Job Title: Chief of Party II – Iraq Civic Engagement Activity

Job Location: Erbil, Iraq

Reports to: Country Representative, Iraq

Salary Grade: 12

*This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, governance, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Since 2014, CRS has served more than 350,000 people across Iraq through six offices with over 100 staff. CRS centralizes localization and partnerships in its programming, and maintains strong networks with Civil Society Organizations, government, INGOs and other key international and national stakeholders throughout Iraq, including in Anbar, Baghdad, Duhok, Kirkuk and Ninewa governorates. CRS works together with diverse communities to strengthen the country’s institutions and local governance, restore basic services and increase citizen engagement, and support the most vulnerable to live in peaceful, resilient, and dignified communities.

Job Summary:

Pending a successful application and donor approval, as Chief of Party II, you will provide vision, leadership and overall management of the anticipated five-year USAID-funded Iraq Civic Engagement Activity (ICEA). The proposed program will foster a more politically engaged citizenry in Iraq, enhancing trust and participation in the country’s democratic processes. This activity seeks to elevate civic literacy, empower citizens to actively engage and contribute to discussions on issues of concern and to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in the democratic processes. This includes fostering awareness of governmental processes, promoting access to accurate media content, facilitating increased engagement with government entities at various levels, and empowering citizens to participate in public life. The expected result is a more resilient and participatory democracy in Iraq, with a particular emphasis on empowering marginalized groups.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of the implementation and consolidation of an anticipated multi-year civic engagement program to achieve project goals and objectives.
• Lead the development of a vision and strategy for the program. Provide technical leadership in areas such as civic participation/engagement, social and political empowerment, information integrity, and local capacity strengthening.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to the donor, providing regular project updates, as well as foster relationships with relevant public, private, media, and non-government stakeholders.
• Manage relationships with partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Coordinate the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to donor. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and donor cost modification requests. Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources.
• Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans and ensure the updating of such plans.
• Represent CRS programming in international circles, highlighting innovative work. Publish program results and deliver presentations. Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements and procedures.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, international relations, or a relevant technical area. PhD preferred.
• 10 or more years of relevant management and technical experience in large and complex initiatives or in similar governance/civic engagement programs.
• At least 7 years of experience managing donor funds, including USAID funds. Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management.
• At least 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Established leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations.
• Ability to represent and present at high levels.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Excellent relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Required Languages – English required. Arabic is an asset.

Travel– The position is anticipated to be based in Erbil. Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% within Iraq. Occasional international travel may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: To be confirmed. Supervisory responsibilities are subject to change.

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal – ICEA Deputy Chief of Party, ICEA Operations and Finance Director, Country Representative, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, MEAL Technical Advisor, Finance Manager, Country Program Technical Advisors for Governance and Citizen Engagement, Regional Technical Advisor.

External – USAID, partner INGOs and local NGOs, private sector actors, relevant government ministries, and peer agencies.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff): Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note:  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer