Country Director – Iraq (International)

About the organisation

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect by Armed Groups and de Facto Authorities (AGDA) for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, in particular those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call focuses its efforts on banning the use of anti-personnel mines, protecting children from the effects of armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict, working towards the elimination of gender discrimination, protection of civilian infrastructure and humanitarian access.

Geneva Call has had a presence in Iraq for six years. Geneva Call engages AGDA, authorities and communities across the country to promote the protection of civilians, building on years of successful partnership building. Thematic focuses have included child protection, IDP returns, GBV, prohibition of anti-personnel mines, and climate and conflict. Geneva Call has offices in Baghdad and Erbil.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

To provide vision and strategic direction to the country program in Iraq. This includes the qualitative implementation of Geneva Call’s humanitarian response (humanitarian dialogue, research, community-based approach), advocacy, fundraising and representation.

Main activities

Strategy and program implementation:

– Leads on development of country strategy;

– Analysis the humanitarian and security situation in country and identify areas of interests of work for Geneva Call;

– Ensure fulfilment of Geneva Call’s core mission of promotion of IHL with AGDA;

– Provide leadership, quality delivery, management, monitoring, evaluation and learning of the country program, against Geneva Call’s tri annual strategy;

– Manages, supervises and coordinates all the activities related to the implementation of Geneva Call`s projects in Iraq according to the proposal guidelines and indicators, budget and work plans;

– Ensures that programs are monitored and evaluated. Promotes sharing of learning with others and drawing on learning from across Geneva Call and externally, utilizes the results to inform program decisions and enhance institutional knowledge.

Safety management

– Overall responsible for security;

– Ensure the development of updated context analysis and risks analysis based on reliable networks;

– Responsible for anticipating and managing risks that could threaten the safety of the staff, operational viability and the organization’s reputation. Responsible for managing security in line with Geneva Call’s Policy.

Mission Management & Coordination

– Overall responsible for all resources and implementation of programs and activities within Iraq;

– Builds partnerships and represents GC;

– Manages staff, budget, assets and funding as per procedures and national requirements;

– Ensures transparent and timely financial management respecting deadline and procedures;

– Ensures the mobilization of necessary resources (financial, logistics, HR) to implement the country programs and contribute to the growth of the missions;

– Identify human resources needs, recruit, and ensure induction;

– Overall development and supervision of country teams (including coaching and evaluating) in accordance with internal policies and procedures and national labour laws;

– Promotes and creates a culture to ensure knowledge sharing, innovation and capacity building and further professional development opportunities for all staff in appropriate fields;

– Communicate regularly with staff and promote positive conflict resolution;

– Ensures that information is properly circulated between Headquarters and the field and ensures that due dates are respected.

Fundraising

– Ensures that Geneva Call’s work in Iraq is adequately funded and implemented;

– Initiates and leads the development of new project proposals;

– Build relationships with external donors and proactively identify new donors;

– Develop and implement a country fundraising strategy that contributes to achieving the overall aim of Geneva Call in the field of humanitarian engagement for enhanced civilian protection;

– Approves all technical and financial proposals before submission to donors and ensures they are contextual and address specific needs;

Communications and advocacy

– Represents Geneva Call in Iraq;

– Ensures that all formalities required by government and other official agencies are properly prepared and punctually presented;

– Actively participates in meetings and fora organised by the GO/NGO/UN, sectors as relevant to Geneva Call work in Iraq with focus on the humanitarian particularly the protection cluster;

– Liaises strategically with Government representatives as well as with potential in-country donors.

Main qualifications

Strong organizational and analytical skills; Solid diplomatic skills with ability to communicate with high level interlocutors; Established network in country of operation; Passionate about political and security affairs in the region; Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts; Experience with fundraising and project cycle management; Excellent English skills (written and oral); Outstanding interpersonal skills; Experience of negotiations with weapon-bearers and other high-level stakeholders. Ability to work under pressure, travel frequently in conflict-affected areas and to handle numerous tasks simultaneously

Minimum 5 years equivalent work experience in a humanitarian organization, including in managing teams of at least 20 people; Experience of capacity building and mentoring, team leadership and management; Demonstrated skills and experience in security management.

Languages

– Excellent English required

– Arabic is strongly preferred

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process. The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the Geneva Call Performance Management guidelines. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• Job Description
• Action plan
• Performance Review Template

Conditions

Position : Country Director

Type of Contract: Fixed term contract

Activity rate: 100%

Work place: Iraq

Preferred start date: June 2023