WGSS Project Manager Sanad Safe Spaces

Etijah

Contract type: Full time

Reports to: Program Director

Location: Etijah main office in Heliopolis, Cairo

Travel percentage: 20%

Project Background:

Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) Programme Overview

During conflicts, natural disasters, and public health emergencies, the reproductive health and protection needs of women and girls are often overlooked, despite the severe and life-threatening consequences. Pregnant women may face fatal complications due to the lack of access to safe delivery and emergency obstetric care. Women and girls can lose access to family planning services, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancies in unsafe conditions. Crises also heighten vulnerability to gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and harmful coping mechanisms.

The Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) Programme responds rapidly during emergencies to ensure that women and girls have continued access to essential reproductive health and protection services. The programme supports affected communities throughout the emergency, recovery, and reconstruction phases by providing integrated GBV prevention and response services, psychosocial support, and access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care.

Sanad Safe Spaces deploy trained personnel and community-based interventions to ensure that women and girls receive survivor-centered, confidential, and dignified support during times of crisis. Through coordination with humanitarian actors and government partners, the programme contributes to strengthening protection systems and referral pathways for vulnerable populations.

Programme Context

Egypt currently hosts approximately 480,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers from over 62 countries, representing a significant increase compared to previous years due to ongoing conflicts across the region. Most refugees reside in urban settings across major Egyptian cities, with a substantial number of recent arrivals coming from Sudan following the outbreak of conflict in April 2023.

The crisis in Sudan has led to a sharp increase in humanitarian needs, particularly among women and girls who face heightened risks of violence, displacement, psychological distress, and limited access to healthcare and protection services.

In response to these growing needs, the WGSS Programme continues to provide life-saving and comprehensive GBV and reproductive health services for refugee women and girls in Egypt, regardless of nationality or legal status.

Programme Implementation

Etijah currently manages 13 Women and Girls Safe Spaces across seven governorates (Giza, Qaliubiya, Sharqeya, Damietta, Aswan, Alexandria, and Cairo) funded by UNFPA in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

These Safe Spaces provide secure and supportive environments where women and girls can access integrated services, build social connections, and strengthen their resilience. The programme adopts a survivor-centered and multisectoral approach that includes:

• GBV case management and safe referrals to specialized services
• Psychosocial support and mental health interventions
• Sexual and reproductive health awareness and referrals
• Distribution of dignity kits and menstrual hygiene products
• Community outreach and awareness-raising sessions on GBV and reproductive health
• Livelihood and social empowerment activities for women and girls
• Cash assistance support for women at risk and survivors of violence

To promote healing, self-expression, and psychosocial wellbeing, the programme also utilizes creative and community-based approaches such as theatre, storytelling, music therapy, and art therapy. These activities create safe opportunities for women and girls to discuss sensitive issues, rebuild confidence, and strengthen community support networks.

The programme additionally organizes community mobilization and awareness events in collaboration with UN agencies, local authorities, and humanitarian partners to strengthen access to information and services for refugee and vulnerable communities.

Programme Goal

The overall goal of the WGSS Programme is to ensure that refugee women and girls in Egypt have safe, equitable, and timely access to comprehensive protection, GBV response, and reproductive health services, while promoting dignity, resilience, and community integration during emergencies and displacement.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure the efficient and effective implementation of all project activities.
• Significantly contribute to the attainment of the program s overall goals.
• Foster a collaborative and productive work environment among staff, partners, and stakeholders.

Project Planning and Management

• Develop comprehensive project plans, including work plans, budgets, and timelines, in alignment with organizational and donor requirements.
• Monitor project progress closely, utilizing appropriate tools and methodologies to track key indicators and milestones.
• Proactively identify potential risks and challenges, developing and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of project achievements, challenges, and lessons learned to the Program Manager and donors.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, donors, NGOs, and community representatives.
• Represent the project in relevant forums and networks, advocating for the needs of beneficiaries and promoting best practices.
• Facilitate effective collaboration and coordination among project partners.