Project Assistant - Gender and Nutrition

About CWS

Position Title: Project Assistant – Gender and Nutrition

Reports To: Project Officer – Direct

Supervises: None

Division: Church World Service Africa

Department: Humanitarian & Development

Team: Tanzania

Job Location:  Makere, Tanzania

Grade Level: Job grade 3, National

 

Introduction:

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

 

Primary Purpose

Primary Purpose:

Reporting to the Project Officer, the Project Assistant – Gender and Nutrition supports field-level implementation of the WEZESHA Project from Makere, Tanzania, with regular field engagement in the project implementation area. The role focuses on promoting gender equality and improved nutrition outcomes through community mobilization, beneficiary engagement, gender- and nutrition-sensitive activity implementation, routine monitoring, accurate documentation, and timely reporting.

 

Key Relationships:

The Project Assistant will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and delivery of project activities.

Internal to CWS

• Line managers and supervisor
• Project staff across CWS Africa
• All relevant CWS Africa staff

 

External

• Community members, local government authorities, agricultural extension officers, and local partners

 

Working Environment

• The position is primarily field-based and requires regular travel within the project area.

Responsibilities

Project Implementation, Community Mobilization and Beneficiary Engagement (40%)

• Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of gender- and nutrition-sensitive project activities in line with approved workplans.
• Conduct community mobilization, awareness sessions, and household follow-up visits to promote participation, inclusion, and achievement of project objectives.

• Facilitate trainings, community dialogues, and beneficiary engagement activities.
• Ensure inclusive participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups in project interventions.

 

Gender and Nutrition Programming (25%)

• Promote gender equality, nutrition awareness, dietary diversity, and positive behaviour change practices among target communities.
• Support the implementation and dissemination of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) interventions and materials.

• Provide day-to-day support to ensure gender equality, protection considerations, nutrition awareness, and social and behaviour change approaches are integrated across project activities.

• Identify and document gender and nutrition-related challenges, good practices, and lessons learned.

Monitoring, Reporting and Data Management (15%)

• Collect, verify, and maintain accurate project and beneficiary data, including age, sex, and vulnerability-disaggregated information.
• Maintain complete and up-to-date project records, activity documentation, and attendance registers.
• Support routine monitoring activities, assessments, and the preparation of project reports and success stories.
• Ensure timely submission of field reports and documentation.

 

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Collaborate with community leaders, refugee structures, government counterparts, and other stakeholders to support effective project implementation.
• Communicate project objectives, activities, and feedback mechanisms to beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Represent CWS professionally during field engagements and coordination meetings as delegated.

 

Administrative and Operational Support (5%)

• Assist in organizing trainings, meetings, workshops, and other project events.
• Support inventory management, tracking of project materials, and maintenance of project files.
• Provide general administrative and logistical support for project field activities.

 

Additional Responsibilities and Compliance (5%)

• Comply with organizational policies, safeguarding standards, and code of conduct requirements.
• Promote the safe and proper use of project assets and resources.
• Perform any other duties reasonably assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Experience:

A minimum of two years of relevant paid work experience in community-based gender, nutrition, public health, agriculture, humanitarian, development, or refugee-response programming.

• Demonstrated experience working with communities, refugee or host community structures, farmer groups, women’s groups, youth groups, or project beneficiaries.

• Previous experience facilitating training, mentoring, or community engagement activities is an added advantage.

Skills:

• Strong communication, facilitation, and community engagement skills.
• Ability to collect, manage, and report data accurately.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
• Ability to work effectively in remote locations and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, accountability, and professional conduct.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

 

 

Education & Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Nutrition, Public Health, Community Development, Sociology, Agriculture, Social Sciences, or a related field relevant to gender, nutrition, humanitarian, or community-based programming.
• At least two years of experience supporting community-based projects, preferably in humanitarian, development, refugee, gender, nutrition, public health, or food security

Abilities:

• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively to team and project objectives.
• Ability to analyze issues, solve problems, and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to maintain accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail in all assigned work.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively under pressure.
• Ability to understand and apply project-specific rules, procedures, and compliance requirements.

 

Important experience:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Commitment to CWS values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly and work effectively in field conditions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee is required.

• Remain alert and responsive to child safeguarding and PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment) risks; acquire relevant knowledge and skills to promote strong safeguarding and PSEAH practices; understand the Child Safeguarding and PSEAH policies and procedures; and conduct oneself in a manner consistent with these policies.

Special Requirements

• This is a full-time, onsite position based in Makere, Tanzania, with regular travel to project implementation sites as required.
• Understanding of humanitarian standards, gender-sensitive programming, safeguarding, accountability to affected populations, and nutrition-sensitive interventions.
• Ability to support logistical planning for trainings, workshops, field visits, and community events.
• Ability to support basic tracking, reconciliation, and documentation of project materials used for training, community activities, and field implementation.
• Familiarity with digital data collection tools such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK, is an added advantage.
• Employment is subject to satisfactory reference, educational, and criminal background checks, in accordance with organizational policy and applicable law.
• All employees are expected to work from the designated CWS office within their location of hire, subject to applicable operational requirements.