Civil Society Capacity Development Technical Specialist and Coordinator

Organizational Background:

Heartland Alliance International (HAI) is the international wing of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, a family of organizations that has been leading anti-poverty and social justice work in Chicago for more than 125 years. HAI is comprised of numerous country offices implementing programs on a broad range of human rights issues globally, as well as the Chicago-based Marjorie Kovler Center for survivors of torture. HAI’s technical areas of expertise include mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), gender equity, access to justice, and stigma-free health care. Across all programs, HAI promotes progressive, innovative approaches to human rights protections, and gender equity.

Overview:

HAI Iraq seeks a Civil Society Capacity Development Technical Specialist and Coordinator for an anticipated multiyear USAID/Iraq Civil Society Activity that seeks to increase citizen engagement in the public sphere, especially among women and youth, while supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) to connect to and empower citizens and other CSOs. The Activity will also provide tailored capacity building to cover any skill gaps that civil society may need – preferably through networks of CSOs in Iraq and/or the region acting as “incubators” for this skills building. This Specialist will be responsible for the management of all aspects of capacity development, including, but not limited to, technical, administrative, operational, and logistical management.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Provide oversight of technical direction and assistance in support of improved public outreach and information, coalition building, and improved organizational management capacity.
• Support development of financial capacity and any technical trainers engaged in areas of capacity development.
• Promote civil society capacity development, change management, improved service delivery, and the effectiveness and sustainability of local organizations and institutions.
• Facilitate needs assessments, identify priorities, and support the development of capacity improvement plans that increase civil society readiness.
• Coordinate, ensure, track, and monitor targeted technical support in alignment with capacity improvement plans, including identifying training opportunities and technical experts, resources and activities that support the delivery of high-quality capacity building services.
• Build systematic capacity of local CSOs that focus on monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), strategy development, fundraising, strategic communications, advocacy, and organizational resilience-building capacities.
• Coordinate and execute a demand-driven small grants program to enable local sustainability, and shift more leadership, ownership, decision-making, and implementation to local groups.
• Integrate a gender equality, women’s empowerment, and protection of women and girls in the capacity building approach.
• Build the skills necessary of local CSOs to lead advocacy campaigns for change and network with one another.

Qualifications

Authorization to work in Iraq, with strong preference for Iraqi nationals. University degree in management, public administration, finance, or related field. At least 8 years of demonstrated experience and expertise in civil society strengthening, including capacity development; community mobilization; and civil society-related training and facilitation. Work with grassroots communities and advocacy movements is a plus. Demonstrated history of professional experience with large-scale, US Government funded programming. Previous experience with USAID strongly preferred. Previous work experience with civil society in Iraq is required. Candidates must also have a high level of interpersonal and communication skills. English and Arabic language proficiency are both required. Knowledge of the Middle East Region is required