1. Position Information

2. Office/Unit/Project Description

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) positions itself as a development partner that brings global knowledge and expertise, through a multi-sectoral approach and concentrates its work on areas to support the implementation of Türkiye’s development agenda through project implementation and policy advice. These areas are: 1) Inclusive and Green Growth; 2) Governance and Social Inclusion; 3) Climate Change and Environment; 4 ) Crisis Response.

The Governance and Social Inclusion Portfolio in Türkiye focuses on strengthening governance processes and supporting the development of institutions that are responsive to citizens’ demands and universal norms. The Programme addresses structural issues pertaining to the rule of law and human rights including with respect to gender, participation and accountability while working in partnership with public and international institutions, as well as Civil Society Organizations.

Strengthened Civic Engagement for Enhanced Democratic Local Governance in Turkey Project is a key project funded by the EU Funds (IPA II funding) under SIG Portfolio of UNDP Türkiye. The main beneficiary of the Project is Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT) and co-beneficiary is Ministry of Interior, Directorate General for Relations with Civil Society (DGRCS). The project is planned to be implemented nationwide and specifically in 7 pilot provinces, which are Manisa, Trabzon, Eskişehir, Elazığ, Çanakkale, Mersin and Gaziantep.

As the long-term overall objective, the Project aims that civil society and public institutions at local level work in partnership through dialogue and cooperation – on the basis of willingness, trust and mutual acknowledgment, on common interests and policy making. As the intermediate overall objective, it targets to create an enabling and sustainable environment for volunteerism in Türkiye.

Specific objectives of the Project are:

• Establishing sustainable partnerships between CSOs and local authorities to increase awareness of civil society’s engagement in policy making processes, through innovative enhanced community-based initiatives and the promotion of volunteerism in Türkiye.

• Promoting volunteerism in Türkiye at local and national level, including an improved legal framework.

The project aims to achieve the below listed 4 results:

1. Civic Engagement Strategies and two-year Action Plans for CSO/local authorities’ partnership developed
2. Local Authorities’ and CSOs’ capacities developed through training programmes and small grants programme
3. Proposals on legislative regulations concerning volunteerism in Türkiye developed
4. Capacities and awareness of UMT, DGRCS, CSOs and local authorities increased

The project is composed of 4 main components:

Component 1- Development and implementation of civic engagement strategies and two-year action plans for CSO/local authorities’ partnership in 7 pilot provinces

Component 2- Developing the capacities of Local Authorities and CSOs through training programmes and small grants programme

Component 3- Developing proposals on legislative regulations concerning volunteerism in Türkiye and building capacity on volunteerism

Component 4- Capacity Building Activities for the beneficiaries and main stakeholders

With a view to implement the above-listed project activities in an effective and efficient way and achieve the expected results of the Project, a Project Team is being established within the scope of the Project.

3. Scope of Work

The Field Coordinator (FC) will be responsible for the project implementation and achievement of results in 3 pilot municipalities (Gaziantep, Mersin, Elazığ) appointed for him/her. More specifically, the FC exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementation, management, monitoring and coordination aspects of the project operations in the field.

Indicative Duty Stations for FC: Gaziantep, Mersin, Elazığ and Project duty station as Ankara (FC is expected to reside in one of the pilot provinces or Project’s main duty station. It might also be acceptable for the candidate to reside/live in neighboring provinces to the indicated pilot provinces.)

*Designated pilot provinces might be subject to change throughout the contracting stage. 

The key functions of the Field Coordinator will include the following:

• Provision of technical expertise, advisory and coordination support for the effective design, implementation and monitoring the project activities at field level
• Ensuring effective implementation of the Project activities as per the set work plan in field level and coherence with the local agenda.
• Facilitation of knowledge building and management.
• Creation of strategic partnerships.
• Support reporting and monitoring of the funded grant projects in the field in close cooperation with M&E Officer, Grant Manager and other members of the Team
• Supporting the team in the reporting processes of all components and providing periodical reporting on field level activities.
• Facilitation of the relations and dialogue with Municipalities, civic engagement task force (CETF) members and all relevant stakeholders and grantees at local level.
• Fulfilling additional tasks, as required by Project Manager/CTA.

