Deputy Director- Iraq

Organisation Background

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international NGO that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations, and training.

INSO provides daily support to more than 1000 NGOs operating in 16 of the world’s most insecure countries.

INSO is registered in the Netherlands with its headquarters based in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.

INSO Iraq

The INSO Iraq platform launched in 2014. We serve Iraq from our Country Office in Erbil and a field office in Baghdad. INSO Iraq currently supports more than 200 national and international NGO partners.

Job Summary

We are now seeking a qualified and experienced analyst and manager to serve as our Deputy Director. This position is based in Erbil with travel to the field.

You will oversee all aspects of service delivery and plays a key role in ensuring that INSO provides the best support possible to NGOs responding to the crisis in Iraq. Specific responsibilities include the recruitment, training, and management of a team of senior analysts (Safety Advisors), editorial review of key INSO products, monitoring, and continual improvement of service delivery standards and support to the Country Director in the broader development of the program.

You will have a strong background in NGO safety and security, be outgoing, inquisitive and detail oriented, and have significant experience building and leading high performing teams. You should have the ability to analyse complex security issues and contexts, communicate to an excellent standard of English both verbally and in writing, and above all else share INSO’s commitment to humanitarian principles.

Major Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Management

• Direct management of INSO Safety Advisors (x4), including recruitment, training, orientation, and on-the-job mentoring.
• Managing the program during the Country Director’s absence.

Service Delivery

• Editorial responsibility for bi-monthly analytical report.
• Supervision and quality assurance of INSO service delivery, including: 24/7 flash reporting, safety and access roundtable meetings, analytical reports, crisis management support and other demand-based services.
• Representation and liaison towards third parties, including NGOs, the UN and international donors.

Program Development

• Support program development and implementation
• Develop and implement internal security management policy, SOPs and guidelines.
• Support the application of INSO global policy in areas including HR, finance and operations.

Mandatory Requirements

• Exemplary command of English (written and spoken).
• Graduate level education or equivalent work experience.
• Significant experience in insecure/conflict-affected environments with progressive seniority.
• Proven writing, editing, and analytical skills and a keen eye for detail – the position entails substantial report editing and reviewing.
• Acceptance and strong understanding of humanitarian principles.
• Demonstrable understanding of humanitarian safety practices and their application.
• Mature leadership and staff management experience in a diverse multi-cultural setting.
• Excellent networking, diplomatic, and representative communication skills.

Preferred Characteristics

• A year’s experience working in Iraq with demonstrable understanding of the context.
• Experience in staff capacity development and training.
• Experience with NGO project management, including donor reporting and relations.
• First-hand experience of crisis management.
• Existing information networks and/or local language skills.
• Detailed understanding of INSO mandate & services.

Key Personal Competencies

• Good listener
• Effective communicator
• Excellent analyst
• Team player
• Excellent interpersonal skills

INSO’s Safeguarding Policy

INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers and we will ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy throughout the recruitment process.

Terms & Conditions: 12-month contract, €5,000 per month salary, 4 calendar days annual leave per month and 3 days of R&R every 3 months with €750 R&R allowance each cycle, global medical coverage (excluding USA) and USD $200,000 AD&D insurance.