Country Director - Iraq and Syria Response

Starting date: ASAP
Contract duration: 24 months with the possibility of extension
Country Programmes: Iraq and Syria Response
Base: Erbil, Iraq with travels within the region
Line Manager: Regional Director for the Middle East

About the role:

PIN has been providing emergency relief and early recovery support to conflict-affected communities in Iraq since 2003 and in Syria since the beginning of the humanitarian crisis in 2012.

Programmes for conflict-affected communities in both countries focus mainly on Emergency Food Assistance, WASH, Protection, Shelter, Education, Early Recovery and Livelihoods activities.

In Syria PIN’s contribution to the humanitarian response is amongst the largest, with an annual turnover of over $35 million, engaging more than 400 full-time staff members across Northern Syria and cross-border response hubs in neighboring countries.

In Iraq, PIN is in the process of reviewing and developing a new Country Programme strategy targeting several geographical areas and approaching existing and potential institutional donors to support new sectors with innovative initiatives, such as climate change and renewable energies, aimed at contributing to a more sustainable development of the community.

Based in Erbil, Kurdistan, the Country Director (CD) is the main representative of PIN’s Iraq and Syria Missions, responsible for strategic leadership and overall country programme development. The CD plays a key role in representing PIN with government officials, donors and non-governmental organizations. The CD directly supervises 8 core and senior management positions.

Duties and responsibilities:

General supervision of the mission:

• Represents PIN in Iraq and Syria with national authorities, donors, humanitarian coordination mechanisms, UN agencies, Alliance 2015 members, Consortiums’ Steering Committees and other INGOs
• Monitors and analyses the political, humanitarian and socio-economic context. Based on the analysis and in collaboration with the Field team and HQ, review the missions’ strategies, the identification of funding opportunities, and contribute to the design of initiatives and new projects;
• Sets strategic priorities for PIN’s Iraq and Syria missions, and supervises the Country Management Team (Programme Quality Director, Head of Systems and Operations, Head of Finance, Area Directors and Security Advisor) with the support from HQ (Regional Director, Desk Officer and Regional Head of Systems and Operations);
• Engages in humanitarian advocacy initiatives and policy dialogues and oversees internal and external communications
• Ensures efficient internal coordination at mission level and with HQ

Programs

• Ensures overall coordination, follow-up and quality of new projects for both Country Programmes (Iraq and Syria).
• Oversees and coordinates the production of quality and timely donor reports (narrative and financial)
• In coordination with the Area Directors, Desk Officer and Regional Director, oversees and provides guidance to the Programme Quality Director for Syria mission and the Programme Director for Iraq mission in designing and managing PIN’s programming, and ensuring that they are in line with PIN’s Relief and Development Department Strategy and Iraq & Syria Country Programme Strategies

Finance and Fundraising

• In coordination with the Area Directors, Programme Quality Director for Syria, Programme Director for Iraq, identify and actively pursue new funding opportunities and explore different funding approaches and strategies (bilateral funding, consortiums, private funding, etc).
• In coordination and with the support of the Head of Finance, oversees the mission economy.
• Supports the Head of Systems and Operations in audit reviews, and money transfer or bank transactions’ challenges.

Security management

• Monitors the Syria and Iraq’s contexts and maintain regular communication with the Area Directors, Security Advisor and concern HQ-based staff.
• Oversees the mission’s Safety and Security Management Plan (SSMP), evacuation and medical plans and ensures that the documents are kept up-to-date and well disseminated.
• Ensures that PIN is fully included in the existing security information and coordination mechanisms in Iraq and Syria, such as the UN (UNDSS) or INSO.
• Manages security incidents and crises, in coordination with the mission hubs and HQ

Human resources and support departments

• Supports HR and participates in the recruitment of international staff
• Ensures the full respect of PIN’s administrative, HR, financial and logistics procedures
• Supervises the implementation and periodic review of PIN’s international and national HR policies in collaboration with the Area Directors, Head of Systems and Operations, Regional HR Manager and the HQ-based concerned staff.
• Reviews and suggests changes in the HR structure according to the strategy, Country Programme/context needs, budget and potential funding.
• Identify, support and coordinate with the hubs and HQ capacity building activities to strengthen and develop the capacity of the team.

Main Requirements:

• At least 5 years of experience with a humanitarian and/or development organization in senior management positions.
• Strong leadership and staff management skills, with experience in managing (directly and remotely) large, diverse and multidisciplinary teams.
• Good understanding of the humanitarian environment (NGOs, NGO Forums, UN, main donors)
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English
• Proven experience in fundraising
• Strong security management skills and experience in challenging and volatile security environments
• Good organizational, planning, diplomatic and problem-solving skills
• Work experience, knowledge and understanding of the regional context, particularly Syria and Iraq, is a distinct advantage.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• This position is based in Erbil. Erbil accommodation is in a PIN Guesthouse with individual guestrooms and shared bathroom, living room and kitchen (alternatively, housing allowance can be requested for individual arrangements). All sites have internet;
• Security situation in Erbil is generally good with a potential for a good social life with restaurants, bars and gyms and a large expat community;
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and PIN's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

People in Need offers:

• Working environment in a well-established and growing humanitarian organization;
• Salary and benefits according to PIN’s salary scale and HR policies, expected salary expected salary 4,200 - 4,400 EUR, Possible increase after probation period (before taxation, per diems included);
• 25 days of paid leave annually;
• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work;
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure;
• Housing allowance for separate accommodation, alternativly accommodation in PIN’s guesthouse on PIN’s expenses;
• Free medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available online; travel health insurance.

How to Apply?

Are you interested in this position? Great! Send us your CV and short cover letter via this link. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).