GBV Policy & Advocacy Technical Advisor

Job Title: GBV Policy & Advocacy Technical Advisor

Location: Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRI), with occasional travel to other areas of KRI.

Type of position: Employment Contract/Expat or National Contract

Length of Contract: 12 Months

Compensation and Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with skills and experience. Local/Expatriate Compensation Package: includes relocation expenses and housing and local transportation allowances

About SEED: SEED is a women-led, local NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, working to create a future where everyone can thrive by protecting rights, empowering communities, and strengthening systems. We promote gender equality and work to end gender-based violence; protect children and promote the healthy development of children, adolescents, and youth; combat human trafficking and uphold survivor rights; and improve mental health and well-being. Through transformational services, community development, capacity building, and policy and advocacy, we support individuals, communities, and institutions to create sustainable impact.

Role of the GBV Policy & Advocacy Technical Advisor: The GBV Policy & Advocacy Advisor will provide technical expertise and leadership for SEED’s policy and advocacy work on promoting gender equality and combating GBV. The GBV Policy & Advocacy Advisor will identify institutional and “on the ground” gaps and needs in the KRI, and advocate for legislative and regulatory reforms as well as improved policies, processes, procedures, and practices to protect human rights. The Advisor will lead diverse initiatives – including advocacy, technical assistance, and capacity-building – to strengthen prevention and response strategies among governmental and non-governmental protection actors, and will lead or participate in relevant sector coordination mechanisms and working groups. The Advisor will also support the design and delivery of complementary training for service providers, contribute to messaging for public awareness campaigns on gender equality and GBV, and participate in program development. The Advisor will act as a strong advocate for universal access to human rights and identify opportunities to strengthen SEED’s impact on behalf of vulnerable groups.

Specific Tasks:

Policy and Advocacy (60%)

• Conduct research as necessary on gender equality deficits and GBV in Kurdistan, and identify gaps in prevention and response. 
• Analyze relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, and track developments. 
• Examine international frameworks and best practices to inform approaches, adapting tools, resources, and guidance as necessary for the local context.
• Consult with diverse protection actors to understand current processes and practices related to GBV prevention and response, and conduct capacity and/or needs assessments.
• Conduct technical discussions with thematic experts and protection actors to enhance cross-organizational learning, harmonize tools and approaches, and standardize care.
• Identify opportunities to partner with government and other protection actors to strengthen prevention and response, build capacity, and support effective coordination of GBV services, and develop strategic plans to support engagement. 
• Design and execute advocacy, technical assistance, and capacity building initiatives to achieve legislative and regulatory reform, and to strengthen systems, approaches, and services for the protection of human rights.
• Draft and disseminate materials to support advocacy, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives, such as policy briefs, issue analysis, assessments, reports, strategies, protocols and procedures, guidance, and tools.
• Prepare presentations, speeches, and talking points as needed to support high-level engagements on GBV initiatives.
• Plan and organize workshops, roundtables, and other events as needed to convene protection actors and decision-makers, secure agreements, and support uptake of key information, skills, or resources.
• Cultivate positive, responsive relationships with service providers and stakeholders across the response architecture, maintaining strong communication and ensuring effective management of expectations.

Coordination and Organizational Representation (15%)

• Lead or participate in relevant sector coordination mechanisms and working groups, including the national Technology Facilitated GBV Task Force, Regional GBV Sector, and GBV Working Groups.
• Represent SEED in coordination fora, with KRG and other stakeholders, and with donors
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, develop strategic partnerships, and maintain effective working relationships with all key stakeholders.
• Provide resources, information, and support to external audiences, as requested.

Technical Leadership (25%)

• Participate in program design and development to ensure that SEED’s GBV policy and advocacy work is responsive and calibrated for impact
• Support program monitoring and evaluation, including development of tools, to build strong feedback loops on GBV policy and advocacy interventions and facilitate course correction as needed.
• Ensure proper documentation of GBV policy and advocacy activities and contribute to quality reporting.
• Support the design, development, review, and delivery of SEED’s GBV trainings for service providers and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of strategies and messaging for awareness campaigns on gender equality and GBV.
• Develop content and provide input on communications related to SEED’s GBV work, including website articles and social media, and ensure compliance with SEED’s storytelling policy.

Essential Criteria: 

• Master’s Degree in social work, public policy, gender studies, psychology, law, international development, human rights, or another related field.
• At least five years of international development and/or humanitarian experience in GBV programming, including supervision of services and advocacy for improved legislative and policy protections.
• At least three years of experience working in a senior technical or programmatic role.
• Experience implementing donor-funded international development and/or humanitarian assistance programs.
• Familiarity and previous experience with the UN-led cluster coordination system, mechanisms, and tools.
• Direct and demonstrable experience working with government actors to achieve institutional change.  
• Strong belief in gender equality and human rights.
• Strong people and project management skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Good interpersonal, communication, time management and team-building skills.
• High standard of spoken and written English, with Arabic and/or Kurdish a plus.
• Experience in Iraq and/or Kurdistan Region is a plus.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.

To Apply:  

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume via this LINK. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Safeguarding Statement 

SEED staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities professionally, respecting SEED’s Code of Conduct and Policies. SEED is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members as part of our commitment to a safe and harmonious work environment.