Iraq: Project Coordinator

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-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:TheProject Coordination Officer will be based in Sulaimaniya, Iraq and will work directly under the supervision of the Project’s Program Manager to assist with program implementation, ensuring that all program activities will be implemented in line with the project work plan and in accordance with Heartland Alliance International and the donor’s standards and requirements. The Project Coordinator will supervise project partners in the IKR and Baghdad. The Project Coordinator will provide support for technical oversight of all components of the project, including working with local NGO partners to ensure successful project implementation.

Project Technical Support:

Project implementation support

· Works closely with the project manager in identifying the needs and the necessary steps for implementing the project effectively, toward reaching strategic objectives and intermediate results

· Is prompt in dealing with unexpected challenges with a strong solution-oriented approach

· Closely monitors the developments of the legal and advocacy component of the project (case files review, legal analysis).

· Provides support for planning, organizing, and, preparing trainings, roundtables, events, campaigns and other activities to achieve project objectives

· Collaborates with project manager to monitors work plans, budgets, and progress reports as required by HAI, donors and partners

· Assists the team Legal Officer in his duties

· Assists in supporting, monitoring and counseling project partners to enhance effectiveness of activities

Communication and Monitor &Evaluation

· Collaborates closely with program manager to continuous assess status of implementation against project work plan and makes recommendations for appropriate steps to ensure project is on track in meeting deliverables

· Ensure accurate data collection from partners in HAI M&E tools

· Supports compilation and writing of reviews, and monthly, quarterly, and annual project reports, ensuring timely and high quality reporting

· With Program Manager, represents HAI to NGO partners, government officials, funding sources, other partners, beneficiaries, and at conferences, meetings and other outreach opportunities

Financial management and grant oversight

· Manages project expenses and reimbursements under direction of the program manager

· Assists program manager in monitoring and preparing monthly budget forecasts and projections

· Supports program manager in monitoring grant agreements and sub-agreements for project partners

· Works with program manager and director of finance and administration to monitor budget and revise budgets, as needed

Other duties, as assigned

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to Program Manager, with oversight from Head of Programs
• Supports Program Manager in managing partner relationships and serves as back-up point of contact for project partners in absence of Program Manager
• Collaborates closely with Project Manager and Head of Programs on a daily basis
• Provides support and interacts with project partners in Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
• Communicates with Country Director, HAI Headquarters leadership and support staff, as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential

• Master degree, plus a minimum of 2 years in an international non-governmental organization setting; law degree, international relations, social science, or other relevant degree preferred.
• Previous experience or understanding of the human rights, social and political environment in Iraq
• 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.