Call for Applications: Advocacy Expert for Capacity Enhancement of CSOs in Jordan

Sawt Advocacy Partners Program targets CSOs and will encompass capacity building, technical assistance, and financial support with the objective of bringing about measurable improvements in their performance and capacity to serve their constituencies, build sustainable networks, and lead impactful advocacy and citizen engagement efforts.

The Strengthening Civil Society and Media Systems (Sawt) Activity is implemented by Internews in partnership with Mercy Corps and the International Center for Non-Profit Law (ICNL). Sawt aims to foster sustained civic engagement in Jordan through civil society and digital media innovations through two objectives: 1) Good, Trusted Knowledge-Building Resources: Citizens and civil society build knowledge through accessing and engaging critically with accurate and fact-based information and 2) Participation & Advocacy: Citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Jordan effectively participate in civic spaces and advocate for policies through knowledge-based collective action.

Scope of Work

• The expert’s role encompasses a range of duties and interventions aimed at empowering partner organizations to engage effectively in designing and implementing advocacy initiatives. The expert will be engaged in identifying specific capacity building interventions based on the results of advocacy and institutional assessments that Sawt conducts and through conducting training needs assessments.
• The expert will also plan, design, and execute workshops that aim to build the capacities of partner organizations in the form of trainings on advocacy.
• The expert will also plan and execute interventions that aim to build the capacity of partner organizations through providing technical assistance in the form of mentorship and coaching on advocacy as well as assistance in the development of advocacy plans and activities for CSOs.

Duration

• The duration of this program is from May 16th, 2024 – April 30th, 2025, subject to extension.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The advocacy expert will be responsible for undertaking the following tasks:
• Reviewing the results of advocacy capacity assessments conducted by Sawt and conducting a training needs assessment (TNA) to identify training areas and needs. The assessment review and the TNA aim to feed into designing and developing a high-quality training program focused on advocacy skills and strategies, tailored to meet the needs and context of CSOs participating in Sawt Advocacy Partners Program.
• Creating interactive and informative training materials, modules, and resources to effectively build the skills of CSOs’ participants in planning, implementing, and monitoring issue and evidence-based advocacy initiatives. Trainings should aim to build the capacity of partner CSOs to identify key advocacy issues pertinent to the local context and their constituencies needs, creating advocacy strategies, conducting mapping and power dynamic analysis activities, identifying, and implementing advocacy tactics (including campaigns), as well as monitoring and evaluating advocacy efforts.
• Providing 4 engaging, interactive, and effective training workshops to CSOs with the use of the above created materials. The training will target 45 partner CSOs (Up to 90 trainees) in North, Middle, and South of Jordan.
• Providing technical assistance and support to partner CSOs who receive Sawt grants (Up to 15 organizations) throughout their implementation of their advocacy projects/ initiatives.

Deliverables

• A detailed plan and timeline for the implementation of the proposed scope of work and below mentioned deliverables.
• A training needs assessment for the 45 enrolled CSOs.
• A set of training materials and tools in Arabic including a training manual, presentations, handouts, case studies, and interactive resources developed for the CSOs.
• Four training workshops each of two days duration, covering the above topics for the 45 partner CSOs (Up to 90 trainees) covering North, South, and Middle regions of Jordan. Training logistics and transportation fees for the trainees will be handled by Sawt activity.
• Reporting: The expert is expected to develop a report for each workshop, the provided technical assistance, as well as a final report outlining efforts carried out by the expert and the progress achieved by the enrolled partners.

Eligibility Criteria

• Required Qualifications
  • Educational Background: The trainer must hold a degree or equivalent qualification in Law, Communications, Community Development, Social Sciences, or a relevant field.
  • Experience in Advocacy Campaign Design and Implementation: Possesses strong understanding and knowledge of advocacy campaign design and demonstrated experience in the implementation of advocacy campaigns in Jordan based on clear need identification and understanding of local context as well as advising and supporting organizations with varying capacities in doing so. Demonstrated ability to build consensus and buy-in among local organizations and local or national governments.
  • Training Experience: Demonstrated 3-5 years of experience in delivering training sessions or workshops, particularly in the field of evidence-based advocacy including setting goals, building partnerships and coalitions, setting, and implementing effective communications and outreach plans, and monitoring and evaluating advocacy efforts.
  • Professional Experience: Possesses professional experience in working with community and advocacy initiatives and CSOs. Ability to design advocacy capacity-building initiatives and strategies based on clear need identification and understanding of operating context, and experience working with CSOs, NGOs, or CBOs.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Local Advocacy and Policy landscape: Understanding of legislative and political processes in Jordan, local and national advocacy context, and public policy influencing methods. Demonstrated understanding of civil society, rule of law, human rights, governance, gender, and vulnerable populations.
  • Networking Abilities: Capacity to build relationships with CSOs, local partners, and stakeholders to encourage collaboration and support ongoing capacity-building efforts.
  • Facilitation Skills: Proficiency in facilitating interactive learning activities, group discussions, and practical exercises to promote active participation and learning. Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
  • Coaching and Mentoring Abilities: Capacity to provide mentoring and coaching to organization to enhance their performance and deliverables. This includes strong skills in issue identification, goal setting, constructive and effective feedback provision, and following up throughout the process.
  • Communication Skills: Strong communication and presentation skills to effectively convey complex concepts and engage participants from diverse backgrounds.

For more information, visit Internews.