Iraq: Emergency Coordinator - Iraq

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: Emergency Coordinator (EC)

Location: The post holder will be based in Erbil with frequent missions to Baghdad and other Iraqi Governorates, as necessary

Reporting to: Regional Director

Starting date: September 2016

Duration of contract: 6 months

Dependents: No

2. General context of the mission

INTERSOS had been working in Iraq from 2003 till 2010 with programs aimed at responding to urgent material safety needs and enhancing access to basic social services for vulnerable individuals and communities in Central and Southern Iraq, Baghdad and Kurdistan. Over the years, INTERSOS operations developed encompassing activities in health care, legal protection and assistance, warehousing and distribution of essential goods, mine/UXO clearance, shelter, water and sanitation, psychosocial support and education targeting internally displaced people and voluntary returnees, as well as host communities, with special focus on most vulnerable groups (children, women, elderly and persons with special needs).

Following the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation which is negatively affecting also the neighboring countries, in November 2013 INTERSOS has resumed the operations in the area to contribute towards ensuring emergency relief and social protection assistance for the Syrian refugees fleeing their home in search of safety. Furthermore, since the surge in violence between armed groups and government forces with fighting spreading into Central and Northern Iraq, in July 2014 INTERSOS has extended its operations in the Kurdistan Region and is currently providing services and activities aimed at assisting both Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs in camp and non-camp settings, with interventions mainly concentrated on the Community Services, Protection, Food Security and Education Sectors. INTERSOS is now planning to further contribute towards assisting vulnerable conflict-affected civil population in the whole of Iraq by expanding the on-going activities in terms of geographical target areas and sectors of expertise to properly respond to unmet needs and detected gaps. Within the framework of the current Contingency Plan for the Mosul humanitarian operation, INTERSOS is directly engaged in preparedness and pre-positioning, specifically in Ninewa and Salah al-Din Governorates, concentrating in health, NFIs and shelter and protection activities.

3. Tasks and responsibilities

The Emergency Coordinator collaborates with the Regional Director and the Head of Mission by ensuring the coordination and follow up of the emergency Iraq programme, with particular focus on Mosul Operation. In particular he/she will be responsible for overall management, oversight, leadership and strategic direction of the emergency portfolio made up of all the emergency response projects. He/She will be engaged in proposal development. Through close coordination with the head of mission and project managers he/she ensures that the ongoing project interventions are properly implemented. In particular the Emergency Coordinator is responsible for:

Assessment, Programme Design and Planning

· In association with the Regional Director and the HoM, ensure in depth emergency assessments (with focus on INTERSOS’s core sectors, health, WASH and NFIs/Shelter) are executed.

· Coordinate the development of all project implementation plans and budgets within the framework of the agreed emergency response programme and strategy.

· Assist and advise the Regional Director and HoM with securing donor funding for emergency projects.

· Oversee project design and proposal preparations for institutional and public funding and ensure linkage with ongoing program through the HoM.

Emergency Project Management and Implementation

· Maintain ongoing surveillance of the developing humanitarian emergency situation and adjust activities accordingly

· Oversee and establish partnership in order to ensure proper implementation and monitoring of activities by partners.

· Ensure adequate monitoring, reporting and acquittal of emergency response activities in accordance with INTERSOS International’s humanitarian accountability framework, relevant SPHERE standards, and essential environmental mitigation measures.

· Ensure that different sectorial activities are implemented in a coordinated and integrated manner in close relationship with local partners.

General Management and Leadership

· Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with other NGO’s, UN agencies, host government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other principle stakeholders including the military where present and if necessary.

· Create the conditions to ensure effective teamwork and morale.

· Conduct performance appraisals of staff under his or her responsibility if and as required, ensure regular feedback and mentoring on individual performance.

· Provide proper support to local partners and help them to review proactively capacity and fill gaps.

· Ensure the Regional Director and HoM are kept informed about assessment progress, emergency response implementation and strategies, project plans, progress reports, and other significant developments.

Human Resources

· Recruit, manage, motivate, orientate and support the all the emergency team; supervise all relations and communications promoting staff motivation and cohesion; supervise, support and evaluate the performance of Project Managers and report to the Regional Director.

· Monitor ongoing human resources issues and make recommendations and adjustments accordingly.

Financial Management and Planning

· To be responsible for accurate emergency projects administration and to supervise preparation of accounting documents for intermediate and final financial reports required by donors.

4. Required profile/experience

· Minimum of 5 years humanitarian aid experience in complex and natural disasters

· High level of all aspects of managerial experience, including managing multi-million dollar budgets

· Experience in complex decision making and leading a multi-disciplinary, multi-national team under difficult circumstances

· High level of expertise in representation and negotiation with governments and donors

· Previous experience in Iraq is an asset

· Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, including Sphere, the humanitarian system, donors, security, civil military liaison and program management

· Ability to prepare concept papers and project proposals in accordance with the standards required by INTERSOS and Donors.

· Good communication skills in English

· Computer and finance skills

· Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills

· Ability and interest to coach staff

· Experience with the management of a diverse workforce

· Strong representation and negotiation skills

· Demonstrated use of positive coping strategies in stressful environments

· Demonstrated cross cultural communication skills

· Donor compliance and reporting

· Experience in successfully managing institutional partnerships with national and international NGOs

· Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with donors and government counterparts.

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

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