Country director

Job Profile

Country Director – Iraq (Erbil)

Position: Country Director

Country: Iraq / Kurdistan region of Iraq

Duration: 12 months – possibly renewable

Location: Position currently based in Erbil with field visits to Mosul office and sub-offices through KR-I and GoI

as security conditions allow

Place in the org. Chart: Under the direct responsibility of the HQ-based Desk Manager

Starting date: September 2022 (minimum 1 month is necessary to complete the visa procedures)

Conditions:

• Executive status (depending on eligibility for access under French regulations)
• monthly gross salary from €3,300 to €4.000 according to experience in the similar position
• monthly contextual allowance €150
• monthly per diem 650 USD
• medical coverage of 100% + repatriation insurance
• accommodation, international and local transportation as part of the mission
• break every 3 months. Non-family duty station

More information on www.trianglegh.org under “Participate”.

Presentation of TGH

“Actor in a sustainable and shared solidarity”

Founded in 1994, TGH is a French international solidarity organization based in Lyon. The association designs and implements emergency, rehabilitation and development programs in the following sectors: water, hygiene and sanitation, civil engineering, food security and rural development, education and psychosocial. TGH is currently operating in 10 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Context

The defeat of ISIS’s strongholds left ground for reconstruction and IDPs’ slow and unplanned return to their home villages and cities. However, in places such as West Mosul and other large areas that underwent severe destruction and where services are lacking, returns and reconstruction face structural limits (lack of livelihoods and public services, destroyed or damaged housing, lack of social cohesion).

The ethno-religious factors at the origin of recurrent conflicts for years play a key role in the political system.Strong tensions between military and political actors exacerbated and attacks targeting US missions in Iraq are frequent. Since November 2021, Iraq has been trying in vain to have a government (president and prime minister). This situation is a source of instability and above all encourages unregulated initiatives (abuse of power, corruption, administrative laziness, etc.) which exasperate social tensions.

As per OCHA, there are “approximately 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 4.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Insecurity, lack of livelihoods, and destroyed or damaged housing hamper people’s ability to return home”. In this post-conflict transitional period, humanitarian agencies are moving away from an emergency mode of response towards longer-term recovery strategies and durable solutions. TGH, like other humanitarian actors, will have to transition to a new mode of operating in order to stay relevant while continuing to support the needs of the most vulnerable.

Presentation of the mission

TGH used to be active in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and in Baghdad between 1995 and 2006. In 2013, TGH came back to Iraq to respond to the needs of new Syrian refugees.

Currently, TGH provides a comprehensive set of child protection activities: social accompaniment, psychosocial support for vulnerable children and their families, parenting sessions, etc. At the same time, TGH is committed to building the capacity of local actors involved in child protection (training/coaching of social workers, training of trainers, etc.), in line with the strategy of localization of aid and sustainability of action

In addition, TGH implements programs to strengthen the Food Security and Livelihoods of populations affected by the destruction of fields and production factors in agricultural areas, as well as by the measures taken in response to the Covid-19 crisis. TGH contributes to the rehabilitation of infrastructure necessary for local agricultural activities, access to production factors and inputs, and the improvement of the health and growth of livestock. These actions are part of a dynamic of reconstruction and revival of agricultural economic activity, in order to support the return of the population, their autonomy and the stabilization of the impacted areas.

TGH’s coordination office is in office in Erbil and sub-offices in Mosul, Sinjar, Sulaymaniyah and Tikrit.

Ongoing interventions

• TGH is implementing a 3-year (2019-2022) food security and livelihood project in consortium with two partners in Hamdaniyah district. This project is currently working with farmers, exploring value chains, supporting animal health programs and microfinance (through implementing partner). The second phase of this project has started in March 2022 and will continue for 34 additional months.
• In the Kurdistan Region, TGH has providing institutional support and capacity-building to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the three Directorates of Social Affairs of Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah governorates since 2017. In 2019, this project expanded to Ninewa and is currently still ongoing.
• In Ninewa and Sulaymaniyah, TGH is implementing child protection (CP) and legal services to conflict affected communities, while strengthening community base mechanisms of risks prevention and response in collaboration with two local NGOs.
• Since 2019, TGH has been working in Sinjar to support agricultural recovery. Our current project aims at improving the livelihoods of vulnerable rural and peri-urban families by strengthening food security and boosting agricultural income generating activities.

A note about TGH project management: While restrictions related to Covid-19 pandemic are slowly reducing, no COVID restrictions are present in Iraq. Immigration requiers vaccination card and or COVID test if not vaccinated.

Humanitarian aid is gradually giving way to development aid. The changes initiated in 2021 will be effective from January 2023 (disengagement of the UN from the clusters) which will involve adapting the mission’s operating methods and in particular rigorous communication with local partners (administration, ministries, local representatives, etc) and communities.

Job description

Under direct supervision of the HQ-based Desk Manager, the Country director has overall responsibility for TGH’s operations in Iraq including KR-I and Federal Iraq (GoI). S/he supervises about 5 expatriates and 90 national employees.