Specifically, under each domain, s/he is expected to provide high-quality services, including but not limited to the following tasks

Project Implementation Duties

• Exercise overall responsibility for planning, implementation, management, monitoring and coordination aspects of the project operations in the assigned provinces
• Ensure effective implementation of the Civic Engagement Strategy and Action Plans (CESAP) for the assigned provinces.
• Conduct periodical field visits as required by workplan to supervise, coordinate and monitor field level activities of the project in the assigned project provinces. Enhance local ownership of the project through holding regular meetings with local counterparts, and keeping them updated
• Due to the intensive schedule of the project activities, FC may be required to conduct weekly/bi-weekly visits to assigned fields. The frequency of the visits will be determined based on the workplan and as guided by the PM/CTA
• Provide support to reporting and monitoring of the funded projects (grant projects) in the assigned provinces. In close collaboration with the M&E Officer and Grant Manager, provide periodical monitoring reports
• Ensure hands-on management at the activity level
• Ensure overall management of the field, including proper planning/organization/ implementation of events/meetings, communication and advocacy with relevant stakeholders, and coordination of all project activities
• Coordination of the issues related to the pilot municipalities including the organization and facilitation of Civic Engagement Task Force (CETF) meetings, coordination meetings, training courses ensuring that the actions are completed successfully
• Run the local level consultations in a participatory way and make sure that the results are reflected in grant priorities and management
• Performing any other duties assigned by the Project Manager/CTA

Administrative Duties

• Coordinate and provide support to the activities of PT and STEs working in the field
• Prepare background documents, presentations, briefs, issues papers, progress reports for the PSC meetings and for donor reporting. Follow-up on the implementation of PSC decisions and recommendations
• In the absence of other team members, take minutes of meetings / prepare briefing notes about the meetings attended and follows on agreed-upon actions
• Preparing qualitative/quantitative data and field reports and providing technical input to donors, beneficiary and UN reports, providing substantive information input for the preparation of respective UN reports
• Ensure timely production and submission of all partial and/or progress reports on agreed periods with the Project Manager
• Prepare necessary documentation for field visits

Support in preparation, review and editing of all reports and presentations including publications within the scope of the Project and its Components

Communication and Advocacy Duties

• Maintain close liaison with local and international CSOs and local authorities, ensuring a constant information flow and information dissemination between and among the local/ national authorities
• Maintain close liaison with local stakeholders in the field and facilitate resolution of any bottlenecks in liaison with Project Manager
• Advocate Civic Engagement Strategy and Action Plan in the field, supporting local authorities and CSOs in implementation and development of the CESAPs
• Ensure efficient strategic partnerships management and advocacy effort with all relevant stakeholders, identifying and establishing contacts
• Ensure close coordination and communication with other field coordinators assigned to other project provinces

Monitoring Duties

• Monitor, analyze and report on any major accomplishments and progress as well as identifying any potential or actual bottlenecks in relations local actor
• Ensure proper monitoring of activities in the assigned region(s) and provide assessment of progress in the assigned region(s); conduct verification of information and reporting incidents

4. Institutional Arrangement

Field Coordinator will report to the Chief Technical Advisor / Project Manager and will work under the overall guidance of the PM. S/he will also be closely working with the Focal Points designated by the European Union Delegation to Turkey (EUD), Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT), while undertaking the tasks regarding implementation of the Project.

Field Coordinator will be serving on a full-time basis during the project period. In addition to her/his daily routine, with a view to implement the project activities in an effective and efficient way and achieve the expected results of the Project, a team of consultants will be established within the scope of the Project. Field Coordinator might be tasked to support the consultants at the designated fields throughout their performance within the scope of the Project.

UNDP Türkiye CO will:

• provide the Field Coordinator with relevant documents,
• provide the Field Coordinator with full support in any further analysis of the data where necessary,
• facilitate communication with other stakeholders.

Field Coordinator shall work remotely on a home-based modality with the possibility of periodical visits to be conducted to Ankara for meeting or reporting purposes UNDP will provide computer(laptop) for the work of the Field Coordinator.

UNDP is not required to provide any physical facility for the work of Field Coordinator. However, depending on the availability of physical facilities (e.g. working space, computer, printer, telephone lines, Internet connection etc.) and at the discretion of the UNDP, such facilities may be provided.

All reports should be submitted in English and/or Turkish (as requested by UNDP)

5. Competencies 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competences 

6. Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA