Head of Programme (Erbil, Iraq)

NRC is looking for a Head of Programme to join the Iraq mission. The role holder will support the Country Director in developing and managing the impact-oriented country programme. You will liaise with the external stakeholders in Iraq, including representatives from the line Ministries, Governorate entities and multiple donors.

If you are an influential people leader; with diplomatic negotiation skills; strong coordination, networking, and stakeholder management skills; and have a track record in programmes, then this is the role for you!

What You Will Do

• Lead and guide the development and adaptation of the Programme (Core Competencies) strategies
• Ensure the quality implementation of the Programme strategy and report on progresses
• Manage performance, support, and develop the Programme Unit
• Ensure that appropriate support is extended to the Area Office programme teams (including rotational work trips to all Area Offices regularly)
• Support the Country Director in developing and implementing the fundraising strategy (including periodic analysis of donor trends and alignment of country fundraising plans)
• Represent NRC in relevant coordination fora and with donors.
• Lead the development of quality proposals, reporting, and other documents for donors’ engagement.
• Support the management of the Iraq grants portfolio inclusive of humanitarian, nexus, and longer-term recovery grants.
• Facilitate organisational learning throughout the programme cycle.
• Collaborate with the Advocacy Manager to ensure a continuous exchange of information and a full understanding of programme priorities.
• Foster strategic partnerships with national and local stakeholders.
• Facilitate exchanges with other NRC Country Offices in the region to build programme synergies.

What You Will Bring

• Minimum 4 years experience in a senior management position in a humanitarian/ recovery context
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Core competency expertise
• Knowledge of cash-based interventions and market-based programmes.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal
• Valid driver’s license

What Makes This Position Attractive?

• The humanitarian crisis in Iraq remains one of the largest and most volatile in the world. Four years since the end of the active armed conflict, displacement in Iraq remains complex with protracted and secondary displacement.
• This is an opportunity to contribute to the protection and assistance of internally displaced Iraqis, Syrian refugees, returnees, and host communities, focusing on those in protracted displacement in camps, informal settlements, and areas of return, with a particular emphasis on hard-to-reach populations.
• Meaningful work that responds to the diverse needs, priorities, and concerns raised by beneficiary communities. We are continuing to shift towards early recovery programming, aiming for sustainable development, and providing integrated and localised services to assist the displacement-affected populations while maintaining our capacity to respond to immediate humanitarian needs.
• NRC is currently supported by multiple institutional, bilateral, and multilateral donors. These include the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the KfW Development Bank (KfW), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), European Union Regional Trust Fund (EUTF), International Trade Centre (ITC), United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), Department for International Development (DFID), Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), U.S. State Department Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) etc
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture which empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.

What We Offer

• Erbil, Iraq duty station.
• 24-month contract duration renewable subject to performance and funding
• 30% travel, approximately within the country and region
• Grade 11 in NRC’s Salary Scale. NRC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Key Information – Please Take Note When Applying

• We highly encourage you to learn more about the role: please review the full Job Description here.
• Learn more about NRC’s operation in Iraq here.
• To apply as an internal candidate, click on the suitcase icon “I am an employee” on the top right of the page to be redirected to NRC’s internal career site.
• Apply by completing all the system-required fields of your employment history, experience, responsibilities, and education in your application.
• Ensure to attach your latest CV.
• Submit your application and CV in English.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as per your passport.
• Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. NRC is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.
• Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to give detailed feedback to applicants who have not been shortlisted.
• For any queries, please email us at [email protected] “Head of Programme-Iraq” as the subject line.