimination. The 2025 focus on TFGBV extends this approach into digital spaces. This campaign will highlight legal and institutional gaps, promote digital literacy, raise awareness, inform the public about the forms, prevalence and impacts of TFGBV in BiH, emphasizing that online violence is real violence with offline consequences.
For the purpose of supporting the EVAW portfolio, UN Women is seeking to engage a National Communications Consultant to support the implementation of visibility and communications activities for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
The objective of this consultancy is to support UN Women in planning, coordination, and execution of the 16 Days of Activism campaign in BiH. This includes raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) with specific focus on technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence (TFGBV), femicide, advocating for stronger laws, and improving services for victims. The consultant will develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy, create engaging content for social media and traditional media outlets, support campaign events, maintain regular communication with media outlets and journalists, and monitor the campaign’s impact to ensure broad visibility and effective advocacy.
Under the supervision of the EVAW Protection Coordinator and oversight of the Programme Management Specialist, the National Communication Consultant will work in collaboration with the EVAW team and UN Women BiH Communications Associate.
Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work
Deliverables
Based on UN Women BiH Communications Strategy and in consultation with the EVAW team, the National Communication Consultant is expected to design and propose communications actions and products to enhance the 16 Days of Activism campaign as follows:
• Develop a comprehensive strategy and workplan for the 16 Days of Activism 2025 campaign with target audiences, messages, and communication channels, ensuring alignment with the global theme and key messages – up to 7 pages, approved;
• Develop communications products (infographics, quote cards, photos, videos, and similar content, as agreed with EVAW team) with appropriate social media copy - at least 10 products developed and approved;
• Support the development and design of knowledge products (factsheets, newsletters, advocacy briefs, reports, studies, analyses) - at least 2 knowledge products finalized and approved;
• Support the organization of campaign-related events from a communications perspective (media outreach, press conferences, press releases, use of online platforms) - up to 5 events supported;
• Prepare a consolidated communications report summarizing visibility actions, media coverage, and engagement analytics for the campaign – report submitted and approved;
• Coordinate with the EVAW Protection Coordinator, UN Women BiH Communications Associate, and the rest of the EVAW team to ensure consistency of messages, branding, and joint visibility across all campaign materials and channels.
• Provide additional support and perform tasks as necessary according to the agreed work plan to ensure the campaign's success.
Comprehensive strategy and workplan for period November 6 to December 31, 2025 developed and approved. (2 days)
Provide detailed feedback and suggestions on the proposed campaign draft in a concise brief(1), highlighting areas for improvement (if any) and ensuring the campaign aligns with strategic objectives, target audience needs, and key stakeholder expectations. (1 day)
3
November 17, 2025December 15, 2025 Support implementation of 16 Days campaign activities including field work (Bijeljina, Brcko, Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Trebinje, Bihac, Zenica) (8 days)
8
December 10, 2025 Minimum ten (10) communications products developed, approved, and posted during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, each with appropriate social media copy (infographics, quote cards, photos, videos, etc.), including coverage of field visits and central events. (5 days)5
December 15, 2025 Submit an approved consolidated report covering events implemented during the 16 Days campaign. (3 days)3
December 15, 2025 Minimum two post-campaign (2) knowledge products (factsheets, newsletters, advocacy briefs, reports, studies, analyses) developed and approved. (2 days)2
January 10, 202619 January 2026 Final report on the entire assignment approved. (2 days) 2 January 10, 2026 One consolidated (1) report on visibility, media coverage and engagement analytics approved by UN Women (2 days)
2
January 10, 2026TOTAL no. of days: 25
Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel
The consultancy will last max 25 days, in the period from 12 November 2025 to 19 January 2026. The assignment might require some presence at UN Women premises in Sarajevo. The consultancy will require travel. Any travel to field locations for events will be pre-arranged and approved in consultation with the supervisor, with all travel expenses covered by UN Women.
Competencies :
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:
Functional Competencies:
• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource
Leadership and Self-Management
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners
Required Qualifications
Education and Certification:
A Master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field such as international development, gender studies or social science; or
a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted Pass/Fail
Experience:
• At least 4 years of demonstrated work experience in communications, including experience in media relations. 30 points
• At least 2 years of experience in managing media campaigns, online outreach and use of multimedia; 25 points
• At least 3 years of experience in producing communication materials (print and online) for a variety of media; 20 points
• At least 2 years of experience in using web editing tools and social media platforms; 10 points
• Experience in delivering communications services to promote activities of international development organizations will be considered an asset. 5 points
• Experience in promotion of gender issues and working with women is an asset; 5 points
• Previous experience within the UN System is an advantage; 5 points
Languages:
• Fluency in English and B/H/S, excellent spoken and written skills. Professional writing sample (e.g. from previous project/work/campaign) must be provided. Pass/Fail
Statements :
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.