EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Country Manager, Iraq

by **GirlBye** Tue Sep 22, 2020 11:30 am

Organization

Danish Red Cross

Posted 16 Sep 2020 Closing date 11 Oct 2020
Can you effectively manage a country team and ensure the strategic development of a context relevant country programme and a strong partnership?
Iraq is transitioning towards recovery after having retaken the territory previously claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but life in many parts of the country remains severely dislocated because of protracted internal displacement crisis and continuing security concerns. Till date, more than 1.3 m people remain displaced. Another 4.2 million have returned to places of origin but many still face insecurity and insufficient access to basic services. For 2020, transitioning IDPs towards durable solutions remains one top priority for humanitarian actors, while others are to ensure access to livelihoods and promote social cohesion, also for returnees. But the ability for humanitarian actors to effectively operate is increasingly constricted, as political unrest, government gridlock, insecurity and the impact of COVID-19 makes the work of humanitarians more difficult than ever.

The Danish Red Cross (DRC) has been present in Iraq since 2013. The DRC approximately 20 million DKK programme in Iraq is funded mainly by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), while potential partnerships with ECHO, EU and private partners are being explored. The DRC programme focuses on areas where humanitarian needs are greatest, while an increasing focus is to also contribute to durable solutions and building communities’ ability to cope with, and transition from, the prolonged and protracted crisis. Key sectors are Primary Health Care, Livelihood, Psychosocial support and emergency relief. Building the technical capacity of the Iraq Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is pivotal in DRC work, particularly within the areas of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (PS) as well as Cash-Based Assistance.
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Responsibilities**
The Country Manager (CM) has overall responsibility for ensuring that the DRC-supported Country Programme and partnerships are implemented in line with the DRC International Strategy and Country Strategy, Danish Red Cross standard operating procedures (SOPs), and donor requirements and guidelines.
The Iraq Country Manager is based in Baghdad at the Headquarters of the IRCS, and is responsible for:

Strategic direction of DRC engagement in the country, management of the partnership with the IRCS, and support to its continuing capacity development in key technical areas
Overall country budget, management and development of DRC’s project portfolio in the country, including monitoring implementation and removing impediments
Leading and managing the DRC Country Team, based in Baghdad and Erbil, consisting of a PS Delegate, a CVA Delegate and a Country Finance Delegate
Exploring, identifying and strengthening interventions to contribute to durable solutions for affected populations
Supporting DRC communications and take the lead on fundraising for DRC’s future engagement in Iraq
Representing DRC and developing the relationships with the RCRC Movement partners, and other key stakeholders such as MFA and EU representatives.

The position requires strategic leadership, management, coordination, representation and the provision of programme management as well as technical assistance to DRC in-country delegates and the Host National Society. This will include formulation, operationalization, implementation, and overall supervision, monitoring and evaluation of various projects, initiatives and actions as well as further development of the partnership with IRCS and other partners.
Experience and qualifications
You have a minimum of 8 years of solid experience in development and/or humanitarian project management, with at least 5 years of relevant field experience in the implementation of emergency and recovery/development programmes.

Proven ability to live and work for long periods under severely restricted conditions within a conflict-affected environment
Experience with various donors like EU, ECHO and national ministries of foreign affairs, particularly of their grant application, proposal writing and reporting procedures, is also essential
Exposure to and interest in working with multiple partners and furthering partnership with private actors as relevant
Experience with programme management of emergency and livelihood programming
Good analytical skills and confirmation that you can handle stressful situations. You possess excellent communication, coordination as well as networking and facilitation skills
Cultural understanding and the ability to work in a challenging multicultural environment is essential
Project cycle and financial management experience as well as team/human resource management skills are essential
Proven experience in the capacity-building of local partners, ideally of Red Cross / Red Crescent National Societies and local branches, and in the Middle East, will be an advantage
Excellent English speaking and writing capability, and Arabic will be an advantage
Be self-supporting in computers and possess a valid international driving licence.

Employment Conditions
The ideal starting date is 16 November 2020 and the length of the contract is 24 months with the possibility of extension. The salary including all allowances and pension payment will be between DKK 48,000 and 51,500 per month, depending on qualifications and experience.

The duty station is Baghdad, Iraq. This is a non-family duty station with a paid 7-day Rest & Recuperation break permitted after every 8 weeks in-country. Travelling to programme areas within Iraq is possible to the extent that the security situation permits and under current circumstances this is possible about 10% of working days, but it is hoped that this will increase.
The Country Manager reports to the DRC Head of Region based at the MENA Office in Beirut and is accountable for ensuring that the DRC supported programme and partnerships in Iraq are implemented in compliance with DRC Standard Operational Procedures and donor regulations.

Further information
For more information on the position, please write to the Head of Region, Charlotte Kjoerup Head of Middle East & North Africa Region Mobile +961 79 300 435 (LEB) chkjo@rodekors.dk
See the job description and Terms & Conditions.
The deadline for applications is 11 October 2020.