Country Director Iraq At Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e.V.

The “Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland (ASB)” is a German aid and welfare organisation with more than 300 branches at national, regional, district and municipal level all over Germany. More than 1.4 million members provide a broad social basis for our organization and more than 40,000 employees as well as over 20,000 volunteers form part of the ASB ensuring a high level of quality in areas such as rescue services, civil protection and social services. Since its foundation in 1888, the ASB has acted as a politically and denominationally independent association ensuring a high level of continuity and reliability.

ASB Foreign Aid Department provides people centered humanitarian response to alleviate human suffering, contributes to building the resilience of systems, communities and societies and applies integrated approaches to welfare and to social and socio-economic development. ASB currently has a portfolio of more than 100 relief, rehabilitation, development and inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction projects and runs offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Kosovo, Nicaragua, Niger, Serbia and Ukraine.

Operational in Iraq since 2012, and with its own office structures since 2014, ASB has been committed to providing support that improves the lives of the people of Iraq through the delivery of efficient and cost-effective project services. Iraq Country Office serves to deliver a range of humanitarian relief and sustainable developmental projects in the sectors Livelihoods, WASH, Health and Protection. The Country Office is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with its portfolio, and developing and delivering cost effective services that are contributing to achievements of ASB sustainable management results.

ASB is currently seeking expressions of interest from qualified and committed individuals for the position of Country Director Iraq

The Country Director is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic development of the ASB Programme in Iraq. He / She is reporting to and supervised by the respective Desk Officer for Near and Middle East at ASB’s headquarter in Cologne, Germany.

Duration: 12 months (possibility of extension)

Start: March 1, 2025

Location: Dohuk, Northern Iraq (with project sites and offices in Baghdad, Salah ad-Din, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Anbar)

Vacancy: International position

Salary: ASB offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience

Key responsibilities:

• Project Management: To supervise all projects and programs implemented by ASB and local partner organizations in Iraq. This particularly concerns the achievement of project / program objectives and the timely development and submission of required project documentation including but not limited to fact-finding and assessment reports, project proposals, project reports and monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) related documentation.
• Programme and Project Development / Fundraising: To develop project concepts and proposals in close cooperation with ASB HQ. To establish and maintain close working relationships with multilateral and bilateral donor agencies in order to raise funds for new project activities in line with ASB’s programmatic priorities as defined in ASB Foreign Aid’s mission statement.
• Compliance: To ensure that all personnel and projects adhere to ASB‘s internal strategies and policies, particularly ASB’s Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), Code of Conduct, PSEAH and Strategic Objectives of ASB Foreign Aid Department. To ensure compliance with donor regulations as well as with rules and regulations of the country in which projects are being implemented.
• Representation:To liaise and represent ASB towards the Governments of Iraq and KRI, UN agencies, European Union, diplomatic missions and the (I)NGO community and networks, donor agencies, the media as well as other key stakeholders.
• Partnerships & Alliances:To maintain existing partnerships and alliances as well as build up new partnerships and alliances.
• Financial Oversight: To supervise financial management, including but not limited to country budget including all projects and programs as well as financial management systems to ensure full-compliance with ASB’s as well as donor financial guidelines, procedures and policies.
• Personnel Management: To supervise recruitment and human resource management of all personnel employed by ASB Country Office Iraq. This includes the direct line management of the senior management team.
• Safety and Security: To ensure the overall safety and security of personnel and assets in line with ASB’s Basic Strategy and Guiding Principles on Safety and Security.
• Communication: To maintain regular and close communication with ASB‘s HQ in Cologne on all relevant matters, particularly project progress, development of new projects and programs as well as strategic development of the long-term portfolio.

Key Requirements:

• Relevant University Degree (degree in humanitarian studies / development studies or similar is an advantage)
• Minimum eight years of relevant work experience including at senior management level
• Profound knowledge and understanding of project management tools (PDM, Log Frame, Outcome oriented M&E, etc.)
• Profound experience in key working areas such as Humanitarian Assistance, Resilience Building, Livelihood and Socio-Economic Development, Social Inclusion
• Experienced in liaison/lobbying/advocacy with key stakeholders
• Strong proposal development skills
• Proficient knowledge in budget development / budget management as well as administration and logistics
• Experience with international donor agencies such as German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), German Federal Foreign Office, European Commission, and or others
• Understanding of humanitarian principles (Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere Minimum Standards, etc.)
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Arabic is an asset
• Experience in fragile/hardship locations especially in Iraq or other countries in the Near and Middle East is and experience leading an extensive portfolio / operations is a distinctive asset.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and organizational skills
• The ability to inspire and work independently
• MS Office proficiency