We're hiring: GBV Coordinator (female)

Position title: GBV Coordinator (female)

Duration: One year with possible extension

Location: Duhok, Zakho, Domiz 2 camp

Deadline for submission: 10th June 2021 

Job summary:
The primary function of the GBV Coordinator is to provide technical guidance and supervision for the successful implementation of all protection activities, in particular GBV prevention and response activities of the Lotus Flower in multiple sites in Duhok and Zakho cities and Domiz 2 camp. The GBV Coordinator’s role is to ensure quality of implementation of protection-related program components, guide development of future protection activities, and provide support to protection staff in the field sites. She will also be responsible for managing donor relations and country-level representation.

Tasks and responsibilities:

·      Program planning: In close cooperation with the members of the GBV team, you will develop steps and procedures for timely planning and implementation of all elements in the GBV program, in particular all training, GBV response, prevention, and coordination activities

·      Provide strategic direction and undertake analysis of GBV trends, gaps in services, and Lotus Flower capacities to better address needs

·      Contribute to program design and oversee the preparation of concept notes and proposals

·      Contribute to ongoing programmatic assessments

·      Prepare financial plans including procurement and spending plans in line with protection programs

·      Work with logistics to procure protection program supplies

·      Program implementation and capacity development

·      Provide ongoing technical support and capacity-building for protection staff during program implementation

·      Organise and lead technical training as needed for GBV staff and other (field-based) staff working in other response sectors to ensure protection mainstreaming

·      Provide technical support to strengthen and standardise programming across sites, including psychosocial support activities and case management systems, outreach and prevention strategies, youth-oriented response and awareness-raising efforts

·      Compile monthly, quarterly, and other reports, on time and with accurate data

·      Spearhead establishment of women and youth friendly spaces as hubs for recreational activities, training, information, and support for women and youth

·      Coordination: Work with other partners to ensure smooth functioning of referral network for protection response, including timely and confidential access to all available components of GBV response

·      Promote and support strategies for staff self-care and arrange regular field visits to support field teams

·      Code of Conduct: It is our shared responsibility and obligation to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report them.

 
Required qualifications and skills:

·      A university graduate with at least three years of experience in a relevant field, and of work in protection project implementation in a humanitarian/recovery context

·      Ideally the candidate should be able to use MS Word, Excel and have knowledge of Microsoft Project

·      Fluency in written and spoken Arabic, Kurdish and English

·      Proven communication, interpersonal, representation, negotiation and leadership skills

·      Proven skills and experience in report writing and budget management
 

How to apply:
Please send your CV and cover letter to careers@thelotusflower.org, stating “GBV coordinator vacant position“ in the subject line of your email.

We're hiring: Psychologist

Position title: Psychologist

Duration: One year with possible extension 

Location: Duhok, Zakho, Domiz 2 camp

Deadline for submission: 10th June 2021

Job overview:
Psychologists working with the Lotus Flower interview patients, perform diagnostic tests and give individual, family, and group psychotherapy. They help people understand and manage their problems by identifying their strengths and available helpful resources.

Duties and responsibilities:
This job generally requires the ability to do the following work: 

·      Work within the framework of The Lotus Flower’s Code of Conduct and Human Resource policy, and implement the safeguarding policy. The policy documents will be provided on the first day of employment and the new employee will be required to read and sign the documents

·      Provide effective individual, family and group psychotherapy

·      Determine realistic goals for psychotherapy

·      Perform psycho-diagnostic evaluations

·      Supervise staff, fellows and interns

·      Attend program development for patients treated or evaluated

·      Demonstrate an understanding of patient needs when devising and implementing treatment

·      Provide team consultation

·      Provide assessment and recommendations for appropriate treatments

·      Diagnose and treat various mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders

·      Review relevant literature, synthesise evidence-based materials, and translate complex behavioural health concepts

·      Conduct case management and other administrative tasks as needed

·      Provide referral services to outside therapists, clinics and treatment facilities

·      Plan and provide clear and intentional-focused instruction based on individual beneficiary goals using state standards, subject matter content, and district curriculum

·      Consult with staff and parents, making recommendations for developmentally appropriate services and strategies to assist in improving beneficiary achievement

·      Act as a liaison with community agencies that provide services to women and girls

·      Provide behaviour consultation for beneficiary by designing and implementing measurable interventions

Qualifications and preferred skills: 

·      A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field

·      2+ years’ experience in clinical psychology, primary care or behavioural medicine preferred

·      In-depth knowledge and experience in individual, group, couples and family psychology

·      Demonstrated skills in supervision of clinical staff and trainees

·      Proven experience in administering findings of current studies into clinical curriculum

·      Ability to work with diverse groups of people as a member of a multi-cultural team, and to reflect and integrate new ideas into the project

·      Ability to think critically, to assess the needs of local populations and to have a problem-solving attitude

·      Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines, be adaptable and work with others in a fast-paced environment

·      Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

·      Full command of Kurdish, Arabic and English required, with excellent written and verbal communication skills

·      Creativity, a sense of humour and patience are also welcomed.

Psychologist skills and competencies:

In addition to education and licensing requirements, individuals need certain characteristics called soft skills, including:

·      Interpersonal skills, meaning that you can relate well to people

·      Communication skills, in talking and listening to clients

·      Patience to see treatment through to its conclusion.

