Job Description

Public Discourse Advisor – Strengthening Social Cohesion and Dispute Resolution (SSCDR)

Duty Station: Colombo

Deadline for applications: 17th September 2026

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in Sri Lanka since 1956. GIZ is a development partner of the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) on topics ranging from private sector development and vocational training to renewable energy promotion, biodiversity conservation, reconciliation, and social cohesion.

The Action Strengthening Social Cohesion and Dispute Resolution (SSCDR) is a 48-month program financed by the European Union under NDICI–Global Europe. It aims to foster a more tolerant, inclusive, peaceful and cohesive society in Sri Lanka.

The Action is implemented by the British Council, with GIZ GmbH acting as technical partner. GIZ provides policy advisory, institutional strengthening, capacity building and technical support to promote inclusive governance and reconciliation, improve access to factual and evidence-based information, and foster intercommunal economic cooperation and economic inclusion. In doing so, GIZ works with national and local institutions, civil society, academia, media, communities and the private sector, with particular attention to women, youth and marginalised groups.

The Role:

• Lead coordination of research and media-related activities, ensuring alignment with programme priorities and workplans
• Manage partnerships with research institutions, media organisations, and implementing partners, including contracting, coordination, and follow-up on deliverables
• Support the design and implementation of research initiatives, including perception studies and qualitative inquiries, ensuring methodological soundness
• Ensure the roll-out and execution of the Sri Lanka Barometer bi-annual survey; media training programmes and outreach efforts in the press
• Work closely with partners to guide the development of research outputs and ensure they are translated into accessible formats such as briefs, media content, and public-facing knowledge products
• Facilitate dialogue platforms, workshops, and engagement processes that connect residents with broader discussions on social cohesion, inclusion, and collaboration with media actors
• Coordinate media-related initiatives, including training programmes and collaboration with media actors to strengthen fact-based and inclusive public discourse
• Support government and policy liaison for social cohesion-based research and media analysis
• Monitor progress of partner activities against agreed outputs and timelines, ensuring timely delivery and identifying areas requiring adjustment
• Support budget tracking and financial follow-up for partnerships and activities
• Contribute to programme monitoring and learning processes by tracking outputs, documenting results, and supporting reporting requirements
• Prepare analytical inputs, briefs, and updates for internal and external reporting, including coordination with the British Council
• Support cross-component collaboration to ensure research and media outputs meet programme objectives
• Travel to programme locations as required

Required qualifications, competencies, and experience

• A degree in Sociology, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Media, or a related field
• At least 5 years of professional experience in development programming, with a strong focus on research, public discourse, arts or media-related work
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating research initiatives, including qualitative and/or quantitative methods, data collection, and analysis
• Proven experience working with multiple partners, including research institutions, civil society organisations, and/or media actors, with responsibility for coordination and delivery of outputs
• Experience in facilitating or supporting dialogue-based, participatory, or narrative-focused processes linked to social cohesion, inclusion, or public engagement
• Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into practical outputs such as briefs, communication materials, or public-facing content
• Experience in managing multiple partner-led activities simultaneously, including tracking deliverables and ensuring alignment with programme objectives
• Familiarity with results-based monitoring and reporting within development programmes
• Strong coordination and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently
• Strong team work, collaboration experience in the past
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with Sinhala proficiency required
• Ability to travel regularly as required to project areas

Essential: Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae of a maximum of 3 pages (please do not include copies of certificates, testimonials, etc.)
• Details & contacts (Mobile & Email) of two referees who know your professional qualifications and work experience.

When applications are mailed to giz-hrrslanka@giz.de, please include the subject line Application for the Public Discourse Advisor – SSCDR.

Visit: www.giz.de/sri lanka

www.facebook.com/GIZSriLanka

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