• Provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise. Responsible for administering and managing the implementation of the activity and has the overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided is technically sound and appropriate to meet activity objectives.

• Lead the development of a vision and strategy for the program shared with the program team and key stakeholders.

• Play an active role in identifying and developing new initiatives that foster and/or improve strategic objectives of the program and the country office.

• Integrate and embrace all voices into shared strategies for inclusive, peaceful, and responsive governance.

• Prioritize collaborative design and adapative management with Iraqi partners and stakeholders, for a locally led program vision that empowers Iraqi organizations and leaders.

• Oversee program management and administration for the duration of ICEA. Ensure implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to assess impact.

• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.

• Develop partnership frameworks, partner agreements/Memorandum of Understandings, and oversee capacity building for partners.

• Integrate locally-driven approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacitystrengthening and sharing into all activities, as appropriate. Certify that all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participant accountability standards.

• Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice for systems thinking, resilience, peacebuilding, and governance approaches.

• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
  

• Oversee recruitment and onboarding of Activity staff and consultants.

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of staff roles, and assist with career development.

• Provide team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.

• Promote staff accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews.

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

• Support Mercy Corps global and regional initiatives for human resources, including safeguarding and diversity, and talent development.

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant forums in close coordination with the Country Director.

• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, government and other implementers as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

• Serve as an active contributor and collaborator with regional and global counterparts to promote best practices.

• Maintain close working relationships with counterparts in other organizations in Iraq.

• Ensure compliance with USAID and Mercy Corps’ regulations.

• Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor, and Mercy Corps’ needs.

• Ensure sound financial management, including programmatic budgeting, spending projections, and monitoring of payments in compliance with USAID standards.

• Collaborate with country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events.

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.

• Ensure that activities are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience, including proven expertise in one or more of the following program areas civic engagement, community mobilization, governance, peacebuilding, youth development, and/or civil society strengthening

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior management position, preferably for medium ($15+ million) and complex USAID-funded activities; previous experience in similar roles (Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, or Program Director) preferred

• Experience managing diverse multi-lingual teams located in different geographic locations, with experience in the Middle East strongly preferred

• Familiarity with USAID rules, regulations, and requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a proven ability to network and maintain effective working relationships with diverse actors including CSOs, civic groups, community- based organizations, media, academia, political parties, government, the private sector, and USAID and other donors

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Iraq’s and similar complex political, governance, and conflict dynamics preferred

• Experience with collaborative design and management with local partners, mentoring and supporting development of partner capacity, and transition processes and awards preferred.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English