·      Trustworthiness, as you will be expected to keep patient information confidential

·      Empathy and the ability to understand and identify with another person’s

experiences to help them understand the cause of their feelings

·      Critical thinking skills to determine an accurate diagnosis and develop a proper treatment plan.

How to apply:

Please send your updated CV and cover letter to careers@thelotusflower.org, using “Psychologist vacant position“ in the subject line of your email.

Eid celebrations are a success after our appeal

The Lotus Flower’s Ramadan appeal came to a happy end as children supported by the campaign proudly wore their new outfits for this year’s Eid celebrations.

With your help, our appeal raised thousands of pounds, allowing vulnerable and single mothers to treat their children to celebratory outfits to commemorate the end of the annual holy month.

As part of the festivities, the youngsters handed out sweets and smiled for the cameras – and the occasion brought some welcome relief to their tough daily lives in camp. After years of conflict, they and their families are still unable to return home, and with so few resources available to them on the ground, these small comforts were very well received - as you can see from our lovely photos.

The campaign had previously seen us escort large groups of children from camps including Domiz 2 and Rwanga to the local Moda mall in Duhok, where they were could pick out special clothing, accessories and shoes for their low-key family celebrations.

Not only did the shopping trips provide a welcome distraction from life in a pandemic for the youngsters, but it showed them how so many others around the world are rooting for them.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the appeal – you helped make a really big difference to these children during a truly momentous time of year.

Our Ramadan appeal enables children to buy Eid clothing

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the Lotus Flower’s Ramadan appeal has enabled a large group of children to enjoy a special shopping trip to buy Eid clothing.  

Over the past few weeks, our appeal has been raising money to allow vulnerable and single mothers to treat their children to celebratory outfits to commemorate the end of Ramadan.

The funds raised meant we were able to escort 85 children on two buses from Domiz 2 camp to Duhok city’s Moda Mall, where they were thrilled to select clothing and accessories to mark the upcoming end of the annual holy month.

With life in camps offering little comfort and a seemingly endless struggle for mothers to provide for their children, our campaign allows them to recreate a flavour of the Eid experiences they once enjoyed in their own homes. Not only have they been unable to provide celebrations for their own families in recent years, but the pandemic has severely worsened their financial situation, making such luxuries an impossibility.

Supporting up to 200 children in total across three camps, our Ramadan campaign has brought a welcome taste of hope and joy to these mothers and their little ones. Vian Ahmed, the Lotus Flower’s Regional Project Manager, said: “The children were very happy and excited to have this opportunity to go out together and buy Eid clothing. It meant such a lot to their mothers too, who are normally unable to purchase them any gifts or treats. We are extremely grateful to everyone who donated to our appeal and made this small gesture possible.”

Eid begins on May 11th this year, bringing four weeks of dawn-to-dusk fasting to a close. But after years of conflict which has seen women lose their homes and incomes, many of those we support find this time of year especially challenging. With loved ones still missing or no longer alive following the ISIS atrocities, they are also still unable to return to their homes and communities, making Ramadan a highly emotional time.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, and please do keep supporting our work…

First Peace Sisters training takes place

The Lotus Flower’s dynamic new Peace Sisters project has made a successful start, with the first group of women receiving full mediation training.

In partnership with the German Consulate in Erbil, Peace Sisters aims to provide women and girls with the skills needed to lead peace processes and take a more active role in rebuilding their communities.

During six days of extensive professional training, topics covered included the theories of conflict, violence and peace, as well as the differences between negotiation, arbitration and mediation. The principles and methods of negotiation and mediation were also studied, with the women debating key issues and carrying out role plays to put their new skills into practice.

The initial ‘training of trainers’ sessions were provided for five Lotus Flower volunteers and staff members, equipping them to teach women and girls the same programme within their communities. Sven Krauspe, Acting CG of the German Consulate, gave an opening speech through video call, while the training later ended with a certification ceremony.

More than 50 women and girls in the Duhok governate will take part in this innovative project before the end of the year. By enabling them to learn new skills in critical thinking, teamwork, communications and public speaking, they will be empowered to recognise their human rights and take on more effective leadership roles.

Peace Sisters is one of the first known schemes that focuses on women becoming mediators, defenders and active community leaders in this way. Activities will encourage inclusion, collaboration and open dialogue across multiple faiths, cultures and generations, and will also involve men and boys, as their participation is vital for achieving greater gender equality and bringing positive change.

Welcoming the Yazidi New Year with Lotus Flower survivors

There were coloured eggs galore and plenty of smiles as women and girls celebrated the Yazidi New Year with a special event held by the Lotus Flower.

Celebrating with painted eggs

‘Charshama Sor’ – or Red Wednesday – occurs in early April every year and is said to represent the creation of the universe, while celebrating nature and fertility. Around 30 women and their children attended the Lotus Flower’s event, held a day early due to the Kurmanci holiday.

Red flowers and decorations

Participants of all ages joined the activities

A simple celebration saw an exchange of sweets and vividly painted eggs, as well as lots of singing and dancing. Women and children wore traditional outfits, and many beautiful red flowers, which mark the first month of the Yazidi New Year, were also on display.

Women and girls enjoyed simple treats

The traditional celebration came to a halt after ISIS captured the Yazidi heartlands in 2014, subjecting women, girls and their families to abhorrent persecution, murder and enslavement. But following the defeat of the militants, the ancient festivities could finally be resumed, and today, they are accompanied by greater hopes of a brighter and more secure future.

