Country Director in Iraq

Country: Iraq

Starting Date: ASAP

Contract Length: 18-24 months with possibility of extension

Job Location: Erbil, Iraq (KRI) with travels within country

Reports to: Regional Director for Middle East

People in Need (PIN) is an international, non-profit organization providing humanitarian and development assistance in over 20 countries worldwide. PIN draws on extensive past experiences and lessons learned across development, emergency and post emergency contexts to design, implement and monitor quality programming. PIN has been working in Iraq since 2011, providing an early recovery support to conflict-affected communities. Programmes in Iraq focus mainly on Education, Wash, in addition to Early Recovery and Livelihoods activities. PIN’s Iraq humanitarian response annual turnover is over $10 million, engaging over 80 full- time staff members across Erbil and Iraq field offices.

Country Director (CD) is the main representative of PIN at provincial as well as country level and is responsible for strategic leadership of the country program. CD supervises the country programs, finances, human resources, logistics and security. Considerable part of CD's responsibilities consists of medium-term and long-term activities, strategic planning, establishment and maintenance of managerial procedures, recording and putting in use of lessons learned and capacity building. Key responsibilities also lie in representing the organization, networking and fundraising. Another important role is supporting, motivating and consulting the country program’s staff.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Senior Management and Strategic Planning

• Plan development of the country program in accordance with local needs and PIN country strategy
• Lead the country management team and coordinate all its operations
• Supervise the program teams, finance, compliance and administration as well as human resources, logistics and security
• Ensure medium-term and long-term strategic planning, establishment and maintenance of managerial procedures, recording and putting in use of lessons learned and capacity building

Finance & Administration

• Supervise the finance and administration unit of the mission. Together with Head of Systems and Operations and Finance manager prepares and supervises mission budget and overall economic situation

Project Management

• In cooperation with HoP (Head of Programs), support and supervise senior program staff, follow all phases of the Project cycle management (PCM), and actively participate and lead the design of new programs
• Actively contribute to development of new proposals, in line with PIN country strategy and PIN Relief and Development Department strategy
• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting to donors and HQ
• Actively monitor program implementation in their areas and provide feedback to program staff

Representation and Fundraising

• Network among donors and key stakeholders to actively seek funding opportunities, help increase the quality of proposals, understand donor priorities and ensure coordination
• Represent PIN at meetings with government partners, regional and local authorities, donors, local agencies, coordination bodies and other relevant stakeholders, at all levels of project implementation as required
• Ensure fundraising from institutional donors and financial stability of the mission, including preparation of project proposals in cooperation with program staff

Human Resource Management

• Plan HR needs of the mission and take part in the process of selection of new staff (expatriate and senior national)
• Supervise capacity building and ensure sufficient human resources for the projects to meet its objectives
• Ensure coherent policy towards recruitment, remuneration and bonuses across the country program

Security

• Supervise that all security and safety rules (SOPs) are set-up and followed, keeping security policy up to date and enforcing its implementation in cooperation with national Security manager and international Security Advisor. Ensure the safest possible working conditions to minimize health risks and secure PIN assets.
• In cooperation with PIN security department ensure that security measures are adequate to a given situation
• Maintain awareness of political and security developments in the country, continuously analyse potential implications of these developments for PIN operations and adjust country program strategy accordingly
• Lead of supervise incident management as needed

MAIN REQUIREMENTS:

• Solid leadership and staff management skills, with a record of managing large, diverse teams and contributing to the capacity building of national and international staff
• Experience within the region and understanding of local dynamics highly preferred
• Proven experience in management, fundraising, project development, donor liaison
• Knowledge of institutional donor environment, proven experience with donor relations, proposal development and external communications
• Familiarity with conflicts settings, experience with working in insecure environments a significant advantage
• At least five years of relevant experience with excellent spoken and written English
• Proven experience in team management, security management, fundraising, project development and donor liaison
• Reliable and self-reliant personality
• Dynamic and result-oriented profile
• Ability to organize and plan effectively
• Critical analysis and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in difficult conditions and under pressure
• Responsible and systematic
• Cultural sensitivity, experience with development projects/international work experience is strongly welcome
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong ability and willingness to transfer knowledge

PIN OFFERS:

• Flexible and challenging working environment with room for personal growth
• Robust and thorough induction training at HQ (2 weeks)
• HEAT training (unless the candidate participated in one recently)
• Starting salary defined by PIN salary scale
• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work, plus regional travel benefits according to PIN’s policy;
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure,
• Medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available on line,
• Travel insurance,
• 25 days of paid leave annually
• Accommodation in PIN guesthouse or housing allowance

HOW TO APPLY:

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV (no longer than 4 pages) and short cover letter via this link. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).