- Position Information
Office/Unit/Project
UNDP Türkiye Country Office / Social Inclusion and Governance (SIG) Portfolio / Strengthened Civic Engagement for Enhanced Democratic Local Governance in Turkey
Title
Field Coordinator
Level
NPSA8
Duty station (City and Country)
Ankara, Türkiye
Type (Regular or Short term)
Regular
Office- or Home-based
Home-Based
Expected starting date
10/04/2025
Expected Duration
5 Months (with possible 9 months extension)
Position Number
222192
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:
- Civic Engagement Strategies and two-year Action Plans for CSO/local authorities’ partnership developed
- Local Authorities’ and CSOs’ capacities developed through training programmes and small grants programme
- Proposals on legislative regulations concerning volunteerism in Türkiye developed
- 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
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, paysattention to details,
delivers quality work by the deadline
Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic
problem solver,makes improvements
Learn Continuously:
LEVEL 1: Open-mindedand curious, sharesknowledge, learns
from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt withAgility:
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles
ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act withDetermination:
LEVEL 1: Shows driveand motivation, ableto deliver calmlyin
In the face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards
others, formpositive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious
bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical Competences
Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction &
Strategy
Strategic Thinking Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
Business Direction &
Strategy
System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Communications Advocacy strategy and
implementation
Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
Partnership management Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
Partnership management Relationship management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Partnership management CSO engagement Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs
Digital & Innovation Data literacy Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation. Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration
General Event planning and execution Ability to plan, manage and execute public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.
6. Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Min. Education requirements - Master’s degree in development studies, urban/regional planning, law, political science, business administration, international relations, economics, engineering or any other relevant field.
Min. years of relevant work experience - Minimum 2 years of relevant working experience in local governance and/or civil society projects with technical, administrative, coordination responsibilities conducted with international organizations. (with bachelor’s degree in development studies, urban/regional planning, law, political science, business administration, international relations, economics, engineering or any other relevant field)
- Experience in project implementation of at least 3 projects with international/public organizations
- Previous working experience with UMT, DGRCS and actors in assigned project provinces
Required skills - Computer literate in all aspects of MS Windows/MS Office, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, SPSS, and full internet literacy
- Experience in using online survey tools such as Jot Form, Google Forms and SurveyMonkey and reporting the results through data visualization tools.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section - Knowledge of the 2030 agenda and SDGs related projects
- Additional years of relevant working experience in local governance and/or civil society projects with technical, administrative, coordination responsibilities conducted with international organizations.
Required Language(s) Fluent written and spoken English and Turkish
Professional Certificates N/A