For the Lotus Flower team, enabling women and their families to mark the occasion in this way was truly special…

Support the Lotus Flower's Ramadan 2021 campaign

Each year, the festival of Ramadan brings millions of people together globally to reflect on the power of unity, growth and spirituality. With that in mind, the Lotus Flower is launching a new campaign to share a little of that love and spread some kindness. 

We want to raise funds so that the mothers we support can buy their children celebratory Eid outfits to mark the end of the holy month. This year, Eid begins on May 11th, bringing four weeks of Ramadan dawn-to-sunset fasting to a special close.

The Eid celebration sees Muslims across the world dress in their finest clothes and bestow gifts on their children. While every culture has its own style of dress for Eid, outfits tend to feature intricate designs and luxury fabrics that symbolise purity, happiness and prosperity.

But for the women we support within refugee and IDP camps, there is simply no money to do so. Resources are incredibly tight following years of conflict and loss, and many women struggle even to feed their children on a daily basis. In addition, many of those we support find this time of year incredibly difficult as they pause to reflect on loved ones who are still missing or were killed in conflict. Of course, IDPs are still forced to live away from their homes too, adding another layer of emotion to these annual traditions.

Back our campaign so that mothers like Fahima can buy her children clothing for Eid

That’s why we’re hoping to raise at least £6,000 within the next 20 days, which will allow many of the women we work with to share the joyful spirit of Eid with their children. Fahima, a Syrian refugee supported by the Lotus Flower , is just one of the mothers who would be enormously grateful for the chance to treat her children to this end-of-Ramadan custom.

All you need to do to help us hit our target is visit the link below (or use +964 0751 535 07 55) and donate whatever you can manage. Please do share the campaign with others too so we can raise as much as possible for mothers like Fahima…

Introducing our Peace Sisters project with the German Consulate

We are delighted to announce an incredible new partnership with the German Consulate in Erbil, which will see the launch of our ground-breaking Peace Sisters project.

We will be working together for nine months to provide women and girls with training so that they can lead peace processes and take a more active role in rebuilding their communities. The project will see participants learn new skills in critical thinking, teamwork, communications and public speaking, with the aim of empowering them to recognise their human rights and take on prominent leadership roles.

Thank you to the German Consulate for supporting this important project

Although there are other projects on the ground that foster peacebuilding and social cohesion, we believe Peace Sisters is the first to focus on women in this way, training them to become mediators, peace defenders and active community leaders. Crucially, we will also be implementing community activities that involve men and boys, as we believe this is vital to ensure gender equality and bring positive impact to everyone’s lives. These workshops will encourage inclusion, collaboration and open dialogue across multiple faiths, cultures and generations.

The project falls under our Peacekeeping pillar, which is one of six that ties in with the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. In fact, Peace Sisters works directly in line with UN resolution 1325, which calls for “an increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes.”

While we have previously implemented other peace-related projects, including a journalism scheme with IOM, this is the first time we will be running the Peace Sisters initiative – and we’re enormously grateful to the German Consulate for helping us make it a reality. We are hugely excited to see what the project delivers, and will keep you updated over the coming months!

Sisters' Stories: Ghazal lands her dream photography job

All Lotus Flower livelihoods projects are designed to empower women and girls so that they can establish a career in a field they love. And for Ghazal Abdi Darwish, who lives in the Essyan camp near Duhok, this means she has been able to starting working as a professional photographer and video maker.

Ghazal now works as a photographer and video maker

Ghazal took part in the Lotus Flower’s Storytelling Sisters project, which teaches women and girls how to document their lives and stories through the medium of photo journalism.

Having moved into the Essyan camp in 2015 when the ISIS atrocities forced her to leave her home in Shingal, Ghazal says: “I had to leave my studies because of the circumstances. Life was really hard for us in the beginning.” She began taking photographs to tell the stories of those living within the camp. “My photos were shown in an exhibition in Duhok province, and when I saw I was capable of doing this work, I created a page to show my pictures.” 

Ghazal then began working with the Lotus Flower as a photography trainer on the project, encouraging women to record their experiences visually as a healing and inspiring artform. “I then got promoted in my job and have started working with the Lotus Flower as an official employee,” she adds. “It is a joy to share my hobby with other women and girls, and also to be working in this area.”

As part of the Storytelling Sisters programme, women and girls learn how to use DLSR cameras and photo editing software, plus how to create compelling video content and use social media platforms to share their work. The scheme serves as a creative outlet which helps women and girls heal from trauma, after many experienced unthinkable suffering at the hands of ISIS.

We're hiring: Mediation Trainer

Duration: Six days

Location: Duhok

Deadline for submission:  10th April 2021

How to apply: Send your CV and cover letter to careers@thelotusflower.org by April 10th.

Information about the position

Name of position: Mediation Trainer/ Consultant

Expected length of employment: Six days’ consultancy/ training service based on mutual agreement

Organisational context

The Lotus Flower is a non-governmental organisation that has successfully founded and now operates three centres for women and girls in displacement, beginning with the centre in Rwanga Community camp near Duhok, which primarily serves Yezidi women in that community. The centre opened its doors in 2016, and the aim has been to provide a safe, supportive, and healing environment to women and girls who have survived the atrocities of war and violence. Our three centres work to fill resource gaps by providing community-responsive programming which changes over time in response to feedback, but revolves around six pillars from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: Education, Livelihoods, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Human Rights, and Peacebuilding. To date, this has included much-needed livelihood training, language courses, computer training, mental health support, fitness and health training, and awareness sessions and advocacy on women’s rights and gender-based violence. We aim to provide the foundation for women to rebuild themselves, their families, and their futures.