The main responsibilities include:

General coordination of the mission

• Represent TGH in Iraq and act as legal representative in the country of the overall TGH organization internally and externally, and promotes a high reputation and positive image of TGH
• Develop external influence of TGH (forums, operational & strategic alliances, etc.) and the external representation of the organization (events, media) in the geographical scope. Particular focus on Iraq’s transition from humanitarian to development nexus
• Enhance partnerships with public authorities (line ministries, directorates) by promoting TGH’s vision of sustainability and capacity building
• Set up a team spirit and team functioning guaranteeing synergies and exchange of good practices between the different actors in the Programme and with head office colleagues
• Lead TGH’s full mandate and country Strategy, with operational partners, institutions and/or donors, and steers organisational transformation through the development and implementation of the Programme’s Operational Strategy
• Ensure compliance with the budget framework, policies and frameworks (safeguarding, commitment thresholds, security, human resources, risk management, etc.)
• Ensure accountability mechanisms are in place, and are being managed well. This includes responsibility for managing any and all reports of corruption, behaviour not in line with the code of conduct and the policy of prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. S/He is responsible for the implementation of all internal TGH policies
• Actively monitor and analyse context developments, in order to identify risks and opportunities. Including the political, humanitarian and socio-economic context
• Ensure an appropriate level of visibility of the organisation with the national and local authorities, as well as with donor representatives in the country
• Support the field coordinator in the supervision and implementation of activities within Ninewa governorate

Programs

• Ensure overall coordination, follow-up and quality of the ongoing projects
• Support the Program Coordinator and Managers in the implementation and follow-up of the activities as necessary
• Coordinate the production of quality and timely donor reports (narrative and financial)
• Maintain existing / establish new partnerships with National NGOs
• Ensures that communication on ongoing projects is properly done with the authorities and any other relevant stakeholders and the communities

Fundraising

• Supervise and pursue fundraising efforts with the coordination team in country and the desk at HQ
• Initiate, supervise and coordinate (and conduct if needed) assessments and exploratory missions

Security management

• Ensures that each expatriate or national staff has had a safety briefing and that everyone knows, understands and respects the safety rules
• Ensure compliance with institutional safety & security policy and the application of normative frameworks and standard operating procedures (context classification chart, Security plans, etc.)
• Monitor the security context and maintain regular communication with HQ
• Oversee the regular updating of the mission’s security, evacuation and medical plans
• If required, conduct security assessment on the field in collaboration with the Logistics Department and the Field Coordinator
• Ensure in particular that internal guidelines on field trips are regularly reviewed, adapted to the context and strictly enforced
• Ensure that TGH is fully included in the existing security information and coordination mechanisms, such as the UN, INSO and the French Embassy
• Manage security incidents and crises, in coordination with HQ

Human resources and support departments

• In coordination with the HQ-based Desk Manager, define the setup of the team
• Ensure performance management for staff under direct supervision according to the internal guidelines
• Provide active support to the Administrative Coordinator and the Logistics Coordinator as necessary

This list of responsibilities could be modified according to the needs.

Security, working and living conditions

Despite the unstable political context in Iraq and KRI, the KRI region is generally safe and current TGH areas of operation in Federal Iraq are considered safe.

Erbil city is safe, and there are no restrictions of movement within the city. Much entertainment is available such as restaurants, sport centres, parks, supermarkets, cinema etc. Trips to the countryside are possible at weekends with prior validation by Country Director. Security rules may be revised according to the evolution of the context.

Working and living conditions in Erbil are good. Communication means are satisfying (efficient internet, international phones). The office is separated from the guesthouses. Individual rooms are available for each expatriate.

Profile

• At least 3 years of experience with a humanitarian NGO including at least 2 years in a coordination position.
• Strong experience in project management
• Experience of Arabic or Muslim countries is a distinct advantage
• Good knowledge of the humanitarian environment (NGOs, UN, main donors)
• Good communication and writing skills in English, French and Arabic are an asset
• Proven experience in networking, fundraising and writing project proposals
• Strong leadership and staff management skills, with experience in managing diverse and multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of leading efficient and transparent financial management processes
• Good security management skills, experience in challenging security environments
• Good knowledge of accounting / financial management / logistics in a NGO context
• Good organizational and planning skills, analytical skills
• Ability to anticipate and make decisions
• Sense of discipline and organization, good sense of synthesis
• Good organizational, planning, diplomatic, and problem-solving skills, effective decision-maker
• Intercultural: calm, self-control, respect for cultural differences and a very good ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Cultural sensitivity, diplomatic, positive and constructive approach
• Ability to speak and communicate to different audiences: donors, partners, cluster, staff and beneficiaries.
• Excellent know-how: diplomatic, calm, self-control, multi-cultural environment.
• Dynamic, autonomous and pragmatic
• Ability to live and work in a volatile security environment

Application

Applicants are invited to send a resume + a cover letter on our HR Webpage https://trianglegh.org/ActionHumanitaire/FR/RH/RessourcesHumaines.html, at the latest by July 31.2022.