Chief of Party At Heartland Alliance

Organizational Background:

Heartland Alliance International (HAI) is the international wing of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, a family of organizations that has been leading anti-poverty and social justice work in Chicago for more than 125 years. HAI is comprised of numerous country offices implementing programs on a broad range of human rights issues globally, as well as the Chicago-based Marjorie Kovler Center for survivors of torture. HAI’s technical areas of expertise include mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), gender equity, access to justice, and stigma-free health care. Across all programs, HAI promotes progressive, innovative approaches to human rights protections and gender equity.

Overview:

HAI Iraq seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated multiyear USAID/Iraq Civil Society Activity that seeks to increase citizen engagement in the public sphere, especially among women and youth, while supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) to connect to and empower citizens and other CSOs. The Activity will also provide tailored capacity building to cover any skill gaps that civil society may need – preferably through networks of CSOs in Iraq and/or the region acting as “incubators” for this skills building. This COP will lead all aspects of implementation of HAI’s innovative, place-based and community-responsive support services. The COP will provide technical and administrative leadership and expertise over the program. S/he will serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Iraq and will be responsible for the management of all aspects of activity implementation, including, but not limited to, technical, administrative, operational, and logistical management.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

– Provide overall technical and operational leadership for the implementation of the project while ensuring compliance with USAID financial and programmatic requirements, regulations and HAI policies.

– Guide and supervise the work of key project personnel, consultants, subcontractors and partners to ensure attainment of project objectives in a timely, compliant and responsive manner.

– Serve as the official contact point providing overall project management and direction for the project.

– Ensure that program goals and objectives are met within the agreed upon period and budget.

– Liaise with HAI´s partners, relevant NGOs, USAID, the In-Country Team and other NGOs to ensure solid coordination and encourage knowledge sharing.

– Oversee the development of annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation plans and other required documents.

– Directly supervise the Deputy Chief of Party, Civil Society Capacity Development Technical Specialist and Coordinator, and other project senior staff to ensure that all deliverables are met in a timely fashion.

– Oversee the quality and timely delivery of all programmatic and financial reports to ensure compliance with USAID practices.

– High sensitivity to gender and demonstrated ability to integrate gender considerations in management, operation and programs.

Qualifications

Authorization to work in Iraq, with strong preference for Iraqi nationals. Master’s degree in social sciences, community development, communications, business, international development, and/or other related fields. Ten (10) years’ work experience implementing civil society activities including engagement with legal frameworks imposed on civil society, grants to local organizations, citizen engagement, and CSO financial and organizational sustainability. Five (5) years’ experience in managing staff with proven skills in managing diverse teams across a wide implementation area. Strong coordination and communication skills to include a variety of stakeholders (national, international, government, non-government, international organization, donor). Demonstrated history of professional experience with large-scale, US Government funded programming. Previous experience with USAID strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience working alongside and developing the capacity of grassroots NGOs. Fluent written and spoken English. Some knowledge of Arabic is preferred. Knowledge of the Middle East Region is required.