The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing trauma rehabilitation services to survivors of war trauma and other gross human rights violations while advancing human rights worldwide. CVT delivers rehabilitation services, strengthens the capacity of civil society organizations and service providers, conducts research, and advocates for the prevention of torture. Since 2016, CVT has operated in Iraq, providing trauma healing services, capacity development for Iraqi NGOs and clinical providers, and advocacy and research.

The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) has developed an approach called Therapeutic Documentation (TD) through its work with survivors of human rights violations in Syria, Uganda, and Iraq. TD integrates trauma-informed, survivor-centered principles into documentation processes by supporting rights holders in documenting their experiences in ways that promote both healing and justice-related goals.

Through TD, survivors who have participated in rehabilitation and/or resilience programming are supported in engaging with civil society organizations working on documentation, advocacy, research, memorialization, truth-telling, and awareness initiatives. Survivors may also choose to document their experiences through creative and artistic forms of expression. Documentation always remains voluntary, survivor-led, and guided by informed consent.

As part of this work, CVT seeks to strengthen its Creative Documentation Workshop (CDW) by expanding it from primarily individual artistic expression into collaborative documentation experiences that foster collective memory, shared narratives, and community reflection while maintaining survivor safety and agency.

Scope of Work

In collaboration with the CVT team and its implementing partner, the artist will review CVT's existing Creative Documentation Workshop and contribute artistic expertise to strengthen the workshop methodology. The consultant will support the integration of collaborative artistic approaches that facilitate collective documentation, storytelling, and memorialization while remaining aligned with Therapeutic Documentation principles and trauma-informed, survivor-centered practice.

Responsibilities

Preparation (2–3 days)

Review CVT's Therapeutic Documentation approach and the existing Creative Documentation Workshop (CDW) curriculum.
Participate in orientation meetings with the CVT team and implementing partner to understand the project objectives, participants context, and expected outcomes.
Participate in a training session on trauma-informed and survivor-centered facilitation provided by the CVT team.
Review previous examples (where appropriate) and propose artistic approaches that support collective documentation while respecting participant choice and emotional safety.
Adapt workshop activities, artistic methods, and facilitation exercises in collaboration with CVT.
Workshop Implementation (2 days)

Co-facilitate a two-day Creative Documentation Workshop alongside the CVT team.
Support participants in exploring individual and collective experiences through creative expression using visual arts and other agreed artistic media.
Facilitate collaborative artistic activities that help participants collectively represent shared experiences, themes, memories, or events while ensuring participation remains voluntary and survivor-led.
Collaborate closely with CVT facilitators to ensure trauma-informed facilitation throughout the workshop.
Post-Workshop (5 days)

Refine and finalize the collaborative artwork developed during the workshop while preserving participants' intended messages and artistic contributions through reviews with CVT and rights holders.
Participate in debrief meetings with CVT to reflect on the workshop process and lessons learned.
Reporting (2 days)

Submit finalized artwork in agreed formats.
Submit a brief narrative report describing:
Artistic methodology used;
Workshop process;
Participant engagement;
Recommendations for future Creative Documentation Workshops;
Suggestions for strengthening the integration of art within Therapeutic Documentation.
Deliverables

The consultant will provide:

Review of the existing Creative Documentation Workshop with written recommendations.
Adapted artistic methodology for collective documentation activities.
Co-facilitation of one two-day Creative Documentation Workshop.
One finalized collaborative artwork (or agreed artistic outputs) developed through the workshop.
Brief facilitation/report (3–5 pages) documenting:
Workshop process;
Artistic approach;
Reflections and lessons learned;
Recommendations for future implementation.
Participation in final debrief and feedback meeting with CVT.
Requirements and qualifications:

The artist should possess the following qualifications:

Demonstrated experience as a visual artist or creative practitioner with expertise in documentation, storytelling, memorialization, and/or human rights-related artistic work.
Experience facilitating participatory workshops and working with groups, with strong facilitation and communication skills.
Previous experience working with diverse communities in the Ninewa Plains or similar contexts, with the ability to work respectfully across different cultural, ethnic, and religious groups.
Excellent facilitation and communication skills in Arabic. Shabaki language is preferred.
A foundational understanding of trauma, trauma-informed language, and survivor-centered approaches, or willingness to participate in CVT's orientation prior to implementation.
Interest in supporting survivors of human rights violations through creative and participatory approaches.
Availability to dedicate time for preparation, workshop implementation during August and early September follow-up, and finalization before Sep 20th.
Willingness and ability to travel within Iraq, including to the Ninewa Plains and Kurdistan Region of Iraq as required.
Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including mental health professionals, resilience trainers, and civil society partners.
Demonstrated commitment to ethical engagement, confidentiality, and respect for survivor agency when working with sensitive personal narratives and human rights documentation.

The cover letter should briefly describe their relevant experience, proposed approach to delivering the assignment, and their proposed professional fee (either a lump-sum fee for the assignment or a daily work/training rate). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The cover letter should briefly describe their relevant experience, proposed approach to delivering the assignment, and their proposed professional fee (either a lump-sum fee for the assignment or a daily work/training rate). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.