Transparency International is a global movement with one vision: a world in which government, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption. With more than 100 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, we are leading the fight against corruption to turn this vision into reality.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S) is currently seeking a Thematic Lead (m/f/d) - Civic Space to join the Policy and Advocacy Team. The Policy and Advocacy Team leads on the organisation’s advocacy initiatives through the development of policy and advocacy positions, representation of Transparency International at international fora and towards key stakeholders, and cooperation with TI National chapters on shared global thematic priorities. The purpose of this role is to enhance the ability of Transparency International to bring about change by promoting sound policy and advocacy to protect civic space and support TI national chapters, contributing to advancing Transparency International’s strategic objective 6 of TI’s Global Strategy 2030 - Holding Power to Account.
The Thematic Lead, Civic Space leads the development of TI-S work on the protection of civic space, drives advocacy efforts in international fora and provides expertise and support to the TI Movement to defend civil society freedoms and respond to civic space threats. The Thematic Lead (m/f/d), Civic Space provides leadership for strategy and implementation of TI contribution to the EU System for Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EUSEE), a joint initiative of TI, Hivos, CIVICUS, Forus, European Partnership for Democracy, and Democracy Reporting International.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE ROLE

Based in the Policy and Advocacy team and reporting to the Head of the team or relevant Subteam Lead, the Thematic Lead, Civic Space will:

• Lead TI-S work on the protection of civic space and contribute to the further development of TI-S work under Strategic Objective 6 of the TI Strategy 2030 – Expanding Civic Space for Accountability.
• Drive advocacy initiatives on the protection of civic space in global fora TI engages with in line with the current strategy, with a particular focus on UNCAC, FAFT, EITI and OGP.
• Lead the development of advocacy materials and policy recommendations on the protection of civic space, and work collaboratively with P&A team members to integrate civic space considerations in other areas of work.
• Identify opportunities to further advance TI-S objectives on the protection of civic space and coordinate response from TI-S and national chapters.
• Provide leadership on TI-S contribution to the EUSEE Consortium, working collaboratively with Consortium partners on collective deliverables.
• Support the successful implementation of TI-S EUSEE deliverables across its different components, including advocacy, research, network and capacity strengthening, in coordination with Project and Research teams.
• Monitor and evaluate progress on EUSEE advocacy deliverables, ensuring alignment with EUSEE advocacy frameworks and facilitating national chapters’ engagement with the Consortium’s advocacy support.
• Provide expertise on the protection of civic space to Secretariat and Movement and contribute to building a community of practice for knowledge exchange within the Movement.
• Support TI chapters navigating through or reacting to civic space restrictions, including through technical advice and advocacy actions, in coordination with Communication and Global Movement teams.
• Build and strengthen relationships and establish alliances with external counterparts, communities of practice and stakeholders; establish and maintain effective working relationships with key partners and interlocutors, including NGOs, governments, intergovernmental organisations.
• Contribute to fundraising proposals for the further development of this area of work
• Contribute to other projects as required, particularly projects with a human rights component.

In order to succeed in this role, candidates will need to meet the following:

• Postgraduate university degree and/or professional qualification in human rights, social science, public policy, journalism, international law, or other relevant fields
• 7+ years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in the fields of policy or advocacy related to civic space
• Demonstrable experience in designing advocacy strategies and engaging in policy formulation towards international bodies
• Demonstrable experience supporting national CSOs on civic space issues
• Familiarity with UN human rights mechanisms
• Understanding of anti-corruption topics is an asset
• Ability to engage with policy makers, government officials and CSOs
• Experience and comfortable with public speaking and media engagements
• Proven ability to provide concise, strategic policy and advocacy briefings
• Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain a strategic network of partners to further advocacy goals
• Self-organiser with ability to prioritise amid competing and changing demands
• Excellent communication skills in English required; additional languages, in particular French and/or Spanish, an asset
• High level of intercultural competence, diplomacy and political sensitivit