Governance Coordinator

Job Description

BACKGROUND

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC has long-term programs based in Baghdad and Erbil, as well as emergency response programs supporting Syrian refugees. At work today in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

The IRC Iraq program was established in 2003 and is currently providing humanitarian assistance in the sectors of child protection, women’s protection and empowerment, protection and rule of law, cash, livelihood and governance. The IRC Iraq’s main office is based in Erbil, with field offices in Baghdad, Ninewa, Salah a-Din, Kirkuk and Anbar.

SCOPE OF WORK The IRC is seeking a skilled and dynamic Governance Coordinator that will provide overall leadership and oversight to the governance portfolio in Iraq under the supervision of the Deputy Director for Programs. The Coordinator will lead the implementation and development of the governance program and will benefit from the support of the IRC’s global Governance Technical Unit. The ideal candidate for this position should have strong knowledge and experience in governance, peacebuilding, social cohesion, as well as programs targeting community-driven development as well as civic engagement of citizens in the public sphere.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development, Management and Coordination:

· Business development: Lead and oversee proposals development within the Governance sector, including through designing and writing quality proposals, while supporting program development within other sectors and through partners by integrating governance approaches in proposals and projects where relevant.

· Technical Supervision: Lead and oversee the implementation of governance projects as well as all governance activities following implementation strategies, procedures, work plans and donor requirements in order to achieve project deliverables.

· Team Management and implementation: Manage and provide technical support to Governance program staff, including through regular field visits, and develop their capacity through adequate mentoring, performance management (setting of objectives, appraisals and development plans) and training as required.

· Financial and compliance management: Assist in the development of annual program budgets and spending plans; be ultimately responsible for the program’s budget management; ensure implementation of governance activities are in line with approved budgets and spending plans; work with the Grants Unit to ensure all program activities are implemented in compliance with IRC and donor requirements.

· Representation: Represent IRC Iraq in external governance related forums; actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Iraq including government actors, donors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs; identify governance related advocacy issues in consultation with the country management.

· Coordination: Coordinate with other program (e.g. ERD, PRoL, WPE) to strengthen joint planning and implementation of projects, ensure integration across sectors, and enhance program implementation”

· Coordinate with the Feedback and accountability (FARM) team to strengthen quality of implementation and eventually client feedback and responsiveness.

Technical Leadership and Support:

· Support in the design of the IRC S100 strategy for the governance program and take active part in the strategy development and reporting.

· Support the various IRC Iraq programs in conducting context and conflict analysis to identify promising entry points and better inform program design and implementation.

· Provide technical leadership and oversee the design and implementation of governance, social cohesion, peacebuilding and community driven development projects.

· Contribute to development of knowledge and capacity in the country office around decentralization, social accountability, institution strengthening and other related governance themes and support the integration of those themes into other sectoral programs.

· Liaise regularly with technical advisors from the Governance Unit on proposal development, programming and implementation approaches.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs

Position directly supervises: 6 Social Cohesion officers

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: HQ Technical Advisors, other IRC programs and support departments.

External: all relevant donors, NGOS, DPOs, partners, ministries, stakeholders, and government agencies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· University Degree in Development, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law or Social Science. Masters Degree preferred.

· Minimum 5 years of experience in developing, managing and coordinating governance, social cohesion, peace building, community driven development and stakeholders/civic engagement programs in conflict, post-conflict or development settings.

· Previous experience and capacity to conduct Political Economy and Conflict Analysis

· Strong program management skills, including assessment, planning, budgeting and monitoring skills.

· Previous demonstrate experience working with local partners

· Demonstrated strong proposal and report writing skills.

· Ability to work in a very demanding and fast paced environment managing conflicting priorities and deadlines.

· Good organizational, interpersonal, time and people management skills.

· Strong communication, presentation and training skills.

· Must be comfortable working in a complex, fluid and very demanding management environment.

· Ability to travel frequently to project sites for monitoring visits.

· Fluency in written and spoken English, Arabic is an asset.

Note: List of responsibilities, professional and personal skills are considered indicative and not exhaustive; actual duties may differ or change depending on office and agency priorities at the time.

Working Environment, Security and Travel****: This position is based in Erbil Iraq with frequent travel to IRC field offices. For International staff, IRC provides housing allowance. Movement is flexible but may be restricted at times due to the security situation.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are an Iraqi national, are currently located outside of your home country and possess at least three years of international work experience, the Syria Response Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Qualifications