Project Overview

The Mediation Trainer will be part of Lotus Flower Peace Sisters project which will start in partnership with the German Consulate in Erbil. The main aim of the project is to upskill and increase the capacity building of women and girls to be mediators and actively participate in the process of peacebuilding within their communities. Peace Sisters is also predominantly aimed at increasing women’s human rights and their role in peacebuilding and mediation. Our community-based activities will also target men and boys to promote gender perspective and equality, and to avoid potential sensitivity. We believe that increasing women’s rights and their role in peacekeeping processes brings positive impact to the lives not only of women and girls, but men and boys too. They will take on leadership roles and practice critical thinking, teamwork, communications and public speaking. 

Trainer Duties and Responsibilities

·       The main task of the Mediation Trainer will be to develop training of trainers (TOT) curriculum on mediation and train five TLF volunteers during the course of six days as part of our Peace Sisters project.

·       Develop a schedule to assess training needs.

·       Provide best practice advice on conducting training of trainers (ToT) sessions;

·       Produce a final report.

·       Liaise with managers to determine training needs and schedule training sessions.

·       Design effective training programmes.

·       Select and book venues.

·       Conduct seminars, workshops, individual training sessions etc.

·       Prepare educational material such as module summaries, videos etc.

·       Support and mentor new employees.

·       Keep attendance and other records

·       Manage training budgets.

·       Conduct evaluations to identify areas of improvement.

·       Monitor employee performance and response to training.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

·       Demonstrates integrity by modelling the Lotus Flower values and ethical standards.

·       Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the Lotus Flower.

·       Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

·       Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies

·  Technical Support: The suitable candidate for this consultancy shall be a capacity building and training expert with extensive experience. Good knowledge of information systems software such as MS Office Suite.

·  Planning and Management: The expert needs to demonstrate a proven record in the field of training and capacity building, with experience in procedural development and manual design. Work experience in post-conflict contexts is necessary.

·  Communication: The expert will have written and oral fluency in English.

·  Teamwork: Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues in a multi-cultural environment.

Technical Training

Organise and deliver training to five volunteers. The training should be delivered over at least 6 days.

Qualifications and Preferred Skills 

·       Candidate must be a Certified Mediator (Coach or Trainer are highly desired);

·       Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in law, counselling or related fields is required;

·       Minimum of two years of professional-level experience working in mediation field;

·       Previous experience with INNGOs is an asset;

·       Fluency in English is a must. Knowledge of Arabic is highly desired;

·       Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;

·       Ability to operate Microsoft Word, Excel and Project Management software;

·       Prior knowledge of the Iraqi context is an asset;

·       Good organisational and analytical skills;

·       Ability to work independently. 

We're hiring: Project Officer

Name of the position: Project Officer

Duration: 8 months

Location: Duhok (with frequent visits to Rwanga, Essyan and Domiz 2 camps )

Deadline for submission: 10th April 2021

How to apply: Send your CV and a cover letter to careers@thelotusflower.org by April 10th. 

Job Description:
This Project Officer (PO) position is the lead role in the implementation of a project called Peace Sisters. The PO will manage day to day activities of the project and will lead a project team. The PO will be responsible for managing project activities, project budget and also coordinate with external stakeholders for smooth implementation of the project. The PO will also represent the Lotus Flower in meetings with donors, government officials and other agencies.

Context:
The Lotus Flower is a non-governmental organisation that has successfully founded and now operates three centres for women and girls in displacement, beginning with the centre in Rwanga Community camp near Duhok, which primarily serves Yezidi women in that community. The centre opened its doors in 2016, and the aim has been to provide a safe, supportive, and healing environment to women and girls who have survived the atrocities of war and violence. Our three centres work to fill resource gaps by providing community-responsive programming which changes over time in response to feedback, but revolves around six pillars from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: Education, Livelihoods, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Human Rights, and Peacebuilding. To date, this has included much-needed livelihood training, language courses, computer training, mental health support, fitness and health training, and awareness sessions and advocacy on women’s rights and gender-based violence. We aim to provide the foundation for women to rebuild themselves, their families, and their futures.

Project Overview

The PO will lead the Peace Sisters project, which will start in partnership with the German Consulate in Erbil. The main aim of the project is to upskill and increase the capacity building of women and girls to be mediators and actively participate in the process of peacebuilding within their communities. Peace Sisters is also predominantly aimed at increasing women’s human rights and their role in peacebuilding and mediation. Our community-based activities will also target men and boys to promote gender perspective and equality, and to avoid potential sensitivity. We believe that increasing women’s rights and their role in peacekeeping processes brings positive impact to the lives not only of women and girls, but men and boys too. They will take on leadership roles and practice critical thinking, teamwork, communications and public speaking.

Overall job purpose

·       Responsible for the day-to-day management of medium to large field projects of all types.

·       To manage and develop teams you are responsible for.

·       To ensure professional standards of work are maintained and projects are completed to time and budget.

·       To complete analysis and reporting on projects undertaken in a timely manner and to the highest professional standard.

·       To help develop methods of project initiation, execution and delivery.

Duties and responsibilities:

Project Management:

• The Project Officer (PO) is responsible for implementing project activities in close coordination with project participants.

• Prepare monthly and weekly work plan.

