Project Coordinator - Kilinochchi
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 response to Sri Lanka’s ongoing governance and socio-economic challenges, the project aims to strengthen 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 by strengthening Women Councilors’ Caucuses and CSO Federations, supporting 80 locally designed initiatives addressing issues such as land rights, livelihood security, and environmental justice, and establishing inclusive platforms including Provincial Town Halls. The project will be implemented across eight districts: Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Trincomalee.
Through participatory approaches, the project aims to strengthen engagement between marginalized communities—including women-headed households, youth, and ethnic minorities—and decision-makers, contributing to policy reforms and improved provincial governance. The initiative seeks to create systemic change benefiting over 500,000 individuals by ensuring community voices are represented in decision-making processes.
CATALYZE also promotes digital safety and ethical reporting through collaboration with journalists and digital activists to amplify underrepresented voices. Guided by a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and aligned with the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP III), the project supports conflict-sensitive solutions that promote social cohesion, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights in Sri Lanka.
Job Summary
The Project Coordinator (PC) will oversee the field-level implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the CATALYZE Project to ensure successful delivery of project outputs and outcomes. The role will focus on strengthening CSO technical and advocacy capacities, supporting district-level operations, and facilitating 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, quality delivery, and effective execution of project activities. This position is a critical role within Chrysalis and an essential component 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 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 strengthen participation and project sustainability.
- Mobilize, mentor, and coordinate stakeholders to implement co-designed local projects and inclusive decision-making platforms effectively.
- Develop partnerships with Government Agents, Ministry officials, and provincial authorities to advance civic space initiatives.
3. Intervention Support & Event Coordination
- Provide coordination, logistical, and administrative support for Provincial Town Halls, Shadow Town Halls, advocacy workshops, and project meetings.
- Prepare minutes, reports, and follow-up documentation to track policy dialogues, commitments, and action points.
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.
- Support donor reporting through verified district-level data and documentation.
5. Content, Documentation & Impact Storytelling
- Develop reports, advocacy materials, training resources, and communication content on human rights, land rights, and environmental justice while ensuring 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, 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 a change agent 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, encourage 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
