Background
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) is a National Chapter of Transparency International (TI), the leading global movement against corruption. TISL raises awareness of the damaging effects of corruption and works with partners in government, business and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to tackle it.
SCOPE OF THE ROLE:
Senior Officer Advocacy and Research is responsible to support, initiate and manage multiple advocacy interventions including policy influencing and public interest litigation. The role holder will be responsible towards mainstreaming advocacy into programmes, and implement project-based and organisational advocacy that are underpinned by sound research under the guidance of the Senior Manager. The post holder will be responsible for initiating, supporting the delivery of the annual work plan and advocacy strategy.
In the event of unexpected and critical interventions, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
Responsibilities:
Advocacy Oversight
- Identify and maintain strong relationships with key government, public sector, civil society, citizen, private sector and media stakeholders related to TISL’s anti-corruption and good governance mandate at all levels.
- Support to create and implement a cross-cutting advocacy strategy for TISL based on ongoing data/learnings and the organization’s Strategic Plan.
- Implement and support the implementation of advocacy elements of ongoing TISL interventions in tandem with program activities.
- Conduct and support research to ensure that research is mainstreamed across the organization as a prerequisite to advocacy and program design.
- Create, sustain, and follow up with stakeholder networks that express interest in TISL’s work.
- Identify and support opportunities to engage in national, regional and international advocacy on anti-corruption and governance.
- Manage the initiation and maintenance of public interest litigation in response to corruption issues.
- Support to provide guidance to the Advocacy team members.
- Liaise closely and assist in planning advocacy interventions on press and media with the Communications team.
- Identify emerging anti-corruption issues and global trends in combating corruption.
- Track, fact-find and respond to ongoing and emerging anti-corruption issues and maintain organization’s public platform for reporting corruption issues.
- Support to design and implement advocacy materials and tools.
- Work towards the achievement of organization-wide objectives and results related to anti-corruption and good governance.
- Assist the Manager/Senior Manager in developing the annual work plan, MEL plan and implementation plan.
- Assist in/lead implementation of the annual work plan and ensure quality of TISL advocacy programme in the field.
- Be up-to date with anti-corruption legal framework in Sri Lanka .
- Draft, monitor, and follow up on organisational Right to Information applications as an advocacy tool.
- Support initiating and conducting capacity development on advocacy, governance and anti-corruption for staff and stakeholders as a resource person.
- Support and represent the organisation at public fora (panels, workshops, trainings, discussions, events etc.), including media appearances.
- Engage in ancillary tasks related to advocacy and programmes including drafting of reports, budgets etc.
Utilizing of resources and liaising with stakeholders
- Effective utilization of organizational resources.
- Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling TISL values
- Contribute to and support positive morale within teams
Skills, Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in law, governance, international relations or a closely relevant field.
- Over 2 years of relevant work experience.
- Demonstrable knowledge of how advocacy and research can be utilized in furthering TISL’s mission of combating corruption.
- Experience in litigation and/or governance will be an added advantage
- Networking skills with civil society and government counterparts.
- Excellent written and oral English communication skills, with fluency in one of the local languages (Sinhala / Tamil).
- Diplomacy and tactful negotiation skills.
- Experience with diverse stakeholders.
- Computer literacy.
- Good fact-finding and research skills, and strong writing skills.
- Ability and willingness to handle associated risks.
- Ability and willingness for national. Regional and international travel.
- Commitment to human rights, inclusivity and diversity.
- A sound understanding of principles of governance.
Core Values
- Professionalism in what we do
- Transparency & Accountability
- Respect for each other
- Strive for Democracy
- Lifestyle of Integrity
- Creativity
Qualified candidates are invited to send their CV including the names of two non-related referees by email to careers@tisrilanka.org indicating the position applied for in the subject line on or before 10st July 2026. As this is an immediate vacancy, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Only shortlisted candidates would be contacted by TISL