Civil Society Technical Officer, Iraq Civil Society Activity (ICSA) At Counterpart International

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures. For more information on Counterpart, please visit our website at www.Counterpart.org

Counterpart International is seeking a Civil Society Technical Officer for the USAID-funded ICSA-Tafa’aol program. The Technical Officer will play a key role in supporting the program’s civil society strengthening efforts, including capacity-building, advocacy, social accountability, and organizational development of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Under the guidance of the Team Lead, the Technical Officer will assist in identifying needs, developing technical work plans, and supporting the delivery of capacity-building activities for local partners and sub-grantees. The role involves providing technical support to CSOs to enhance their ability to advocate, engage communities, and hold local and national authorities accountable.

The Technical Officer will collaborate closely with program staff to mobilize technical assistance, organize mentoring support, and monitor the progress and impact of program activities. The role also supports reporting, data collection, and the preparation of technical documentation to ensure compliance with USAID regulations and guidelines.

This position is ideal for a professional with a strong understanding of civil society dynamics in Iraq, a commitment to promoting inclusive development, and the ability to coordinate effectively with partners and stakeholders. Only local candidates will be considered for this position.

Only local candidates will be considered for this position.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of civil society strengthening activities under the guidance of the Team Lead.
• Support the identification of needs and approaches to civil society capacity building.
• Has experience improving Scope of Works (SOWs) that align with the goals of the Tafa’aol project and reflect community priorities.
• Capable of reviewing, analyzing, and enhancing concept notes while assessing their eligibility against the ICSA-Tafa’aol rapid response fund criteria.
• Support the development and implementation of technical work plans and training materials, ensuring they align with project objectives and local priorities.
• Provide technical support to sub-grantees and local CSOs on organizational development, advocacy, civic engagement, and social accountability.
• Collaborate with program staff to mobilize and deliver technical assistance and mentoring for CSOs.
• Assist in collecting and organizing quantitative and qualitative data to monitor the progress and impact of civil society activities.
• Support the preparation of reports, presentations, and documentation on program activities and achievements.
• Coordinate activities and communication with civil society partners, local stakeholders, and relevant actors as directed.
• Assist with sub-grant implementation in collaboration with the Grants team, ensuring alignment with capacity-building priorities.
• Ensure timely support for reporting and administrative requirements of civil society components in compliance with USAID regulations and guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Team Lead or management.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, social sciences, international development, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in the civil society development field, preferably with international organizations operating in the Middle East.
• Prior experience in the Middle East, and Iraq in particular, is preferred.
• Strong understanding of civil society dynamics, advocacy, and organizational development.
• Experience supporting project implementation and working with sub-grants or capacity-building initiatives.
• Good problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including civil society partners, government entities, and communities.
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations related to civil society components is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender integration in programming.
• Ability to prepare reports, deliver presentations, and provide input to technical documents.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in Arabic; professional-level English is required.
• Ability to work in dynamic and fast-paced environments with minimal supervision.