GSF recrute 01 National Engagement Advisor

Title: National Engagement Advisor / Programme Officer
Type of contract: Employment
Contract duration: 7-month fixed-term contract
Work time: Full-time position (40 hours per week)
Reporting to: Senior Project Manager
Location: Damascus, Syria
Start date: As soon as possible
Application deadline: Interviews will take place on a rolling basis

 

Note: The candidate must be Syrian and legally authorised to live and work in Syria. Please do not apply if you don’t fulfil this requirement.

 

Background

The Global Survivors Fund (GSF) was founded in October 2019 by Dr Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize laureates (2018). Its mission is to enhance access to reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence worldwide, addressing a long-standing gap identified by survivors. GSF provides interim reparative measures in situations where states or other parties are unable or unwilling to meet their responsibilities. It also advocates for duty bearers and the international community to develop reparations programmes, while guiding states and civil society by offering expertise and technical support in designing such initiatives. GSF’s survivor-centric approach is the cornerstone of its work.

Role Summary

GSF, in partnership with the Association of Detainees and Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), and in close relationship with the government, is delivering a project to advance reparations for survivors of detention and torture in Syria. The project seeks to support the development of survivor-informed reparations pathways by working with local actors, engaging Syrian institutions, and contributing to national dialogue on justice and redress. It builds on long standing work with Syrian survivors and ADMSP, though a Global Reparation Study, a project for interim reparative measures in Türkiye, and an emergency grant to survivors in Syria.

The National Engagement Advisor will guide efforts to advance reparations for survivors of detention and torture in Syria. The role combines technical assistance, institutional engagement, and advocacy for survivors’ rights and survivor-centred approaches. Working in close coordination with Syrian stakeholders, survivors, and the broader project team, the advisor will ensure that survivors’ perspectives inform project recommendations and advocacy efforts, while supporting engagement with public institutions to open space for policy dialogue and future cooperation.

Position Responsibilities

Government liaison and engagement

• Build GSF’s relationships with Syrian public institutions involved in justice, human rights, and reparations, and on the definition of the transitional justice and reparation policy;
• Facilitate institutional dialogue on reparations and survivor needs through formal meetings, briefings, and informal exchanges with survivors, authorities, partners, and civil society organisations;
• Lead on organising and following up on meetings between GSF technical teams and Syrian authorities, including scheduling, agenda setting, preparing background materials, and capturing key discussion points;
• Coordinate and secure necessary approvals and permissions required for project activities in Syria, including focus group discussions, workshops, and survivor consultations, as well as visas and other travel requirements for GSF staff;
• Provide regular updates to the GSF team on government positions, engagement opportunities, and relevant policy or institutional developments.

Coordination with partners

• Maintain close coordination with ADMSP to ensure alignment of activities, messaging, and engagement strategies;
• Facilitate transparent and regular communication between GSF, ADMSP, and other relevant partners and stakeholders involved in project activities;
• Convene and contribute to joint planning meetings, technical discussions, and strategy sessions on the topic of reparations with key stakeholders;
• Ensure harmonisation of technical and advocacy efforts to maximise coherence and impact.

Technical assistance on reparations

• Provide technical input on reparations policies and frameworks, particularly in the context of detention and torture;
• Review and contribute to the development of national strategies; draft recommendations, and legal or policy briefs;
• Support adaptation of international best practices to the Syrian context, while ensuring alignment with survivor input.

Survivor’s role in policy development

• Lead the organisation focus group discussions (FGDs) and survivor participation, and document and analyse survivor perspectives, with the support of GSF team;
• Translate survivor feedback into draft policy options and thematic recommendation papers;
• Ensure FGD process and technical outputs are aligned with the project’s participatory and survivor-centred approach.

Internal coordination and reporting

• Submit all required outputs, technical inputs, and reports directly to GSF supervisor in line with the project workplan and agreed timelines;
• Contribute to GSF’s internal and donor reporting processes;
• Maintain accurate and well-organised records of activities and institutional engagement, and ensure timely sharing with the GSF team;
• Participate in relevant internal meetings, coordination calls, and technical discussions convened by GSF;
• Inform GSF promptly of any challenges, delays, or sensitivities that may affect project delivery or strategic engagement.

Position Requirements

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in social sciences;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in human rights, legal reform, justice, or governance-related work and project management;
• Prior experience engaging on issues related to conflict related sexual violence, detention, torture, transitional justice, or survivor-led processes is essential.
• Solid experience working with survivors – A well-established network with relevant Syrian institutions and civil society organisations working on detention-related issues is required to effectively carry out this role.

Other requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to engage with public institutions in a sensitive and strategic manner;
• Strong analytical, coordination, and communication skills;
• Proven ability to draft clear, concise, and well-structured recommendation papers and policy briefs tailored to a range of stakeholders, including government, civil society, and international partners;
• Ability to work independently while maintaining close coordination with team members and partners;
• Fluency in Arabic is required. Proficiency in English, particularly in written English, is strongly desired.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Syria, as needed and when security conditions allow;
• The selected candidate must comply with GSF’s code of conduct, safeguarding policies, confidentiality requirements, and conflict of interest regulations.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment@globalsurvivorsfund.org with “National Engagement Advisor / Programme Officer” as the email subject. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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The Global Survivors Fund (GSF) is dedicated to fostering diversity, gender balance, and inclusion, reflecting the varied landscapes where we operate and the communities we work with. We welcome applications from qualified professionals of all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. We particularly encourage candidates from regions where GSF is active to apply.

At GSF, we are committed to enforcing stringent Safeguarding policies, covering protection from exploitation, abuse, harassment, misuse of power, and discrimination, as well as child safeguarding and financial and fiscal integrity. We uphold a zero-tolerance approach to any form of unacceptable behaviour.

As part of our recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be required to provide references from previous employers and complete a self-declaration.

GSF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, or hiring processes (i.e. application stage, interview stage, validation stage, appointment, or training). GSF will never request applicants’ bank account information.

Please note that candidates must be authorised to work in the country where the position is based at the time of application.

 

Your Data – If you choose to apply for this position, you will be providing us with your personal data, which will be processed solely for the purpose of selecting a candidate for this position. We will retain the personal data you share with us as part of the application process for six months from the application deadline, after which it will be deleted. Your personal data will be accessed only by our HR Staff managing the recruitment process and members of the selection panel. You have the right to a) request access to your personal data and information about how we process it, b) ask us to rectify any inaccurate personal data we hold about you c) request the deletion of your personal data or restrict its processing, and d) object to how we process your personal data. To exercise these rights, please contact recruitment@globalsurvivorsfund.org . If you have any concerns or complaints about how GSF processes your personal data, please submit them to DataProtection@globalsurvivorsfund.org .