• Manage project budget and inform the Lotus Flower’s executive team and Project Management team of any under or over-spending of the budget.

• Manage and supervise project activities through the project lifecycle.

• Develop understanding of key deliverables of project.

• Represent the organisation in monthly progress review meetings.

• Provide phasing and scheduling of the project.

• Participate in development of the project regarding programme activities.

• Participate in the development and issuance of project procedures.

• To coordinate and ensure timely completion of reports.

• To provide input to the Lotus Flower management and Project Management team regarding project performance and status.

• To help facilitate project-related meetings, including devising of agendas.

• To actively manage project reports to ensure reports are delivered within time.

• To document activities and report to communicate project findings and activities.

• To implement child safeguarding/protection policy and the organisation’s Code of Conduct.

• To operate within organisational policies and practices.

• To provide technical and management support to the project team.

• Develop monthly expense forecast and submit to Finance department for smooth implementation.

• Any other task assigned by the Lotus Flower management.
  
  

Work plan monitoring:

·       Maintain and regularly update the contract tracking tool for Amplify Change.

·       Communicate the upcoming tasks to team members on a weekly basis.

·       Track overdue activities and follow up with appropriate team members to monitor delays.

·       Anticipate upcoming work plan activities and ensure the core team is aware of these issues.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills

Skills:

·       Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

·       Excellent organisational and an ability to work under pressure.

·       Excellent communication and presentation skills (written and spoken).

·       Proven ability to represent the organisation in dealings with external clients.

·       Strong team-working skills.

·       Minimum of three years of experience in developing, implementing and evaluating programmes.

·       Strong organisational skills and attention to details.

·       Experience of working in teams, as well as working independently with minimum supervision.

·       Fluent in local languages and written and spoken English (mandatory).

·       Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Experience:

·       Three to five years’ experience in a similar position in a national or international organisation.

·       Knowledge of community mobilization.

·       Three or more years’ experience in international development or a related field.

·       Experience in programme and financial management.

·       Good team working and communications skills.

·       Ability to work to deadlines and excellent attention to detail.

Other/General:

·       Open and interested in disability issues.

·       Willingness to travel on a regular basis.  

·       Motivated, dynamic, able and willing to take initiatives, learn and to develop professionally.

·       A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and humanitarian values.

Watch the Lotus Flower in the World Justice Challenge Final Showcase

We were thrilled recently to have been chosen as a finalist in the #WJChallenge 2021: Advancing the Rule of Law in a Time of Crisis competition – and now you can support us in the final stage.

The Lotus Flower will be taking part in a big showcase at 2pm GMT (9am ET) on Wednesday 31st March, and we’d love for you to join us. The #WJChallenge Finalists Regional Showcase is brought to us by @TheWJP and @Mo_IbrahimFdn, and we’ll be presenting our project, Supporting Survivors – Women’s Rights, and then taking questions in a breakout room.

We are one of 30 organisations chosen from a pool of 425 submissions from 114 countries, and like all the other finalists, we were selected for demonstrating impact in advancing the rule of law during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Challenge is part of a global mission to "build back better" from the challenges brought by the pandemic, and Wednesday’s showcase focuses on countries in Africa and the Middle East.

All of the selected changemakers are working to protect and progress the rule of law in the face of the virus, and we’re among incredible company in the final line-up. You can read about our project – and all of the other finalists – on the World Justice Challenge homepage – or here.

Our project has been designed to increase remote and online support for survivors, since the Covid crisis has made our usual programming and face-to-face support so much more difficult. Our work is more important than ever, because the pandemic has brought a huge rise in violence and sexual abuse against women and girls, and we’ve seen an alarming increase in mental health issues, too.

Please support us and watch the showcase here if you can – we hope to see you on Wednesday!

Tackling Sexual Exploitation and Abuse during the pandemic

With a chronic lack of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) for IDP and refugee communities since the ISIS attacks of 2014, the Lotus Flower is to launch a second project to significantly improve support in this area.

Our first PSEA project ran as a pilot from October 2020 to the end of December, and involved a major awareness drive and the launch of better reporting systems, as well as increased psychological support for vulnerable people in three camps in Kurdistan where we work – Domiz 2, Essyan and Rwanga.

The project, which ran in cooperation with the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), began with an assessment of SEA awareness and support. As part of this study, we found that 76% of respondents had no idea what SEA was, while 63% said they felt cases of SEA had increased during the pandemic.

As the second stage of the project, we delivered training to our team and established adequate reporting mechanisms for victims at our centres. Additionally, we provided print and video communications offering PSEA advice and awareness at a range of discussion groups. Crucially, as well as targeting women and girls, we engaged men and boys in the process, in order to change destructive social norms that contribute to SEA.

We were pleased that this project reached more than 1,000 beneficiaries overall, which far exceeded our targets. Accordingly, we aim to replicate the success of the initiative by launching a second PSEA project in April. This is set to run for a further four months, and will be made possible with the kind support of SEZ in Germany.

Once again, we will increase awareness of SEA for up to 800 individuals through community outreach, highlight reporting procedures and hold weekly workshops – including for 100 government employees in the Duhok governorate.

Incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse have risen sharply during the Covid-19 crisis – partly due to enforced isolation, job losses and the shortage of resources exacerbated by repeated lockdowns. But in spite the increase in cases, SEA remains chronically under-reported due to fear of stigmatisation and rejection by family and the wider community. There are also a lack of legal services to enable abuse to be reported and acted upon.

