Iraq: Project Manager

Transform the lives of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities and be at the forefront of social change.

About You: A driven and passionate early-mid-career professional looking to work alongside an inspiring, dynamic team of leading human rights workers. The candidate will have exceptional project management skills and embrace a collaborative, team approach to the work they do. This person has experience living and working in challenging operating environments and is eager to gain experience working on innovative human rights projects that support some of the most vulnerable people in Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

The Project: In response to a series of continuing, systemic challenges to human rights protections within the criminal justice systems in Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), some of which have been exacerbated by the emergence and rapid expansion of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), HAI is implementing a 24-month project to support the Government of Iraq (GoI) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) better protect the rights of suspects and detainees within the current insecure environment. Specifically, it aims to ensure that detained persons, including men, women and children, are treated with dignity; hold government stakeholders accountable to obligations under UNCAT and other international standards for the treatment of detainees and suspects; and supports civil society to defend the rights of survivors of torture and detainees deprived of procedural due process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:The Project Manager will be based in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq and will take overall responsibility for program implementation, ensuring that all program activities will be implemented in line with the project work plan and in accordance with Heartland Alliance and the donor’s standards and requirements. The Project Manager will be responsible for technical oversight of all components of the project, including oversight of the partner LNGO’s.

Project Technical Support:

Program implementation, oversight and development

• Leads the implementation of the project
• Conducts an assessment of project implementation status against project work plan, in collaboration with project coordinator, and takes appropriate steps to ensure project is in track in meeting deliverables and spending
• Monitors project goals and partner activities to ensure project success
• Organizes appropriate trainings, roundtables, events and other activities to achieve project objectives
• Develops and monitors work plans, budgets, and progress reports as required by HAI, donors and partners
• Manages partner and collaborative relationships
• Maintains relationships with current and potential funding sponsors and networks with other human rights NGOs

Communication & Monitoring and Evaluation

• Represents HAI to NGO partners, government officials, funding sources, other partners, beneficiaries, and at conferences, meetings and other outreach opportunities.
• Ensures monitoring and evaluation activities and reporting to meet HAI’s standards, and are completed on schedule
• Develops, reviews, and finalizes program monthly, quarterly, and annual project reports

Financial Management and Grant Oversight

• Responsible for implementing activities in accordance with project or activity budgets
• Consults with Project Coordinator and Director of Finance and Administration regarding best practices for financial administration of project work
• Monitors grant agreements and sub-agreements for project partners
• Works with Project Coordinator and Director of Finance and Administration to monitor budget and revise budgets, as needed.

Other duties, as assigned

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to the Country Director and Deputy Country Director
• Collaborates closely with the Project Coordinator on a daily basis
• Provides support and interacts with project partners in Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
• As needed, communicates with HAI Headquarters leadership and support staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential

• Master degree, plus a minimum of 5 years in an international non-governmental organization setting; law degree, international relations, social science, or other relevant degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience managing international development and / or civil society projects.
• Previous working experience or understanding of the human rights environment in Iraq, with at least 2 years working in the field of legal protections or legal services.
• Proven project management skills with experience supporting complex projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills and mentoring skills to work effectively with partners, government officials, local NGOs, media, and staff
• Demonstrated success in supporting effective, efficient and timely project planning, financial management, program monitoring, report writing, and identifying and procuring technical assistance
• A track record that demonstrates energy and creativity, and the ability to successfully prioritize and manage competing priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to reside in Sulaimaniyah and travel within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; ability to remotely support partners and project work in federal Iraq

Desirable

· Experience or knowledge of international human rights, including working with torture or trauma survivors.

· Preferred experience or knowledge of human rights challenges specifically related to the Middle East and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

· Proven ability to support project implementation, including work for an international organization in Iraq or the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Languages

· Essential –Proficient in English (read, write and communicate)

· Desirable –Working knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish

Computer Skills:Ability to effectively work using Microsoft Office (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), and other software applicable to the area of work. Knowledge of database software, such as SPS, and ability to direct data entry specialist for analysis and aggregation of data.

Personal Competencies:Collaborative spirit and ability to work independently as well as in a team; commitment to knowledge sharing and teamwork; positive attitude and ability to see through challenges to find solutions; and strong interpersonal skills and an ability to clearly communicate, including complex concepts into layperson language.

Resilience:This project will address sensitive issues. Interested applicants should have a strong commitment to addressing the issue of the use of torture with cultural sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality. Candidates should be flexible, have a sense of patience, and be able to work effectively independently and as a member of a team.

To Apply: Please send cover letter (1 page maximum) explaining your interest and how your experience meets the qualifications required, plus a CV, to Nehad El Gamal, Country Director, at nelgamal@heartlandalliance.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back from us within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.