Freedom of Expression Expert

Expertise France is a public agency part of the AFD Group, merging six agencies under the supervision of the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy and Finance with a strong inter-ministerial vocation.MISSION DESCRIPTION Expertise France (EF) is looking for a Freedom of Expression Expert. home based. Potential travels to Erbil or North Syria.

The general objective of the project is to empower Syrian Civil Society actors to become actors of change able to actively engage in policy shaping and dialogue and echo the aspiration of Syrian communities’ vis-à-vis local and national-level decision-makers

These objectives will be reached through achieving two connected outputs that will be implemented in parallel:

• Output 1: Non-state actors are strengthened and able to engage in local-level policy dialogue on technical/sectorial issues.
• Output 2: Dialogue, coordination and sector-based initiatives are established, experimenting sectorial dialogue and geographical coordination

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close coordination with the Program Director and other project members at HQ, the incumbent will be responsible for providing advisory, technical support, policy development, and consultancy for the ENSAAC project on the Freedom of Expression activities and initiatives in north Syria. He/she will carry out the following activities:

• Identify potential initiatives (Dialogue, coordination and sector-based) in the field of Freedom of Expression, that could be implemented by identified NSA.
• Assess feasibility of suggested Freedom of Expression
• Providing technical and advisory support and mentoring for promoting Freedom of Expression concepts for NSAs that are engaged in Freedom of Expression of promotion.
• Strengthening NSAs capacity for developing the Freedom of Expression related policies by reviewing the current policies and developing them.
• Explore options for connecting NSAs with resource networks and other peer actors in the field of Freedom of Expression.
• Assist NSAs in developing advocacy tools (e.g., policy briefs, petitions) tailored to their specific contexts and target audiences to promote awareness and understanding of freedom of expression.
• Assist NSAs in planning and implementing advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and drive action on Freedom of Expression
• Guide them in crafting impactful messages and formulating clear policy asks.
• Identify potential risks related to Freedom of Expression and develop mitigation strategies.
• Conduct focus group discussions and interviews with selected NSAs concerned with Freedom of Expression to understand:
• Existing knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Freedom of Expression
• Specific needs, issues and gaps in capacity for Freedom of Expression
• Priorities and areas for capacity building.
• Design and deliver tailored and interactive workshops and training sessions on, for example but not limited to:
• Legal frameworks, rights protection, and advocacy techniques.
• International legal frameworks on freedom of expression
• Safe and responsible online and offline expression practices
• Strategies for countering censorship and harassment
• Monitoring and documenting violations of freedom of expression
• Advocacy strategies for Freedom of Expression issues
• Identify and share relevant resources on Freedom of Expression, such as:
• Freedom of Expression-related tools and materials
• Toolkits (in Arabic) on specific Freedom of Expression topics.
• Case studies showcasing successful interventions in similar contexts.
• Online platforms and networks for continued learning and collaboration.
• Identify strategies for promoting sustainability, such as:
  • Advise NSAs on integrating freedom of expression principles into their ongoing and future projects.
  • Encouraging peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange among participating NSAs.
  • Collaborate with NSAs to develop detailed action plans addressing specific challenges related to freedom of expression and promoting strategies to safeguard these rights.
  • Fostering a culture of freedom of expression within NSAs through ongoing advocacy and awareness-raising efforts.
• Capacity Building and Mentoring action plan for each targeted NSAs, including a brief needs assessment, a list of priorities and suggested support modalities.
• Coaching and training report,
• Lessons learned paper based on project implementation reports, including on project’s benefits according to the Freedom of Expression
• Draft final report of the consultancy.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills

• Advanced degree in law, human rights, journalism, communications, or a related field.
• Proven experience working in the humanitarian and development sectors.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in freedom of expression, human rights advocacy, or related areas, particularly in conflict-affected or fragile contexts.
• Familiarity with international legal frameworks and policies related to freedom of expression.
• Understanding of freedom of expression challenges specific to Northern Syria.
• Understanding of safety and security considerations for human rights defenders.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering capacity building programs and workshops.
• Strong training and facilitation skills, with proven experience in capacity building for local organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent writing skills with high proficiency in English and Arabic.
• Sensitivity to cultural contexts in northern Syria.
• Ability to do the documentation and prepare publications, reports, and presentations.
• High level of flexibility required.