- Overview of The Day After:
The Day After (TDA) is an independent, Syrian-led civil society organization working to support a democratic transition in Syria. In August 2012, TDA completed work on a comprehensive approach to managing the challenges of a post-Assad transition in Syria. The Day After project brought together a group of Syrians representing a large spectrum of the Syrian opposition—including senior representatives of the Syrian National Council (SNC), members of the Local Coordination Committees in Syria (LCC), and unaffiliated opposition figures from inside Syria and the Diaspora representing all major political trends and components of Syrian society—to participate in an independent transition planning process.
The TDA report, “The Day After: Supporting a Democratic Transition in Syria”, provides a detailed framework of principles, goals and recommendations from within the Syrian opposition for addressing challenges in six key fields: rule of law; transitional justice; security sector reform; constitutional design; electoral system design; and post-conflict social and economic reconstruction. TDA has since shifted its focus from transition planning efforts to implementation of the recommendations presented in the TDA report.
2. Background :
The Bridges to Democratic Transition project, implemented by Toplumsal Dayanışma ve Araştırma Derneği (TDA), seeks to create Safe, Calm, and Neutral Environments (SCNE) in Syria by engaging youth, community leaders, civil society, and international stakeholders. The project will organise:
- 9 Youth Dialogue Sessions across different governorates (140–180 youth participants).
- 4 Cross-Community Dialogue Workshops with diverse community leaders and representatives.
- National SCNE Conference to present and discuss outcomes.
To ensure meaningful engagement and productive dialogue, skilled facilitators are required to guide discussions, build trust, and document key findings.
3. Purpose of the Assignment :
The Facilitator will be responsible for:
- Guiding constructive dialogue among diverse participants in a safe and inclusive manner.
- Ensuring that youth and community representatives are able to voice their perspectives freely and respectfully.
- Applying participatory methods to encourage interaction, mutual understanding, and problem solving.
- Supporting the documentation and reporting process by capturing key discussion points, recommendations, and consensus areas.
- Promoting SCNE principles and linking discussions to broader themes such as political atmosphere, legal requirements, and civil/community incentives identified in the project framework.
4. Scope of Work
The Facilitator will:
- Before Sessions:
- Participate in orientation/training by TDA on the SCNE framework and project methodology.
- Review background materials, agendas, and guiding questions for sessions/workshops.
- Coordinate with the Project Coordinator and MEAL team to align facilitation methods with project objectives.
- During Sessions:
- Facilitate Youth Dialogue Sessions by encouraging open discussion, managing group dynamics, and ensuring inclusivity (gender, marginalised groups…etc).
- Facilitate Cross-Community Dialogue Workshops, ensuring balanced participation from different groups, and guiding discussions toward consensus-building.
- Use participatory tools (brainstorming, breakout groups, scenario analysis, etc.) to encourage practical recommendations.
- Manage conflict-sensitive discussions in a neutral, respectful, and safe manner.
- Document emerging themes and recommendations in coordination with the Researcher and note-takers.
- After Sessions
- Contribute to session reports by summarising key issues, points of consensus, and recommendations.
- Provide feedback on the facilitation process and lessons learned.
- Participate in debriefing meetings with the Project Coordinator and Researcher.
5. Deliverables
- Session Facilitation Plans: brief outline of facilitation approach, tools, and agenda adjustments (per session/workshop).
- Facilitated Sessions/Workshops: effective management of assigned dialogue events.
- Facilitation Notes: summary of key issues, challenges, and recommendations shared by participants (to feed into official reports).
- Inputs to Session/Workshop Reports: contributions to the Researcher and Project Coordinator to ensure accurate reflection of dialogue outcomes.
- Final Reflection Note: short document (2 pages) highlighting lessons learned, challenges faced, and recommendations for future facilitation.
6. Timeline:
- 3 working days during September 2025. The exact schedule of sessions will be provided by TDA.
7. Reporting & Coordination
The Facilitator will report directly to the Project Coordinator, while working closely with:
- MEAL Officer (for monitoring tools and reporting)
- Researcher (to ensure accurate documentation of findings)
- Local Organizers (for logistical arrangements)
8. Qualifications & Experience
- High school or bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in facilitating participatory workshops, dialogues, or community consultations.
- Proven experience in conflict-sensitive facilitation and inclusive approaches.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and mediation skills.
- Familiarity with the Syrian socio-political context.
- Fluency in Arabic (required); English is an asset.
- Evaluation criteria:
Experience and qualifications (70%), financial offer (30%)
9. Ethical Considerations
- Maintain neutrality and ensure a safe space for all participants.
- Promote inclusivity and respect for gender, ethnicity, and political diversity.
- Ensure confidentiality of discussions and participant contributions.
How to apply
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit:
- CV highlighting relevant facilitation experience.
- Cover letter describing their approach to participatory facilitation.