Consultant on hate speech and minority rights

Background:  

Yazda is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2014 in response to the genocide committed by the self-declared Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (“ISIL”) against the Yazidis and other communities in Iraq and Syria.  

The “Know Your Rights” program aims to empower survivors of ISIL atrocities and advocates in Iraq by increasing their knowledge of their rights and their ability to advocate for them through a training program. The program will focus on key areas, including public speaking, ethical and safe public engagement with the media, advocacy techniques, transitional justice in the context of ISIL crimes, gender-based violence, and financial literacy. 

As part of this program, the training on Guarantees of Non-Repetition, Hate Speech, and Minority Rights in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region (KRI) will focus on educating survivors about the rights of minority groups, the prevention of hate speech, and measures to protect these communities from further harm in post-ISIL Iraq.To raise awareness amongst a bigger audience on these key topics, online awareness materials will be developed with the participants and disseminated.   

Scope of Service: 

Yazda is seeking a Consultant on Hate Speech, and Minority Rights to develop a 2-day training for survivors of ISIL crimes. 

The consultant will be responsible for the following: 

• Developing training materials on Hate Speech, and Minority Rights in Iraq and internationally, ensuring that they are culturally sensitive, context-appropriate, and adapted to survivors’ needs and levels of education. This will include the following: 

• Explaining the Different Concepts of Minority/Indigenous Groups, focusing on the definitions, challenges, and significance of minority and indigenous groups, with specific attention to the Yazidi and other ethnic and religious communities in Iraq (Turkmen, Christians, Shabak, Kakai etc). 

• The Rights of Minorities in International Law, detailing the legal frameworks designed to protect the rights of minorities in an accessible way. 

• The legal framework in Iraq and the Kurdistan region of Iraq protecting minority rights and its gap. 

• Hate Speech Against Minority Groups, equipping survivors with tools and strategies to recognize, prevent, and respond to hate speech and violence targeting minority groups in Iraq and the KRI. 

• Develop training materials, including pre- and post-tests, practical activities, and PowerPoint presentations for the module, with detailed trainer notes, the module agenda, and any printed materials needed for the training. The training has to be adapted to survivors’ needs and level of education. 

• Based on the training materials, drafting  2 to 4-page summarizing the key concepts related to minority rights, hate speech prevention, and guarantees of non-repetition. This booklet will serve as a practical tool for increasing understanding of these concepts and will be distributed as part of the training.  

• Conducting a one-day Training-of-Trainers (ToT) for Yazda’s staff to ensure they can deliver the training content in the future. 

• If based in Iraq, delivering two days of training to participants.  

• Develop a concept note for a project on minority rights in Iraq and the KRI.  

• Providing a one-page report summarizing the outcomes of the training, including recommendations for follow-up actions and continued capacity-building efforts 

Ethics: 

It is essential that the trainer adheres to Yazda’s strict ethical and confidentiality guidelines. The trainer has to demonstrate they are keenly aware of survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches.   

Deliverables 

• Co-develop with survivors, accessible, survivors-centered training materials on minority rights, hate speech, and guarantees of non-repetition (including PowerPoint presentation, detailed agenda and detailed training notes). 

• 2 to 4-page summarizing key concepts, to be added to the training booklet and distributed to training participants. 

• A one-day Training-of-Trainers session for Yazda staff. 

• For those living in Iraq, two days of in-person training sessions for survivors of ISIL crimes. 

• A concept notes for a project on minority rights in Iraq and the KRI. 

• A one-page report detailing the outcomes of the training and providing recommendations for future actions. 

Skills and Qualifications: 

YAZDA is seeking an experienced Consultant on Ethical and Safe Public Engagement with the media, NGOs, and stakeholders with the following qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in international law and human rights, political science, social science or any relevant field,  

• Expertise on minority rights, hate speech, and guarantees of non-repetition. 

• In-depth knowledge of the legal protections for minorities under international law and the challenges facing minority groups in Iraq and the KRI. 

• Ability to develop accessible, culturally sensitive training materials tailored to survivors’ needs and education levels. 

• Fluency in English (Arabic, Kurdish or German is a plus). 

• Experience working with survivors of violence or conflict, especially in post-conflict settings, with a strong understanding of the specific challenges faced by survivors of mass atrocities. 

• Proven ability to design, develop, and deliver context-sensitive, accessible, and trauma-informed training materials. 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and build trust with diverse survivor groups, maintaining sensitivity to their needs. 

• Experience conducting training workshops or Training-of-Trainers (ToT) sessions. 

How to Apply: 

Interested candidates should submit the required documents to [[email protected]] with the subject line  ” Consultant on hate speech and minority rights ’’  by February 15, 2025.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps, and late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Required Application Documents: 

• A detailed CV  

• A one-pager with their approach to successfully accomplishing the tasks 

• The contact information of three references. commendations