Terms of Reference
Policy Development Expert on Localization
STGM and HRDF will implement the European Commission supported project “Capacity Building Center for Civil Society” between 1 February 2021 and 30 November 2024. The overall goal of the action is to contribute to the development of responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels by means of capable, effective and future-proof CSOs.
Among the others, Turkey-based CSOs established by/for Syrians and other migrant people constitutes a crucial part of the target groups considering the fact that refugee communities cannot be recognized just as people in need of help, they have also become an indispensable component of civil society in Turkey.
In the past decade, humanitarian aid and especially international humanitarian organizations have been the main agenda and actors of the civil society regarding refugee crisis in Turkey. On the other hand, since the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, Turkey-based NGOs have been actively engaged in localization discussions and efforts, at national, regional and global level. Since September 2020, the Localization Advocacy Group (LAG) has been meeting regularly to systemically push for a more locally-led humanitarian response through strengthened local organizations in Turkey.
The work of the LAG will be supported within the scope of the “Capacity Building Center for Civil Society” project. A localization coordinator (called ‘Policy Development Expert’) will be employed by STGM. While focusing primarily on the work of the LAG, the Policy Development Expert will provide information and consultancy support to other civil society organizations, along with trainings and workshops under the STGM Capacity Program.
Awareness of localization issues among a broader group of civil society will be among the tasks of the Policy Development Expert. As all LAG members are engaged in refugee support work, issues specific to refugee and migrant participation and inclusion as well as other needs of refugee-led organizations will be prioritized.
The Policy Development Expert will develop channels of communication and spaces for advocacy for improving current practices in an attempt to promote locally-led response and preparedness among civil society organizations in Turkey. The Policy Development Expert will bring closer together LAG members, their refugee/migrant related work, and other civil society organizations in order to create areas of collaboration for strengthening local civil society.
The Policy Development Expert position is to be filled by 1 June 2021, with a contract duration until the end of November 2024.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Facilitation and Support tasks:
- Provide innovative supports to CSOs to play a more effective, prominent and collaborative role
- Provide information and advice for CSOs via online application, e-mail and telephones on migration related issues
- Organize information sessions and workshops and develop resource materials for Turkey-based CSOs established by/for migrant communities
- Organize and facilitate periodic LAG member meetings and civil society dialogue exchange meetings
- Keep minutes of meetings and manage archive of all documents developed
- Plan and deliver relevant workshops and trainings
- Draft success stories of localization, especially in relation to refugees and migrants
- Support the inclusion of refugees and migrants in festival events
Liaison and Coordination tasks:
- Develop and regularly update the database of contacts and stakeholder maps
- Liaise with all relevant national CSOs, international actors and public authorities with the aim of facilitating coordination
- Assist in opening dialogue channels between LAG members and the international humanitarian community in Turkey
- Support dissemination of advocacy messages
- Ensure that the Localization Advocacy Strategy is updated and operationalized
- In search of funding, draft concept notes and reports as opportunities arise
Localization-related tasks:
- Follow localization related communication of ICVA and NEAR, and share with LAG members
- Follow the Grand Bargain process and other key localization processes and events to inform the LAG members on developments and opportunities for involvement
- Prepare briefs on localization studies, background papers, policy guidelines, presentations and documents related to localization, as requested by the LAG members
- Follow the localization strategies of international humanitarian actors in Turkey and inform the LAG members of developments and areas of opportunity
- Carry out surveys on localization related topics, compile results and prepare brief reports
- Support advocacy initiatives and localization campaigns as designed by the LAG members
- Participate in some key global processes as a representative of the Localization Advocacy Group, as appropriate
KEY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, with experience working at CSO senior management level
- Fluency in written and spoken Turkish and English
- Experience in workshop facilitation, training delivery and organizing events
- Experience in advocacy
- Experience working on displacement and migration with emphasis on policy, strategy, and program design
- Knowledge of the localization agenda
- Excellent team work and communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Ability to work independently
- Availability to travel in-country and internationally, once Covid restrictions are lifted