For this reason, we believe our work in preventing such abuse and exploitation is all the more important, so please do support us if you can.

We're hiring: Operations & Administrative Assistant

Position Title: Operations & Administrative Assistant (Freelance)

Location: Remote, UK-based

Duration: Part-Time

Salary: £10 / hour; approximately 3 days / 24 hours per week

Start date: ASAP

Position Summary

The Operations & Administrative Assistant will be responsible for a variety of administrative and other essential tasks based on organizational needs.  This is a part-time remote position with flexible hours.  This is an ideal opportunity for a professional or recent graduate who can work independently. Candidate must be based in the UK and be willing to travel domestically once it is safe to do so. 

The Operations & Administrative Assistant reports directly to the CEO and will provide support to the International Programme Manager and Fundraising & Communications Manager. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide administrative support including but not limited to: calendar management, receipts and expenses, travel arrangements, coordination with speaking events, recording meeting minutes, etc.

• Support with document creation & design, including internal and external reports, presentations, and policies

• Responsible for filing and maintaining all files on the organization’s intranet

• Donor management through creation of donor database and written correspondence

• Assist with public events

• Manage and support volunteers

• All other tasks assigned 

Core Competencies: 

• Passion for organizational mission

• Interest in international development and nonprofits

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Able to manage multiple projects with designated timelines while delivering high quality results

• UK-based but be willing to work with teams in other countries

• Energetic, flexible, and proactive

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and GSuite 

• Photoshop / Lightroom, Canva, and other media skills are not required but a plus

Please submit your CV and one-page cover letter to careers@thelotusflower.org and include the job title in the subject line.  

The Lotus Flower is a finalist in the World Justice Challenge 2021

The Lotus Flower has been selected as one of the 30 finalists in the World Justice Challenge 2021: Advancing the Rule of Law in a Time of Crisis. This major global competition is designed to identify good practices and high-impact projects and policies which protect and advance the rule of law in the worldwide pandemic. We’re happy to report that the Lotus Flower was chosen from a pool of 425 submissions from 114 countries around the world.

Our project, called Supporting Survivors – Women’s Rights, is designed to increase remote and online support for female ISIS survivors in the wake of Covid-19. With a rise in violence and sexual abuse against women and girl refugees and IDPs during the pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in mental health issues. But the needs of those we support are greater than ever, the Covid crisis has severely harmed our usual programming and face-to-face support. We therefore aim to shift more of our awareness sessions, classes, and therapy to remote and online delivery, while also securing dedicated legal representation for violence and abuse victims.

You can find out more about it on our specially created project page, and you can also watch our pitch video below.

The 30 final projects were chosen for demonstrated impact in advancing the rule of law in four thematic areas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: access to justice for all, accountable governance, fundamental rights and non-discrimination, and anti-corruption and open government. An additional ten projects were chosen as Honorable Mentions. 

A panel of expert judges will select five winning organizations from the pool of 30 finalists, including one for each theme. One winner will receive WJP's first-ever Ruth Bader Ginsburg Legacy Prize, and a sixth winner will be selected from the finalists through a popular vote by WJP's global rule of law network. You can explore all 30 World Justice Challenge 2021 finalists below, or browse finalists by theme here.

Winners will be announced the week of May 24, so keep your fingers crossed for us! 

Lotus Flower women and girls #ChooseToChallenge inequality this IWD

To mark International Women’s Day 2021, women and girls supported by the Lotus Flower #ChooseToChallenge the gender barriers and inequalities which have impacted on their lives for years.

Raising a hand in the face of discrimination, violence and human rights violation, the women and girls we work with are joining millions of others around the world in calling for an urgent acceleration of gender equality.

As we strive towards making our world more inclusive for everyone, those we support are also choosing today to celebrate their achievements – which have all been made possible thanks to Lotus Flower supporters.

Take Haifa, who lives in the Essyan refugee camp in Kurdistan. Originally from Sinjar, she badly struggled with the aftermath of the ISIS attacks of 2014, which left her homeless and facing a life of poverty. But with the support of our team, Haifa has been able to empower herself by learning English, and participating in awareness sessions on topics like gender-based violence and women’s rights. She says: “I choose to challenge injustice through learning and improving myself. Thanks to the Lotus Flower I can continue to learn these new skills so that I will be able to create a better future for myself.”

This year’s International Women’s Day is all the more symbolic as it falls on the fifth anniversary of the Lotus Flower’s launch,  which took place on IWD in 2016. “We’ve come such a long way in those five years,” says founder Taban Shoresh. “To date, we’ve directly impacted on more than 30,000 women and girl ISIS survivors, empowering them to learn new skills, start female-led businesses and overcome unimaginable trauma. 

“There’s still so much to do, but we can’t wait to see what we might achieve over the next five years. The pandemic has made things incredibly tough for us as a small charity, so we welcome any financial support to help future proof the Lotus Flower, and allow thousands more women and girls to overcome their biggest challenges in the coming months.”

#LoveLotus and Support our Emergency Covid-19 Appeal

#LoveLotus and Support our Emergency Covid-19 Appeal

This is a very difficult message for me to write. Covid-19 has hit the Lotus Flower hard and we’re in a position I never imagined we'd find ourselves in  with only a few months of funding left. We desperately need to raise money to survive the weeks ahead, and extend the lifeline for the vulnerable women and girls we support. 

