Iraq: Project Manager

INTERSOS is an independent non-profit humanitarian organization committed to assist the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable and unprotected people.

1. Terms of reference

Job title: Project Manager

Location: Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) with regular visits to Dohuk and possibly to the project locations in Ninewa Governorate.

Reporting to: Head of Mission

Starting date: June 2016

Duration of contract: 7 months

Dependents: No

2. General context of the mission

Nearly one-third of the population of Iraq, 10 million people, needs help; around 3 million civilians have fled their homes and 3 million more are living in ISIL controlled areas. Parties to the conflict are regularly violating human rights and international humanitarian law, since indiscriminate bombing, killing, abduction, rape, looting and expulsion are common in hard-hit areas, and sectarian violence is threatening to tear communities apart. Despite the countless efforts of the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), local institutional actors and humanitarian partners to provide aid and coordinate assistance, the situation is worsening at a rapid pace.

Children and women are particularly affected by the conflict: there are alarming levels of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and grave violations of children’s rights, as well as an increasing number of civilian casualties and fatalities. Verified severe violations of children’s rights have increased by 99%. Children are often the deliberate target of conflict-related violence. GBV, in particular sexual violence, is a prevalent aspect of the conflict and displacement across Iraq. Sectarian divisions are deepening, undermining any future peaceful coexistence among different groups.

More than 2,800,000 individuals are in need of some kind of assistance in Ninewa Governorate, which territory is largely under ISIL control. The Governorate currently hosts 222,888 IDPs. Most of the IDPs are concentrated in the Northern Districts: Telafar, Tilkaif, Shikhan and Akre. Particular is the situation in Sinjar District where, even if the number of IDPs is relatively small, the needs are great especially in terms of protection monitoring and sharing of information. These areas are currently concerned by prolonged displacement and voluntary return movements. Furthermore, with the intensification of the military operations around Mosul, it is expected that a high number of newly displaced and/or newly accessible people will be imminently in need of critical assistance. According to the recent contingency plan, depending on the intensity of fighting and the scale of violence in the months ahead, an additional 1 million civilians will be impacted by the battle for Mosul and around 600,000 people will flee towards the Northern Districts of Ninewa Governorate.

Specifically, the project designed by INTERSOS in partnership with Sewan for Women Empowerment Organization – a Local NGO - aims at enhancing the first-line and second-line overall protection response capacity, increasing the knowledge and understanding of critical protection needs, as well as mitigating the impact and effects of conflict among displaced people - including newly displaced and/or newly accessible people, returnees and receiving community members across the Northern Districts of Ninewa Governorate, through the deployment of specialized mobile teams for increased identification and service delivery.

3. Tasks and responsibilities

The Project Manager is in charge of the coordination and supervision of the project activities, ensuring timely and quality implementation and monitoring in compliance with relevant Standard Operating Procedures, International Principles and Guidelines, Sphere Standards, INTERSOS Fundamental Charter and Code of Ethics. Moreover, the Project Manager is in charge of supporting the Head of Mission and Protection Coordinator in the development, implementation and evaluation of the mission strategy and programme, with special focus on the emergency response in Ninewa Governorate.

Specifically the Project Manager is responsible to:

· Plan, monitor and evaluate the project activities (rapid protection assessments; protection monitoring at household level; comprehensive assistance to identified cases with high-risk vulnerabilities or needs, including cases of CP and GBV, through direct provision of physical first aid, psychological support and legal counselling, and/or referral to most appropriate specialized services available; dissemination of emergency safety information and key life-saving messages; distribution of dignity kits, and mother and baby kits; socio-recreational activities, self-help groups and basic life-skills sessions; awareness raising campaigns) which will be implemented through the Local Partner, ensuring timely and quality delivery of the targets set as per approved project proposal.

· Prepare, manage and regularly update the project activities work plan and related financial plan, ensuring timely and quality implementation in compliance with the defined project strategy, as well as INTERSOS and donor guidelines.

· Set up an effective remote management system and undertake regular visits to the Local Partner’s Office in Dohuk to continuously monitor the progress and the quality implementation of the project activities. If the security situation allows, undertake field visits to the project locations in Ninewa Governorate as needed.

· Train, coordinate and supervise the project national staffs, and evaluate their performance.

· Prepare the project narrative and financial reports, according to INTERSOS and donor requirements.

· Ensure that all supporting documents (means of verification) and general project documents are properly filled in and filed.

· Establish and maintain collaborative relations with relevant donor officers, local authorities, local institutions, partners, project stakeholders and other organizations working in the project areas.

· Participate in meetings with relevant donor officers, programme and financial at both management and field level, according to the guidelines of the Head of Mission.

4. Required profile/experience

· Advanced University Degree in social science related fields such as Political Science, International Relations, International Development Cooperation, Sociology or similar subjects.

· At least 3 years of professional work experience in management of large-scale projects in humanitarian and/or development contexts, including at least 1 year in emergency settings.

· Proven experience in management of UN and/or ECHO funds.

· Proficient knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Technical competencies:

· Ability to set high standards for quality of work

· Ability to analyze and integrate information from a wide range of sources

· Ability to administrate funds, logistics and human resources

· Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

· Mastery of IT tools (MS Office package, internet, e-mail, etc.)

Behavioral competencies:

· Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with analytic approach

· Ability to take initiative and work autonomously

· Ability to achieve results effectively, considering the need for speed, scale and quality

· Ability to integrate and work well within multiethnic and multicultural teams

· Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships

Qualified applicants are requested to submit their curriculum vitae, motivation letter and 2 referencesto:recruitment@intersos.org, specifying in the subject ‘PM_Ninewa_Iraq”**

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview