Capacity Building Specialist (Civil Society)

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNOPS, which operates globally to provide project management, infrastructure, and procurement services. Established to support the implementation of sustainable development solutions, UNOPS has a mission to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. The organization operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of personnel who work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to deliver impactful results. UNOPS is committed to operational excellence and high performance, ensuring that its projects align with the United Nations' goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Capacity Building Specialist (Civil Society) is tasked with enhancing the capabilities of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Sri Lanka, particularly focusing on grassroots and community-based organizations. This role involves designing and delivering a series of six interactive online awareness sessions aimed at improving CSOs' understanding of critical legal frameworks such as the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), the NGO Act, and the Online Safety Act. The specialist will develop comprehensive training materials and facilitate discussions that promote legal compliance, organizational governance, and digital safety. The position requires a strong emphasis on participatory learning methodologies to ensure that the training is engaging and effective, ultimately contributing to the resilience and operational capacity of CSOs in a complex legal and political environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Capacity Building Specialist include:

• Designing and delivering six online awareness sessions in Tamil and Sinhala, focusing on the PSTA, NGO Act, and Online Safety Act.
• Developing a comprehensive curriculum and detailed session plans, including presentations, facilitator notes, and practical exercises.
• Preparing training materials in both Tamil and Sinhala, ensuring they are aligned with adult learning principles.
• Creating practical learning tools such as compliance checklists, FAQs, and discussion guides.
• Facilitating participatory online sessions using various interactive methods, including discussions, breakout exercises, and polls.
• Administering pre-session and post-session assessments to evaluate participant learning outcomes.
• Compiling assessment summaries and participant feedback after each session.
• Submitting a summary report in English after each session, detailing activities, engagement, learning outcomes, and recommendations.
• Coordinating closely with the Programme Manager and UNOPS personnel throughout the consultancy process. 1
• Maintaining confidentiality and adhering to UNOPS ethical standards throughout the consultancy.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Law, Human Rights, Criminal Justice, Governance, Public Policy, or a related field.
• An advanced degree in a relevant discipline is desired.
• An Attorney at Law qualification from Sri Lanka Law College is preferred.
• A minimum of seven years of professional experience in legal practice, access to justice, human rights, governance, or protection programming.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering legal awareness programs and capacity-building initiatives for civil society organizations.
• Familiarity with Sri Lanka's legal and regulatory environment affecting civic space, including national security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security legislation and digital rights.
• Experience in facilitating participatory adult learning methodologies and developing training curricula and materials.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's Degree in Law, Human Rights, Criminal Justice, Governance, Public Policy, or another relevant discipline. An advanced degree in a related field is desired, and candidates with an Attorney at Law qualification from Sri Lanka Law College will be given preference. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complex legal frameworks that govern civil society operations in Sri Lanka.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of seven years of professional experience in relevant fields such as legal practice, access to justice, human rights, governance, or protection programming. This experience should include a demonstrated ability to design and deliver legal awareness programs and capacity-building initiatives specifically tailored for civil society organizations. Familiarity with the legal and regulatory environment in Sri Lanka, particularly regarding civic space and national security legislation, is crucial. Additionally, experience in facilitating participatory adult learning methodologies and developing training materials is required.

Languages:
Fluency in English, Sinhala, and Tamil is mandatory for this position. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in these languages to effectively communicate and deliver training sessions to diverse audiences. The ability to engage with participants in their native languages is essential for ensuring comprehension and participation in the training activities.

Additional Notes:
The position is a remote consultancy role with a contract duration of 18 months, starting from September 1, 2026, to February 29, 202

• The role is classified as mid-level, under the ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer contract type. Candidates should be aware that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and that applications must be submitted before the specified deadline. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups. Background checks will be conducted for all final candidates to ensure compliance with UNOPS standards.