Thematic Lead (m/f/d) - Civic Space

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 organisations 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 Internationals strategic objective 6 of TIs 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.

OVERVIEW OF KEY DIMENSIONS

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 Consortiums 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 sensitivity

Joining the Transparency International Secretariat candidates can expect:

• The opportunity to become part of the global movement against corruption and make a positive contribution to the work of TI in the field of transparency and accountability working on a wide range of relevant and challenging issues
• A role with purpose working in a team of engaged and enthusiastic experts in the field of anti-corruption driven and united by the desire to fight corruption and achieve significant and large-scale replicable impact
• A dynamic flexible and international working environment with peers representing 45 different nationalities
• A high degree of collaboration and autonomy in a lean and agile organisation with streamlined decision-making processes and a shared leadership culture with servant leadership philosophy
• Opportunities to learn and grow including regular Show & Tell meetings and visits by external experts

Staff at TI-S enjoy a competitive compensation & benefits package designed for staff well-being and work life balance incl.:

• A relocation package incl. sponsorship of work permit if needed and eligible
• Financial contribution to German language classes
• Generous time off with 30 days of annual leave per year and flexible working times around core hours
• Remote-hybrid working model from within Germany
• The possibility of Work from Abroad for periods of time (currently for up to 10 working days at a time for a maximum of 20 working days per calendar year)
• Friday afternoons alternately free or meeting-free during the summer months
• Pluxee Restaurant Checkswith plenty of options nearby the office for reduced prices for meals
• Reduced membership fees with Urban Sports Club
• Mental wellbeing and counselling support byOpenUp
• A centrally located office in a vibrant metropolitan city with excellent public transportation connectivity at the river Spree

Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and cover letter in English merged into one PDF file via theonline recruitment systemclicking on the button Apply Online.

Closing date for internal applications is May 31st 2025.

Only applications duly completed and received through the online recruitment system will be considered.

Transparency International is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and where there is equality of opportunity. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and therefore welcome applications from qualified candidates of all regions countries cultures and backgrounds. Existing permission to work in Germany is not a selection criterion and TI-S supports successful candidates in the process for applying for a work permit if needed.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis and we do not discriminate on the basis of national origin race colour or ethnic background religious belief sex gender identity and expression or sexual orientation marital or family status age or ability. We kindly ask applicants to refrain from including in their application information relating to the above as well as from attaching photos.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that Transparency International does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment and selection process (whether at application processing testing interviewing traveling or otherwise)nor does Transparency International require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants. Transparency International will also not ask you to join any group or account on social media or elsewhere.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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