About Truth Guardians:
Truth Guardians is a non-profit organisation working in Syria and The Netherlands. The Organization is founded by White Helmets members aiming to provide aid to communities and persons recovering from conflicts and disasters; provide support to displaced people and hosting communities; support justice, accountability, rule of law, human rights efforts, and research activities.
Truth Guardians is an equal opportunities employer and applications are actively encouraged from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
Introduction:
Supporting the Syrian National Commission for Transitional Justice (NCTJ) through short-term, start-up project management support for the initial phase of the NCTJ Transitional Justice Research Support Project.
1. Background
The NCTJ is mandated to lead transitional justice processes in Syria, including through evidence-based research, legal analysis and advisory functions that underpin its work.
As part of the wider NCTJ-TG project, the NCTJ and Truth Guardians (TG) are developing the NCTJ Transitional Justice Research Support Project (the Research Support Project), which will begin with an initial phase of research activities to lay the foundations for a broader research and thought-leadership agenda in the future.
A consultant is therefore sought for a short, intensive assignment to provide start-up project management support for the Research Support Project. The consultant will be contracted by TG and report to the TG focal point, who will instruct the consultant based on guidance from the NCTJ, and will work closely with both the TG and NCTJ focal points.
2. Purpose of the Assignment
More specifically, the consultant will:
- Provide start-up project management and implementation support to the TG and NCTJ focal points, complementing the NCTJ focal points’ technical and academic expertise;
- Support the NCTJ to translate the research gaps and themes it has identified into an external call for small research studies;
- Support a transparent selection process, guided by the NCTJ’s research priorities, and the contracting by TG and onboarding of the selected research studies;
- Help establish simple project management, monitoring and quality assurance tools for the research studies;
- Support the NCTJ focal point and relevant staff to lead management of the research activities by the end of the assignment.
Throughout the assignment, the consultant will apply conflict-sensitive and Do No Harm approaches, and ensure appropriate attention to confidentiality and institutional ownership by the Commission.
3. Scope of Work
3.1 Call Design and Launch – the consultant will:
- Support the NCTJ to design and launch an external call for research, based on the research gaps and priorities identified by the Commission.
3.2 Selection and Contracting – the consultant will
- Support a transparent selection process, guided by the NCTJ, for approximately six small research studies in the first call, and support the contracting by TG and onboarding of the selected research studies.
3.3 Project Management, Early Implementation and Handover
The consultant will:
- Help establish simple project management, monitoring and quality assurance tools for the research studies;
- Support the start of the selected research studies and early engagement between researchers and the NCTJ, and report on progress to the TG and NCTJ focal points;
- Support the TG and NCTJ focal points to take over day-to-day management of the research activities by the end of the assignment.
3.4 Coordination and Facilitation– the consultant will:
- Coordinate with relevant TG and NCTJ staff to ensure coherence with the wider NCTJ-TG project, and facilitate meetings or workshops.
The assignment is adaptive: this scope is an initial framework and may be refined during inception and implementation, in agreement with TG and the Commission.
4. Deliverables – the consultant will produce:
- Inception note – workplan and timeline, coordination arrangements with the NCTJ focal point and TG, and quality assurance approach.
- Call package – call for proposals, research questions, eligibility and selection criteria, application templates and timeline, validated by the NCTJ and approved by TG.
- Selection and contracting procedures – review and selection process, panel arrangements, and templates for contracting and onboarding researchers.
- Selection report – summary of the review process and the studies recommended for funding, submitted to TG for funding decisions based on NCTJ guidance.
- Project management toolkit – project management plan, tracking and reporting tools, and quality assurance and peer review procedures for the research activities.
- Periodic progress updates and coordination meeting notes – shared at agreed milestones with the NCTJ focal point and TG.
- Handover note – status of the studies, outstanding actions, and recommendations for the TG and NCTJ focal points to manage the remaining implementation and future research rounds.
5. Management and Reporting Arrangements
TG is the contracting party for this assignment. The consultant reports to the TG focal point, who will instruct the consultant based on guidance from the NCTJ focal point; the TG and NCTJ focal points will work closely together. The NCTJ guides the research priorities and content of the Research Support Project.
6. Quality Assurance
All deliverables should demonstrate: :
- Evidence-based analysis and recommendations;
- Clear linkage to the research gaps and priorities identified by the Commission;
- Practical applicability and feasibility within the NCTJ’s current institutional capacity and resources;
- Incorporation of perspectives from multiple NCTJ Directorates;
- Compliance with agreed confidentiality and conflict-sensitivity requirements;
- Clarity, accessibility and usability for decision-making by the Commission.
During the inception phase, the consultant shall propose a quality assurance framework, including deliverable review and validation processes, for approval by the Commission and Truth Guardians.
7. Duration
- Indicative initial duration: 3 months full-time (with possibility of extension)
8. Required Expertise – the consultant should demonstrate experience in:
We are looking for an experienced project manager with a background in research project start-up, able to work alongside the TG and NCTJ focal points during a short start-up phase. The consultant should demonstrate:
- Project management experience, ideally including research projects, grant programmes or calls for research proposals;
- Good knowledge of the Syrian context, including research, academic and civil society networks;
- Familiarity with transitional justice or human rights is an advantage.
- The consultant must be able to work in both Arabic and English.The consultant should be able to be present in Syria for extended periods for in-person work with stakeholders.
8. Confidentiality and Sensitivity
Given the sensitive nature of the project, the consultant is expected to:
- Exercise discretion in all external communications
- Avoid public attribution of the work without prior agreement
- Adhere to agreed protocols regarding institutional representation and visibility
- The consultant may be required to sign relevant confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding, and ethical conduct commitments as part of the contracting process.
How to apply
How to Apply;
If you are interested in applying for this mission, please fill out the application form by following the link and attach your CV and a covering letter explaining your background, suitability for the role and interest in what we do.
Closing date for application: 22 November 2026.
Only shortlisted applicants who meet the required job qualifications will be contacted.
Please note that due to the urgency of this consultancy we will review the applications regularly and we do reserve the right to close this advertisement early; the closing date will be upon successful recruitment.
Truth Guardians believes in achieving diversity in its workforce by encouraging all qualified applicants, both male and female, to apply for announced vacancies.
Truth Guardians is committed to its employees, contractors, and volunteers, ensuring they are not subject to sexual exploitation or abuse in exchange for the services they provide. Additionally, they are responsible for safeguarding children from harm and abuse, ensuring a safe environment for them. The organization strives to create a secure work environment for everyone, free from any form of harassment, harm, exploitation, or misconduct during work that may undermine the dignity and safety of volunteers and employees.