Proje Koordinatörü / Project Coordinator -Malatya

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Location: Malatya

Position: Project Coordinator

Reference: Ankara2026-02

 Project name: Fostering Civil Society Participation and Capacity Building In Access to Justice In Türkiye

The applications must be submitted to [email protected] by 7 January 2026 alongside additional documents required and with the reference number indicated.

 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

1. Background

The current national legal aid budget remains insufficient in meeting growing social needs, and serious rights violations are experienced, particularly by refugees, temporary protection holders, women, children and communities affected by environmental damage.

To this end, in order to enhance individuals’ access to justice, ensure the legal protection of refugees, temporary protection holders, women, children and communities adversely affected by environmental impacts, and strengthen civil society activities in this area by establishing a legal basis, it is intended to continue the operation of the three legal aid clinics established in Malatya, Van, and Şanlıurfa, established within the framework of previous international collaborations, throughout 2026.

The Project “Fostering Civil Society Participation and Capacity Building in Access to Justice in Türkiye” is funded under IPA III and carried out by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations in cooperation with the Council of Europe Türkiye Office.

 

2. Objective

Given the current circumstances, the operation of the Legal Aid Clinics cannot be sustained through national or local budgets. Therefore, international funding support is essential to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of services and to safeguard the institutional experience and achievements accumulated in the field of access to justice over the years. Through this component, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations aims not only to maintain existing services but also to redefine the core principle of the legal aid system — “Access to Justice for All” — by integrating social, environmental, and gender-based aspects.

The UTBA’s model is fully aligned with the Council of Europe’s priorities on Women’s Access to Justice and Environmental Justice, and has been designed in accordance with the spirit of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Istanbul Convention, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Aarhus Convention. Within this framework, the project will not only strengthen legal representation capacity but also help establish a justice ecosystem in which disadvantaged groups can effectively exercise their rights.

Through this Action, it is intended to continue the activities of three legal aid clinics (Malatya, Van, Şanlıurfa) throughout 2026. The aim is to enhance individuals’ access to justice through the Legal Aid Clinics to be established, to ensure the legal protection of refugees, temporary protection holders, women, children and communities adversely affected by environmental impacts, and to strengthen civil society activities in this area by establishing a legal basis.

The legal aid clinics model to be maintained under this project developed by the UTBA provides a legal, safe and professional solution. This model will combine the access capacity of civil society in the field with the legal mandate of bar associations, ensuring that activities carried out for the society are part of a legal framework and creating a comprehensive impact in the area of access to justice.

 

3. Responsibilities and Obligations of the Project Coordinator

The Project Coordinator shall work at the legal aid clinics to be established in Malatya, Van, and Şanlıurfa under the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and be tasked with the following:

• Collecting, recording and preserving information on the Project activities and carrying our reporting timely,
• Drafting status and progress reports, and conducting routine communications regarding the project,
• Assisting the preparation of required material to be used in discussions, meetings, and presentations,
• Monitoring the main standards and indicators related to the measurement and evaluation of the project performance,
• Following the implementation and performance of project outcomes through work plans, progress reports, budgets, financial reports and expenditures,
• Having contact with and cooperating with the UTBA regarding the implementation of the project,
• Reporting on the operations and performance of the clinic,
• Keeping clinic archives and sharing the necessary documentation with the UTBA as necessary,
• Maintaining the necessary administrative and organisational arrangements,
• Following and monitoring procurement processes,
• Carrying out other relevant tasks.

 

4. Institutional Framework

The Project Coordinator shall be responsible for ensuring that the overall objective of promoting access to justice within the scope of the project is achieved. The incumbent shall sign a fixed-term employment contract with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and be based in Malatya within the International Relations and EU Centre.

 

5. Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree of 4 years in related fields such as International Relations, Political Science, etc.,
• At least 2 years of experience in the relevant fields,
• Adequate computer skills,
• Fluency in Turkish and English,
• Experience in projects funded by the Council of Europe Türkiye Office, United Nations, donors and/or NGOs is an asset,
• Having completed military service for male applicants.

 Notes:

• Internships are not considered work experience.
• Compulsory military service is not considered work experience.
• Experience gained prior to undergraduate education are not considered work experience.

 

6. Additional Documents Required

• One-page letter of intent explaining the relevance to the position
• CV including related work experience and at least two references

 

 

7. Evaluation

Candidates who meet the minimum requirements specified in the job description will be shortlisted. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.