Project Assistant job at HEKS/EPER

Background

HEKS/EPER (Swiss Church Aid) is a faith-based international development and humanitarian organization committed to justice, human dignity, and sustainable development. In Uganda and South Sudan, our work focuses on supporting marginalized communities and building resilience through a triple nexus approach that integrates humanitarian response, sustainable development, and peacebuilding. We promote a rights-based, participatory, and conflict-sensitive approach that upholds dignity, inclusion, and accountability to affected populations.

For further information about HEKS/EPER, please consult our website https://en.heks.ch/.

This is a national position based in Yumbe Distrcit (West Nile).

Description of main tasks

The project Assistant will provide technical support in the implementation of the Pads for All Project through strengthening integration of conflict transformation approaches in HEKS/EPER interventions, community mobilization and coordination, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, market access and linkages. The Project Assistant works closely with the community-based peace structures such as the neighborhoods assembles, peace fora, Bidi Pads Ltd, women’s groups, schools, district authorities, refugee and host communities, and private sector to ensure quality and timely implementation of project activities in accordance with HEKS/EPER standards, policies, and donor requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

Project Implementation

• Provide technical guidance and oversight to Bidi Pads Ltd to ensure quality, coherence, and timely implementation of project activities.
• Organize age and gender-inclusive creative and community-driven conflict transformation and peace building interventions
• Support HEKS/EPER supported social enterprises/groups, farmer groups, local partners, and other stakeholders with training in conflict sensitivity, alternative dispute resolution and promotion of inclusive dialogue processes.
• Design and provide tailored Business Development Services (BDS) to Bidi Pads Ltd focusing on marketing, branding, quality assurance, Financial Literacy and Soft Skills (FLESS) to address production challenges, ensure efficiency and sustainability.
• Support the Conflict Transformation Officer (CTO) to generate regular conflict sensitivity updates, conflict analysis and mitigation strategies to inform timely decision-making to ensure inclusive and peaceful communities.
• Explore, strengthen and expand public-private partnerships to enhance the sustainability and expansion of Bidi Pads Ltd outreach within the regional and national markets/fora.
• Strengthen institutional capacity of Bidi Pads Ltd through capacity enhancement on governance, strategic decision making, business management, and marketing.
• Enhance the capacity of the Bidi Pads Centre Management Committee (CMC) to develop and implement a sustainable marketing strategy.
• Develop and scale digital marketing initiatives for Bidi Pads Ltd to improve, visibility, market access and enhance competitiveness.
• Strengthen the coordination and implementation of Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHM) activities, including awareness sessions, skills development, and reusable sanitary pad production.
• Build the capacity of the Raising Star Women’s Group in production, enterprise development, and product marketing.
• Mobilize and sensitize girls, women, youth, schools, refugee and host communities on menstrual health and hygiene, use of reusable sanitary pads, water use, and hygiene practices.
• Provide technical leadership in the development of gender-inclusive MHM training modules focusing on MHM infrastructure, social behavior changes Communication (SBCC), information education and communication (IEC) materials and advocacy products.
• Facilitate community participation and stakeholder engagement throughout project implementation.

Coordination and communication

• Build and maintain effective collaboration with district local governments, implementing partners, UN agencies, community leaders, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs).
• Liaise with the MEAL Officer and lead the preparation of program briefs, success stories, and case studies in compliance with HEKS/EPER and donor guidelines and requirements.
• Coordinate with district leadership on the integration of Menstrual Health and Hygiene into district development plans with focus on dissemination of National Menstrual Health Guidelines and advocacy.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Community Development, Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Business Administration, or another relevant field.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in community development, humanitarian, or development programming.
• Experience implementing Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHM), livelihoods, women’s economic empowerment, or similar projects is an added advantage.
• Experience working with refugee and host communities.
• Experience working with NGOs or international development organizations.

Skills and Capabilities

• Strong community mobilization and facilitation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Good report writing and documentation skills.
• Knowledge of monitoring, data collection, and project reporting.
• Good planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Sound ICT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, teamwork, and accountability.
• Commitment to safeguarding and humanitarian principles.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages spoken in West Nile is an added advantage.
• Willingness to travel frequently within project locations.

• Provide technical guidance and oversight to Bidi Pads Ltd to ensure quality, coherence, and timely implementation of project activities.
• Organize age and gender-inclusive creative and community-driven conflict transformation and peace building interventions
• Support HEKS/EPER supported social enterprises/groups, farmer groups, local partners, and other stakeholders with training in conflict sensitivity, alternative dispute resolution and promotion of inclusive dialogue processes.
• Design and provide tailored Business Development Services (BDS) to Bidi Pads Ltd focusing on marketing, branding, quality assurance, Financial Literacy and Soft Skills (FLESS) to address production challenges, ensure efficiency and sustainability.
• Support the Conflict Transformation Officer (CTO) to generate regular conflict sensitivity updates, conflict analysis and mitigation strategies to inform timely decision-making to ensure inclusive and peaceful communities.
• Explore, strengthen and expand public-private partnerships to enhance the sustainability and expansion of Bidi Pads Ltd outreach within the regional and national markets/fora.
• Strengthen institutional capacity of Bidi Pads Ltd through capacity enhancement on governance, strategic decision making, business management, and marketing.
• Enhance the capacity of the Bidi Pads Centre Management Committee (CMC) to develop and implement a sustainable marketing strategy.
• Develop and scale digital marketing initiatives for Bidi Pads Ltd to improve, visibility, market access and enhance competitiveness.
• Strengthen the coordination and implementation of Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHM) activities, including awareness sessions, skills development, and reusable sanitary pad production.
• Build the capacity of the Raising Star Women’s Group in production, enterprise development, and product marketing.
• Mobilize and sensitize girls, women, youth, schools, refugee and host communities on menstrual health and hygiene, use of reusable sanitary pads, water use, and hygiene practices.
• Provide technical leadership in the development of gender-inclusive MHM training modules focusing on MHM infrastructure, social behavior changes Communication (SBCC), information education and communication (IEC) materials and advocacy products.
• Facilitate community participation and stakeholder engagement throughout project implementation.
• Build and maintain effective collaboration with district local governments, implementing partners, UN agencies, community leaders, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs).
• Liaise with the MEAL Officer and lead the preparation of program briefs, success stories, and case studies in compliance with HEKS/EPER and donor guidelines and requirements.
• Coordinate with district leadership on the integration of Menstrual Health and Hygiene into district development plans with focus on dissemination of National Menstrual Health Guidelines and advocacy.

• Strong community mobilization and facilitation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Good report writing and documentation skills.
• Knowledge of monitoring, data collection, and project reporting.
• Good planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Sound ICT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, teamwork, and accountability.
• Commitment to safeguarding and humanitarian principles.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages spoken in West Nile is an added advantage.
• Willingness to travel frequently within project locations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Community Development, Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Business Administration, or another relevant field.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in community development, humanitarian, or development programming.
• Experience implementing Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHM), livelihoods, women’s economic empowerment, or similar projects is an added advantage.
• Experience working with refugee and host communities.
• Experience working with NGOs or international development organizations.