Field Coordinator - Strengthening the Capacity of CSOs Project

Experience Needed :   Minimum of 3 years’ experience working at the grassroots/community level on development or civic engagement initiatives.

Education Level:         Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, community development, or a related field

Contract LENGTH :      3 years 

Location :                    Across Governorates

About Life Makers Foundation

Life Makers Foundation (LMF) is an Egyptian youth-led, voluntary, and non-governmental umbrella organization. It was established in 2011 to foster youth engagement in addressing emerging challenges at the local and global levels. Since its establishment, LMF has worked closely with community-based organizations to build youth capacities and support their efforts to develop their societies and respond to humanitarian needs and disasters. LMF operates in 24 governorates through a nonformal network of partner youth-led organizations and registered offices across Egypt, with a broad portfolio of projects and local initiatives in the sectors of Health, Education, Livelihoods, Humanitarian Assistance, Environment, and Youth Participation.

LMF adopts the core principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence in its operations to ensure the provision of assistance with no discrimination towards differences in ethnicity, religion, race, or any other consideration. LMF provides development and humanitarian interventions for the most vulnerable while preserving their dignity and ensuring their participation.

Life Makers is a voluntary, non-governmental, non-religious, non-political, and non-partisan movement that was launched in 2003 to mobilize the best of the human spirit to alleviate human suffering and protect human life and human rights.

About the Project 

This project aims to strengthen the role of local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Beni Suef, Fayoum, Luxor, Aswan, Sohag, Qena, and North and South Sinai, enabling them to engage in sustainable development actively. The project provides sub-grants and tailored capacity-building support to at least 30 local CSOs. Through training, coaching, and institutional development, CSOs will be empowered to improve their services and community impact. The project also promotes structured coordination between CSOs and local authorities. Key thematic areas include economic empowerment, civic participation, women and youth empowerment, inclusion of persons with disabilities, digitalization, and sustainable development.

Job Purpose  

Field Coordinators are key staff responsible for the day-to-day coordination of project activities on the ground. They serve as the primary link between the project and local stakeholders – including partner CSOs (sub-grantees and others) and local authorities – to facilitate communication, organize activities, and monitor progress in their respective locations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the project’s representative in the assigned governorate, maintaining regular communication with local civil society partners and beneficiaries. The Field Coordinator will build strong working relationships with CSOs (including sub-grantees and other mentee organizations), relevant local government authorities, and community stakeholders.
• Support and participate in the project’s needs assessment and data collection efforts at the local level. This may involve arranging interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys with CSO leaders, community members, and officials to gather baseline information and feedback for the project.
• Facilitate the implementation of project activities in the field. Coordinate the logistics of capacity-building training and workshops taking place in the governorate (e.g., securing venues, mobilizing participants, distributing materials) and ensure these events run smoothly.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and guidance to sub-grantee CSOs in the area. Be available to answer their day-to-day queries, assist in problem-solving, and coach them through challenges in project execution, thereby strengthening their capacity.
• Monitor sub-grantees’ project activities on the ground through regular site visits and meetings. The Field Coordinator will observe trainings or community events conducted by the sub-grantees, verify delivery of services to beneficiaries, and check that activities align with the agreed project plans. Any issues or deviations should be reported and addressed promptly.
• Assist sub-grantees in complying with project standards and donor requirements. For example, help them understand and follow guidelines on branding, participant data collection, or financial documentation when spending grant funds.
• Organize and participate in local consultative meetings between CSOs and local officials, as planned by the project. The Field Coordinator will handle on-the-ground preparations for these meetings and encourage active participation, thus contributing to improved CSO-government dialogue in the governorate. (These efforts support the project’s objective of close CSO-local authority consultation and coordination.)
• Coordinate the involvement of LMF’s local volunteer network in project activities. The Field Coordinator will mobilize and guide volunteers for tasks such as community outreach, data collection, assisting in training delivery, or supporting sub-grant events, leveraging LMF’s strong volunteer presence in the region.
• Regularly report on field progress to the central project team. This includes providing weekly or monthly updates on activities completed, data collected (e.g. training attendance, monitoring observations), challenges encountered, and any success stories. Contribute reliable field data to the Monitoring & Evaluation Officer for measuring project results.
• Ensure that all field activities are conducted safely and ethically, respecting local customs and the project’s cross-cutting principles (e.g. inclusiveness, gender sensitivity). The Field Coordinator should also handle any necessary local permissions or coordination meetings with authorities to secure support for project implementation.

Core Competencies and Skills

Achievement focused:

• Follow Results-based management (RBM) in achieving planned goals and objectives.

Working Smart:

• Achieve more in less time.
• Balances between work life and personal life to ensure the sustainability of high-quality performance.
• Able to contribute and create a participatory, enjoyable, fulfilling, and rewarding work environment.

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable to making decisions and managing resources efficiently.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for himself/herself (and the team), takes responsibility for self-development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their vision, engages, and motivates others to contribute to the bigger vision of LMF.
• Future orientated and thinks strategically.
• Thinks globally and acts locally.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with project team, colleagues and external partners.
• Values diversity as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener and easy to communicate with.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest and encourages openness and transparency

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, community development, or a related field; or equivalent work experience in community mobilization and development projects.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working at the grassroots/community level on development or civic engagement initiatives. Experience in coordinating field activities or liaising with local authorities/communities is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with the socio-economic context of Upper Egypt and Sinai. Candidates who have lived or worked in the target regions (or similar rural/Bedouin communities) and understand local cultural norms will have an advantage.
• Proven ability to build trust and productive relationships with community stakeholders, including civil society members and government officials. Prior experience establishing partnerships or dialogues between communities and local government is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills to manage logistics for events and activities (scheduling, venue arrangement, participant mobilization). Should be able to handle multiple tasks in a dynamic field environment.
• Good communication skills in Arabic, with the ability to clearly convey messages to community members and to report information to the project team. Basic written English skills are desirable for reporting purposes.
• Self-motivated and problem-solving attitude. The Field Coordinator should be capable of working independently with minimal supervision, while still being a team player who coordinates with remote supervisors and peers.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently within the governorate (and occasionally to other governorates for training or meetings). Must be prepared to work in field conditions, which may involve rural travel and flexible hours to meet community schedules.
• Basic computer skills (email, MS Office) to report on activities and communicate with the project office.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Life Makers Foundation, including professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity in working with all community members.