First off, I thought it would be useful to explain why I, and so many others, have grown to #LoveLotus so passionately. My journey began in Kurdistan in northern Iraq four years ago, when I gave up my City job to become an aid worker following the brutal ISIS attacks in my homeland. As a child genocide survivor of Saddam Husseins era, I recognised only too well the pain and suffering unfolding before my eyes. In my own experience, I was taken as a political prisoner aged just four, and escaped being buried alive with my family. My father also survived a poisoning attempt before we eventually arrived in the UK as refugees in 1988. 

Back in Kurdistan in 2014, nothing prepared me for reliving my childhood trauma, or witnessing another genocide  in which hundreds of thousands of innocent people were displaced, and women and girls raped, tortured and forced into sex slavery. For 15 months I worked on the frontline, aware of the hotels packed with the world's media, clamouring to report on the humanitarian crisis. Four years on, the displacement and suffering remain, but the hotels are empty; this forgotten generation no longer make headlines. 

Back in the UK, I realised how lucky I'd been to have so many opportunities to rebuild my life. I knew I couldn't individually rescue all the women and girls I'd seen, but I recognised I could build the structures they needed to resume their lives. Stuck in primitive camps, they needed safe spaces. They needed healing. They needed the tools and training to rebuild. And they needed each other. So that's how the Lotus Flower came to be. 

Founded in my living room, with no money and no network of support, the Lotus Flower has meant everything to me ever since. Despite being a single mum trying to hold down another job, I knew it was my destined path. Before long, I hired a Regional Project Manager, and our first priority was to establish a safe social space for women and girls. Finally, they had somewhere to seek refuge, to talk, to bond, and to begin their recovery. Over time, our activities and our staffing grew, and with an International Project Manager on board, we grew the Lotus Flower into a credible, well-run charity which has now supported more than 26,000 women and girls.

We have worked tirelessly to lay the foundations, implement proper procedures and create a clear model for funding. We created six core pillars: Education, Livelihoods, Mental Health, Peacebuilding, Human rights, Health and Wellbeing  each with gender equality at their root. Working directly with the community, we've built up deep trust and strong relationships, and our holistic approach provides tailored support to each woman and girl.  

We now have Lotus Flower centres in three separate camps, and operate in others on an outreach basis. We have more than 20 local staff members, many of whom are employed from within the camps, and we have implemented over 30 projects to date. We've achieved all of this in just four years, on a minimal budget, which is why it breaks my heart to know that we are rapidly running out of the funds needed to keep going.

What started out as a personal determination to give back has grown into a fully thriving, actively-used, and desperately needed community service. Women, girls, men, boys and grandparents all benefit from our work, and we want to keep providing the skills, training and support that enable them to earn a living for themselves. We also want to keep offering the mental health support which is so badly needed, and the empowering safe spaces that mean so much.

So that's why I #LoveLotus: for everything it stands for, for what it provides and for the dedicated staff who keep it going day and night  despite low salaries. Ultimately, I #LoveLotus for the smiles it has put back on women and girls faces.

Our plan for 2020 was to shore up our organisational development and grow our financial reserves. But then the Covid-19 struck. In a heartbeat, donors pulled out and agreed funding collapsed. Small charities like ours have been decimated. We've been hit from all sides and I'm sad to say that we are teetering on the brink.

In spite of this, we've still been giving our all to those in the camps, because we know that Covid-19 hit them far harder than us. We adapted quickly and moved key services  like mental health support  to online and remote delivery. Weve kept as many of our projects going as possible, but theres still no escaping the dire impact of Covid, including the worrying spikes in gender-based violence, early marriage and even suicide. This is on top of an emerging mental health crisis, and the loss of jobs and income.  

Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a Catch-22 situation, because while our help and support is needed more acutely than ever before, we face a catastrophic funding shortfall. Your donation will therefore make a massive difference, enabling us to ride out the next few months, until bigger resources arrive. We have 30 days to hit our target, so please support this generation of forgotten women and girls  and encourage others to do the same. 

Join us and join them, and show that you #LoveLotus too.

Thank you so much for reading.

Taban Shoresh,
Founder, The Lotus Flower

The Lotus Flower’s emergency response to Covid-19

The Covid-19 outbreak has proved especially challenging for vulnerable refugees and IDPs, and the Lotus Flower’s emergency action to support women and girls in our three centres has seen us respond to the pandemic in entirely new, rapid ways.

With huge risk of the virus spreading through crowded camps, our teams have been providing regular hygiene awareness sessions, including handwashing lessons for children. We have also ensured that soap has been widely distributed across the camps to stem virus transmission, while as part of our Sewing Sisters program, women have been making fabric masks.

During field visits to the camps in early May, our research showed that many women have been experiencing additional mental health problems during lockdown, while there has also been a rise in violence against them. In response, the Lotus Flower has been providing access to a psychologist over the phone, as well as increased awareness on gender-based violence.

Our regional project manager Vian Ahmed was one of the first to return to the camps when access restrictions were first eased. “After almost two months of total lockdown, many women and girls were mentally and physically exhausted,” she says. “Strict curfew meant they were forced to stay home and have no involvement in activities or interaction with other women, while they were also carrying the burden of looking after children who could no longer attend school, as well as husbands who had lost their jobs.

“The women we spoke to said that Covid-19 has impacted very badly on their lives – many have lost their main income and don't have enough food for their families, while they are also facing the risk of domestic violence.”

