Country Director

SWEDO, a Swedish Development aid organization based in Stockholm, is looking for a new Country Director (CD) in Iraq. The position located in Erbil and is a full-time position starting as soon as possible. The timeframe of the contract is until 31 December 2023 with possible extension. The CD reports directly to the Acting Secretary General.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for overall SWEDO’s operations, managed from the Country Management Office in Erbil (CMO), This includes budget and human resources.
• Overall responsibility for the operational and strategic planning and development of the programs in close cooperation with the Secretary General. Enforce SWEDO’s policies and strategies.
• Develop and promote SWEDO’s role within the civil society’s organizations.
• Promote gender equality and non-discrimination policies with regards to ethnic, political and religious background in the organization and its programs.
• Ensure regular and on time projects reporting, activities, strategic plans, annual work plans & budgets are shared with the Secretary General.
• Ensure that the organization will built on the current strategic development and organizational structure, procedures and capacities that have reached.
• Establish and strengthen the relationship with relevant stakeholders such as authorities, institutional donors and civil society actors are important aspects of the position.
• Promote a positive learning environment to enhance the quality of program design and deliver.
• Supervise project proposals, making sure that they aligned with donor’s requirement.
• Have a primary responsibility for overall management of safety and security for the country program
• Maintain SWEDO as a partner of choice for major International donors.
• Develop and maintain a high level of understanding of donors’ priorities, country plans and planned funding initiatives.
• Maintain and expand active representation with key donors, host government officials, local stakeholders and relevant policy and coordinating bodies.

Qualifications

• At least, a university degree in Development studies, Management, Political Science or a relevant field.
• Experience of at least 5 years in the international development program management in the complex contexts.
• Relevant work experience at senior leadership management positions within international development and Development context.
• Experience in budgeting and budget planning.
• Experience and good understanding of the role of civil society organizations in development processes in the conflict and/or post­ conflict countries.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English. Arabic and/or Kurdish are strong merit as well as Swedish.
• Knowledge and background on the history of Development work in Iraq or Middle East.

Skills

• Strong commitment to Development aid and human rights.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to prioritize and delegate when necessary.
• Able to genuinely bring in development, innovative ideas and deliver results.
• Being a team-builder and able to make decisions, work and handle situations in a stressed environment.
• Honest, open-minded, flexible, proactive, tolerant and patient.