Project Assistant - Batticaloa
Project Summary
The CATALYZE Project is a strategic initiative led by CARE Deutschland e.V. in partnership with Chrysalis and the Law and Society Trust (LST), funded by the European Union under the NDICI-Global Europe Civil Society Thematic Programme.
The project aims to expand and protect civic space in Sri Lanka by strengthening the technical, financial, and advocacy capacities of 200 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), including 120 district-level organizations and 80 grassroots groups across the North, East, and South.
CATALYZE advances inclusive governance and human rights by strengthening Women Councilors’ Caucuses and CSO Federations, supporting 80 locally designed initiatives addressing land rights, livelihood security, and environmental justice, and establishing inclusive platforms such as Provincial Town Halls. The project will be implemented in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Trincomalee.
Through these efforts, the project seeks to strengthen engagement between marginalized communities—including women-headed households, youth, and ethnic minorities—and duty-bearers, ensuring their voices contribute to policy reforms and governance processes. CATALYZE will also promote digital safety, ethical reporting, and inclusive narratives while delivering sustainable, conflict-sensitive solutions aligned with a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP III).
Job Summary
The Project Assistant will support Senior Project Coordinators and Project Coordinators in the field implementation and coordination of the CATALYZE Project. The role will contribute to strengthening CSOs, community-led movements, and the participation of marginalized groups in local and provincial governance.
Key responsibilities include coordinating engagement with rights-based groups, Women Councilors’ Caucuses, and CSO Federations; supporting documentation and knowledge management; collecting field data on rights issues, land concerns, and governance gaps; and contributing to evidence-based advocacy and Town Hall dialogues.
The role will also provide logistical and administrative support for workshops, advocacy activities, and community engagements while ensuring adherence to safeguarding and digital security standards. Working with stakeholders and duty-bearers under senior guidance, the Project Assistant will help expand civic space and amplify the voices of vulnerable communities in policy and governance processes.
Opening Date
08, Jul 2026
Closing Date
15, Jul 2026
Key Responsibilities
Field-Level Advocacy & Implementation
Support Project Coordinators in the identification and engagement of 40+ district-level CSOs and rights-based movements working on land, livelihood, and environmental justice.
Lead community engagement efforts to ensure meaningful participation of marginalized groups, including women-headed households, youth, and persons with disabilities, in Town Hall sessions and decision-making platforms.
Conduct regular field visits to CSOs and Women Councilors’ Caucuses to provide implementation support for localized advocacy initiatives.
Assist in organizing and facilitating trainings on digital safety, human rights monitoring, and gender-responsive governance.
Documentation & Knowledge Management
Support the collection, organization, and management of field data, including evidence on land dispossession, governance gaps, and community concerns for Shadow Town Halls and policy briefs.
Gather qualitative data for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, ensuring community perspectives are accurately reflected in donor reporting.
Contribute to developing impact stories and case studies showcasing CSO achievements, policy influence, and improved rights protection.
Maintain project documentation, including photos and field records, while ensuring compliance with data privacy and safeguarding protocols for human rights defenders.
Coordination & Administrative Support
Provide logistical and administrative support for District and Provincial Town Halls, ensuring accessible venues and inclusive participation.
Prepare meeting minutes and event reports capturing policy recommendations, community grievances, and key discussions for transparent documentation.
Support communication and coordination with Divisional Secretariats, local Human Rights Defenders Forums, and community-based journalists.
Organize advocacy materials and maintain accurate, updated, and audit-ready project records.
Assist with compiling bills, attendance sheets, payment documentation, and financial records related to project activities.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications & Experience
Education & Experience
- Diploma or Higher National Diploma from a recognized institution. A Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Sociology, Social Work, Human Rights, Development Studies, or a related field is preferred.
- Minimum 1 year of experience in the development or humanitarian sector, including fieldwork, community mobilization, and engagement with CSOs, youth, and vulnerable groups, particularly in the Northern or Eastern Provinces.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Competencies
- Basic analytical, report-writing, and presentation skills.
- Understanding of Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA), gender equality, Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
- Fluency in at least one local language (written and verbal); knowledge of English is preferred.
- Basic negotiation, communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and computer literacy skills.
- Commitment to Chrysalis’ core values.
Functional Competencies
- Understanding of socioeconomic, cultural, and human rights challenges in targeted districts, especially within post-conflict contexts.
- Ability to support gender equality initiatives and strengthen the leadership of women, youth, and CSOs in governance and policy reform.
- Capacity to manage complex activities across diverse political and social environments.
- Ability to build strategic partnerships with grassroots organizations, CSOs, rights-based networks, and local government stakeholders.
Working Conditions
- Internal: Collaboration with Project and Area Managers, Senior Project Coordinator, Project Coordinator, Gender and M&E Advisor, and project teams across Chrysalis.
- External: Engagement with project stakeholders, partner organizations, district/divisional authorities, local government bodies, and officials.
- The Project Assistant will be based in the assigned project district and is expected to spend 80% or more of their time in the field.