One of the women Vian met was 21-year-old Zirka. “She had been very traumatised after being severely beaten by her husband and his parents. When he then chose to remarry and take her son away, we arranged immediate psychological support for Zirka, as well as a meeting with a group of volunteer lawyers to take on her case. With continued support from the Lotus Flower, Zirka has become stronger, and is starting to overcome her psychological problems.”

While Zirka’s experience is just one of many, the Lotus Flower is doing everything possible to ease the difficulties imposed by lockdown – while maintaining social distancing rules. Rather than meeting in person, we have created WhatsApp groups in all three camps, allowing us to reach nearly 200 people every day. “We use these groups to share videos we have created on Covid-19 protection, and also to raise awareness on GBV and equality. While these measures have been very well-received, it’s vital that we can keep providing this support in the coming months, when a second wave of Covid-19 may hit the camps.”

WE PRODUCED A POST COVID-19 ASSESSMENT REPORT 2020. FIND OUT MORE.

Humanitarian Aid for Displaced Kurds

Since Turkey launched its offensive into Kurdish-controlled northern Syria, our team in Duhok has witnessed new flows of refugees crossing the border into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).

As part of our organizational ethos, we pride ourselves on remaining flexible to the needs of the community. We are heartbroken as we watch the assault on Kurds in northern Syria and more people are forced to leave their homes. Civilians are being forced to evacuate for their own safety, and many are expected to arrive in the KRI.

In addition, with the Turkish incursion, ISIS prisoners who have been held and guarded by Kurdish forces in northern Syria will have significantly greater opportunities to escape and re-arm. This will further destabilize an already chaotic situation and put people’s lives at risk.

Founded in 2016, The Lotus Flower was created in direct response to the needs of displaced women in KRI. We operate safe community spaces for women and girls in three different camps. We have worked closely with the UN and other dedicated organizations to provide these essential services within the existing humanitarian context, and as a grassroots organization, we are best equipped to communicate with and react to changing needs on the ground.

We are asking for donations to expand our services and provide necessary items to newly arrived refugees. No one wants to choose to leave their home – it is done only out of absolute necessity for survival for their families. Any amount will be greatly appreciated and extremely beneficial.

To donate, please visit our page on Just Giving.

New Press Release - Fury as Tribunal suggests Yezidi slavery and rape were ‘part of IS law’

Fury as Tribunal suggests Yezidi slavery and rape were ‘part of IS law’

A leading British charity has hit out after a Tribunal rejected a bid to hold a homegrown Islamic State fighter accountable for war crimes – claiming rape and slavery were an accepted part of IS law.

Earlier this year, The Lotus Flower – a charity which supports female IS victims in Iraq – teamed up with a team of international lawyers to bring the first civil action against Australian native Khaled Sharrouf, who was identified as a perpetrator of barbaric acts against Yezidi women and girls.

However, the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal this week rejected the claim, suggesting that Sharrouf may not technically have committed crimes under IS’ own laws. The Tribunal finding stated: “No basis has been put forward upon which this Tribunal could find as a matter of fact that the actions of Khaled Sharrouf towards the applicants amounted to an offence or offences in Syria or Northern Iraq.”

The Lotus Flower’s founder, Taban Shoresh – who attended the Tribunal earlier this summer – spoke of her shock and dismay over the court’s decision. “We are frankly horrified that this decision has been made. While there has previously been no legislation to hold international IS fighters to account, we hoped this case might pave the way for long overdue justice for Yezidi victims. Our case would have enabled Australia to lead the way in securing reparations for thousands of innocent women and girls, but the Tribunal’s decision not only appears to legitimise IS as an organisation, but also their abhorrent crimes.”

Under goal 16 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, international communities are urged to ‘promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.’ Shoresh added: “Clearly, the international justice system is failing on every level. For those women and girls who have endured so much trauma at the hands of IS, the court’s decision is an outrage.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Hogan Lovells said: “We are very disappointed in the decision of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. We are concerned that the judgment appears to imply that slavery and rape were not crimes in Iraq and Syria at the time the offences were committed by the Australian perpetrator.

“In our view the Islamic State in its various forms (IS) was a criminal enterprise, and proscribed terrorist organisation, not recognised by Australia or any other jurisdiction as a State able to enact law, and indeed was openly condemned by the UN Security Council and Australia.

“As far as we are concerned the pronouncements on the permissibility of rape and slavery were unlawful and contrary to the law of Syria and Iraq at the time not to mention contrary to international criminal law. Our clients and the legal team are now considering the options arising from the judgment.”

Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings, said: “Some five years after the establishment of a nine-states coalition, including Australia, to combat ISIL, the search for accountability for the crimes committed by ISIL remains at a stalemate.

“The massive violations committed against the Yezidi people and other communities in Iraq and Syria, including sexual violence and gender-based crimes, have gone unpunished. For the thousands of Yezidi women, there has been no victory, no peace, no justice, no reparations. Just largely official indifference to their plight and cold-hearted judicial decisions rejecting jurisdiction and denying them remedies.”

Callamard added: “The decision highlights the need for an international process to devise an accountability framework and establish and implement accountability mechanisms for the victims of Daesh, including reparation packages. Lack of political will, lack of political prioritization, lack of political commitment – this has to change. The Australian government intervened in the war militarily. It must now intervene so that justice is delivered.”

ENDS

Contact – Taban Shoresh (taban@thelotusflower.org) for more information.