Aid Gate Organization (AGO) is an independent, nonpartisan, national organization in Iraq whose history goes back to 2014 with the beginning of ISIL’s occupation in Iraq. At that time and throughout the mass conflicts occurring from 2014 onwards, ISIL groups took control of large swathes of the country, including Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Anbar, and parts of Diyala. This period witnessed an unprecedented wave of displacement for people who lived in these areas in addition to extreme human rights violations. With the Iraqi government, unable to provide much-needed, widespread assistance, many international organizations entered the country to facilitate a response. In doing so, local community members were actively recruited to assist in the movement and return of displaced peoples, while providing them with emergency life-saving assistance to meet their basic needs. Since 2014, AGO has been working untiringly to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities for the implementation of whole-of-community resilience-building measures in Iraq. Today AGO is functional in Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, and the Nineveh governorates, with 50–150 employees, depending on the situation in the region. We are currently working on expanding our operations into the Anbar governorate as well as southern Iraq through proven programs to rebuild the lives of men, women, children, and refugees IDPs, minorities, ethnic groups and persons with disabilities. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

AGO seeks or a Youth Empowerment Officer, She/he will be in charge of conducting the trainings and stand for the Youth Development activities and conduct and plan for trainings, in addition will support all field level operations and supervise incentive workers, documentation…etc.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in the design, supervision and implementation of activities, in accordance with multiple objectives, activities and targets outlined within current donor proposals and in line with projects’ budget.
• Lead selection and registration of beneficiaries, according to set vulnerability criteria.
• Participation, civic engagement, empowerment and skills building.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Youth Led Innovation /Social Innovation initiative.
• Provide inputs, facilitation and monitoring of the implementation of creative communication initiatives, child rights monitoring and advocacy activities conducted by Youth and staff.
• Support the ongoing implementation of engaging young people.
• Support outreach and engagement with the private sector on youth empowerment and skills building, specifically skills for employability.
• Community Events and Promotion of Youth Engagement:
• Ensure that Selection and registration of beneficiaries to the life skills trainings;
• Ensure the organization and facilitation of training sessions
• Ensure the quality of the training sessions by receiving timely, relevant and constructive feedback from youth on the quality of the trainings and identify solutions when needed;
• Ensure the proper documentation of trainings and peer to peer sessions (pre- / post-test, attendance sheet, evaluation, reports);
• Mobilize and work closely with youth, parents, key community member and stakeholders to support the project’s activities;
• Support the project team in updating the mapping of actors (stakeholders, local organizations, and youth centers) implementing youth development programs in the area of the project activities;
• Organization of Youth Development trainings such as employability, entrepreneurship, and digital skills trainings and other workshops;
• Ensure strong working relationships with youth center to facilitate effective collaboration and communication;
• Participate in internal meetings and team workshops regarding the activities of the project, upon request by supervisors;
• Ensure that all files are well-organized and secured and that all files are sent on time to the Project Manager;
• If needed translate resources and communication documents from Arabic/Kurdish to English and vice-versa
• Firm adherence to the AGO Code of Conduct;
• Obey to AGO policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines;
• Ensure proper filing of documents;
• Make decisions on the ground with limited or remote supervision;
• Prepare and develop status reports as required by management;
• Promote and share ideas for technical improvement;
• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities in one or more project locations.
• Prepare and develop weekly update reports.
• Ensure that projects targets beneficiaries most in need
• Conduct other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Reporting and communication:

• Support the timely preparation of high-quality donor reports, quarterly performance indicator tracking tables, baseline and final evaluation reports, as well as other reports as needed
• Respond to all requests for information or external solicitations related to the project.
• Prepare and submit, bi-weekly, and monthly reports to her/his supervisor.
• Deliver and share the achievements in proper methods to her/his colleagues and supervisor.

Networking / Coordination:

• Maintain good relations with all stakeholders
• Share regular report to the supervisor and relevant team members
• Collaborate closely with other team members and partners in the implementation of all activities.
• Participate in clusters and event that will be organized with the same or relevant field of the post holder.

COMPETENCIES

• Experience working in a humanitarian/recovery context(youth empowerment and engagement);
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts; ability to remain calm and professional intense situations;
• Documented results related to previous responsibilities;
• Proven ability to multi-task and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work diligently both independently and in a team setting

• Experience in Livelihood, Peacebuilding, PVE, and social cohesion projects is highly desirable.
• Fluency in Arabic and Kurdish are essential. Spoken and written English is desirable.
• Able to work in unstable, uncertain, or potentially dangerous environments, independently and in a team.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different cultural backgrounds.
• Computer knowledge of MS Office Word and Excel.

AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC “PROFESSIONAL”  COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of the youth support.
• Understanding of the circumstances needs and challenges refugee/IDP.
• Understanding of the role of livelihoods in meeting the needs of IDP/refugee populations;
• Experience in community mobilization and/or relationship building;

• Able to work in unstable, uncertain or potentially dangerous environments, independently and in a team.
• Strong cross-cultural communication and resilience skills are very important
• Good communication skill
• Good in working as teamwork
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different cultural backgrounds

Interested applicants must send their most recent: 

1. CV
2. Cover Letter 

To [email protected] , Subject line must read: Youth Empowerment Officer | Akre

Note:

• Applications not meeting the specified minimum requirements may not be considered
• The CVs received after the closing date may not be considered.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview that may include a written test of communication and writing skills.

Due to the nature of AGO work activities, AGO demand its employee to have the highest discretion and flexibility qualities. AGO can anytime according to the needs of his mission, and change the work location of his employee. AGO can at any time update tasks on this Job Description according to the evolution of the program or strategy changes. The above-listed tasks are not exhaustive, the employee can be asked to undertake other tasks by the employer according to the competencies, to work over settings time.

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline.