Project Coordinator - 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), and funded by the European Union under the NDICI-Global Europe Civil Society Thematic Programme.
Implemented in the context of ongoing governance and socio-economic challenges in Sri Lanka, the project aims to strengthen and protect civic space by enhancing 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 promotes inclusive governance and human rights through strengthening Women Councilors’ Caucuses and CSO Federations, supporting 80 locally co-designed projects addressing issues such as land rights, livelihood security, and environmental justice, and establishing inclusive platforms such as Provincial Town Halls. The project will be implemented across eight districts: Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Trincomalee.
Through these participatory mechanisms, the project seeks to strengthen engagement between marginalized communities—including women-headed households, youth, and ethnic minorities—and decision-makers. The initiative aims to create systemic change benefiting over 500,000 individuals by ensuring community voices contribute to policy reforms and provincial governance.
CATALYZE also promotes digital safety and ethical reporting through collaboration with journalists and digital activists to amplify underrepresented perspectives. Guided by a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and aligned with the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP III), the project supports sustainable, conflict-sensitive solutions that foster social cohesion, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights in Sri Lanka.
Job Summary
The Project Coordinator (PC) will be responsible for the field-level implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the CATALYZE Project to ensure the achievement of expected outputs and outcomes. The role focuses on strengthening the technical and advocacy capacities of CSOs, supporting district-level operations, and ensuring effective stakeholder engagement.
Reporting to the Senior Project Coordinator and Project Manager, the Project Coordinator will serve as a key focal point for field implementation, ensuring smooth coordination and quality delivery of project activities. This position is a critical role within Chrysalis and forms an essential part of the approved project implementation structure.
Opening Date
08, Jul 2026
Closing Date
15, Jul 2026
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Planning & Project Implementation
- Understand the CATALYZE project scope and communicate objectives related to civic space and human rights with district-level stakeholders to support effective implementation.
- Identify field-level challenges, provide recommendations to senior project management, and support continuous project progress.
2. Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Partnerships
- Build and maintain relationships with CSOs, Women Councilors’ Caucuses, youth groups, government authorities, and key duty-bearers to encourage project participation and sustainability.
- Mobilize, mentor, and coordinate stakeholders to ensure activities, including co-designed local projects and inclusive decision-making platforms, are implemented effectively and sustained beyond the project period.
- Develop strategic partnerships with Government Agents, Ministry officials, and provincial authorities to strengthen civic space initiatives.
3. Intervention Support & Event Coordination
- Provide coordination, logistical, and secretarial support for Provincial Town Halls, Shadow Town Halls, advocacy workshops, and staff meetings.
- Prepare minutes, reports, and follow-up documentation to track policy dialogues, action points, and stakeholder commitments.
4. MEAL, Reporting & Data Management
- Support field data collection, output monitoring, and coordination with the MEAL team to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- Prepare monthly district-level progress reports and update M&E systems with field notes, case stories, and photographic evidence.
- Assist senior project staff with donor reporting by providing verified district-level data and documentation.
5. Content, Documentation & Impact Storytelling
- Develop reports, advocacy materials, training manuals, and communication content related to human rights, land rights, and environmental justice while ensuring quality documentation for EU donor compliance.
- Develop case studies, success stories, and impact assessments through surveys and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to capture changes in civic space and empowerment of marginalized groups.
- Document institutional support and highlight project impact through effective rights-based advocacy storytelling.
Qualifications and Experience
Education & Experience
- Degree or Diploma in Social Sciences, Law, Development Studies, or a related field from a recognized institution.
- Additional qualifications in Human Rights, Public Accountability, Governance, or Women’s Empowerment are an advantage.
- 4–6 years of experience in the development or humanitarian sector, including field-level project implementation and community mobilization.
- Proven experience working with women, youth, women political leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Women Councillors’ Caucuses, and community platforms.
- Experience in rights-based advocacy, governance, women’s empowerment, human rights, gender equality, accountability initiatives, and familiarity with EU-funded projects, gender frameworks, and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
Skills, Knowledge & Competencies
- Strong understanding of Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA), gender equality, WPS, and public accountability mechanisms.
- Ability to work as an agent of change with cultural sensitivity, professionalism, accountability, and transparency.
- Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to collaborate with government authorities, duty-bearers, local partners, and CSOs to strengthen partnerships.
- Strong initiative, adaptability, prioritization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to meet project and donor deadlines.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining high-quality project standards.
- Experience managing teams and coordinating multi-donor funded projects, including compliance with EU requirements.
- Proficiency in MS Office, digital reporting tools, documentation, data management, collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Ability to prepare activity budgets and maintain accurate financial records and documentation.
- Strong data management, documentation, and archiving skills.
Functional Competencies
- Ability to mentor community-level organizations, promote teamwork, and provide effective guidance and coordination.
- Advanced analytical skills to address complex social, political, and advocacy challenges.
Working Conditions
- Internal coordination with Chrysalis leadership, project teams, managers, coordinators, and advisors.
- External engagement with stakeholders, partner organizations, district/divisional authorities, local authorities, and government officials.
- Based in the assigned project district, with approximately 70% or more time dedicated to field activities.
- Willingness to travel extensively and support effective field implementation.
