Job Description
Expression of Interest – SLSU LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group
The Sri Lanka Support Unit (SLSU) is seeking Expressions of Interest from Sri Lankan LGBTIQ+ individuals and experts to support Australia's bilateral development program in Sri Lanka through an LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group, with a key focus on ensuring the representation of diverse LGBTIQ+ communities across Sri Lanka.
- The Group will comprise 6 members to provide expert guidance on LGBTIQ+ inclusion, protection, opportunities and challenges across DFAT-supported programs and public diplomacy initiatives.
- The engagement will be ongoing, with an initial review after one year to assess impact and adjust the approach if needed. (Estimated 6 to 8 days of input across the year).
- We are looking for individuals with lived experience as part of the Sri Lankan LGBTIQ+ community. Selection will ensure diverse geographic, ethnic/language, and other identities are included. The High Commission is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible working environment.
The Sri Lanka Support Unit (SLSU), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT’s) Facility in Sri Lanka, manages a range of Australian government funded programs including the Direct Aid Program (DAP) and the Skills for Inclusive Economy (S4IE), and provides strategic technical advice across the Australian Aid portfolio. As part of this commitment, SLSU is establishing an LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group to provide strategic advice on community engagement, inclusion, and advocacy for LGBTIQ+ populations in Sri Lanka to support the integration of LGBTIQ+ perspectives into the design, implementation, and monitoring of Australian aid initiatives in Sri Lanka.
About You
- Sri Lankan citizen and residency.
- Lived experience as part of the LGBTIQ+ community.
- Understanding of intersectional inclusion, especially for LGBTIQ+ people with disabilities, from minority ethnic/religious backgrounds, and women and trans persons will be highly regarded.
- Ability to provide strategic advice on inclusion, protection, rights, policy reform, and actionable recommendations to improve programs.
- Availability to attend periodic online meetings and up to four quarterly in-person meetings annually.
- Affiliated to an organisation working on LGBTIQ+ issues, to support accountability and strengthen linkages with ongoing advocacy or service delivery efforts.
- Translation will be available to enable advisors to communicate in the language in which they are most comfortable.
Submit your expression of interest to [email protected], including your CV and a brief letter outlining your suitability, your experience supporting LGBTIQ+ inclusion, and your ability to meet the objectives listed above. Please advise your daily professional fee with your application. Successful applicants will be engaged under a short-term contract.
Please provide submissions by 21 July 2025 before 5:00 PM
Terms of Reference (ToR) for a LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group
1. Background
The Sri Lanka Support Unit (SLSU), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT’s) Facility in Sri Lanka, manages a range of programs including the Direct Aid Program (DAP) and the Skills for Inclusive Economy (S4IE) and provides strategic technical advice across the Australian Aid portfolio. As part of this commitment, SLSU is establishing an LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group comprised of a number of LGBTIQ+ individuals to provide strategic advice on community engagement, inclusion, and advocacy for LGBTIQ+ populations in Sri Lanka, including underrepresented regions outside Colombo. The advisory group will support the integration of LGBTIQ+ perspectives into the design, implementation, and monitoring of Australian Aid initiatives in Sri Lanka.
2. Objectives
- To Ensure Sustained LGBTIQ+ Representation and Voice: Create a structured channel for engagement and advice from LGBTIQ+ community members, activists and representative organisations within and outside Colombo to engage with SLSU and the Australian High Commission, ensuring that LGBTIQ+ community needs and priority areas are systematically reflected in programming and evaluations, including the Direct Aid Program (DAP) and Skills for Inclusive Economy (S4IE) as inclusive of LGBTIQ+ communities.
- To Strengthen Regional Engagement and Visibility: Promote connections and strengthen representation and networks among LGBTIQ+ groups across the country including rural and regional areas to broaden engagement, strengthen regional networks, and ensure that advocacy and service delivery reflect the full diversity of Sri Lanka’s LGBTIQ+ population.
- To Promote Safe and Equitable Participation: Identify and recommend practical measures to enhance the responsiveness of Australian government funded programs to LGBTIQ+ populations. They will also provide advice on how to reduce discrimination, stigma, and barriers to promote safety, dignity, and equitable access in Australian-funded initiatives for LGBTIQ+ persons, with special attention to intersecting vulnerabilities (e.g., gender identity, disability, socio-economic status, ethnicity).
3. Scope of Work for the Advisory Group
- Stakeholder Mapping Support: Conduct stakeholder mapping and needs assessments of LGBTIQ+ community members and organisations in identified regions.
- Ad Hoc Thematic Consultations: Attend ad hoc planning and review consultations with the High Commission or SLSU team to provide expert advice on program inclusivity, safety, and relevance to LGBTIQ+ communities. It will also lead to potential advocacy initiatives and constructive engagement with DFAT’s development and policy teams for new program interventions and advocacy efforts.
- MEL Advisory Support: Support design of inclusive MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) processes, including the development of targeted indicators and performance indicators for LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
- Communication and Advocacy Support: Provide strategic input on how LGBTIQ+ perspectives can be meaningfully integrated into SLSU and DFAT’s communications, visibility, and safeguarding practices.
- Feedback Integration: The Advisory Group will provide feedback on issues raised and integrate into program planning, implementation, and evaluation processes. This will include tracking the incorporation of suggestions and reporting on how LGBTIQ+related areas are being addressed.
4. Engagement Approach
The Advisors will attend online and in-person consultations where relevant and provide written feedback on LGBTIQ+ inclusion in DFAT initiatives. Meetings will be scheduled in advance, with clear agendas circulated in advance. Meeting Reports: All meetings will be documented and shared with the group.
5. Coordination and Reporting
The LGBTIQ+ Advisors will work closely with the SLSU and may also work with the AHC international development section to ensure that their feedback is effectively integrated into SLSU’s work across the Australian aid portfolio. Engagement outcomes will be documented and reported in program review meetings, internal reports and annual summaries to DFAT.
6. Duration
This engagement is expected to be ongoing, with an initial review after one year to assess performance and relevance and make any necessary adjustments.
7. Annexure 1: Overview of Engagement Activities
- Activity: Thematic Consultations
- Description: Ad hoc meetings on LGBTIQ+ issues, inclusion, MEL, safety, and visibility.
- Frequency: Quarterly and as needed
- Number of Occurrences (Per Year): 4
- Activity: Stakeholder Mapping
- Description: Field-based desk research to identify regional LGBTIQ+ actors and needs.
- Frequency: Once
- Number of Occurrences (Per Year): 1
- Activity: Communications and Advocacy Support
- Description: Sessions to discuss how LGBTIQ+ perspectives can be integrated into SLSU and DFAT’s communications, visibility, and safeguarding practices.
- Frequency: As needed
- Number of Occurrences (Per Year): 1-2
- Activity: MEL Inclusion Sessions
- Description: Develop and review LGBTIQ+-sensitive MEL indicators
- Frequency: As needed
- Number of Occurrences (Per Year): 1-2
