Country Program Manager (Iraq) at Free to Run

Free to Run seeks a Country Program Manager to support Free to Run’s Executive Director in consolidating the day-to-day running of its Iraq activities for a contract period of one year (with the possibility of renewal). The anticipated start date is February 1, 2022.

Free to Run is an international organization that uses adventure sports to support women and girls living in areas of conflict to build their physical, emotional, and social well-being; developing them into community leaders so they can bring people together across cultural, ethnic and religious lines. We provide them with the tools to succeed and support them to transfer those successes to their everyday lives because they can and will be a force for positive change.

The Country Program Manager will have overall responsibility for in-country programs, will manage staff, and will manage and develop programs to meet organizational objectives. The Country Program Manager is responsible for financial oversight of all programs and will lead donor-relations in country. The Country Program Manager will report directly to the Free to Run Executive Director and liaise closely with Free to Run’s partners in Iraq.

Main Areas of Responsibility

· Program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;

· Networking and representation on behalf of Free to Run;

· Identification of funding opportunities and management of proposal development process;

· Capacity development of country staff and other relevant stakeholders.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities Will Include (but not be limited to):

· Monitoring the day to day activities across three provinces, including through:

· Managing projects according to activities set out in the annual work plan

· Working closely with the Executive Director to improve current data collection tools in place to provide more accurate and timely information on project indicators and objectives being met

· Implement a system that captures both qualitative and quantitative data

· Coordinating the work of staff across the country

· Supporting Free to Run curriculum development and implementation in Iraq

· Managing program funds

· Regularly communicating with Free to Run’s partners and coordinating their participation in events

· Compiling human interest stories and providing input to Free to Run’s social media strategy

· Providing training for, and technical advice to, staff and volunteers

· Supporting staff and partners to prepare and submit timely and quality financial and narrative reports

· Contributing to program development, program quality, strategic positioning, program cycle management (identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting)

· Providing logistical support for board member visits in-country

· Interacting with the donor community in Iraq

Benefits

In addition to a salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, we will provide the following benefits. Free to Run will cover costs of an emergency and medical evacuation service, visa fees, paid leave, and costs of round-trip airfare to Erbil. Housing will be provided.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must:

Be passionate about women’s empowerment, international development, and appreciate sports and adventure and have the following:

· Bachelor’s and 5 years of experience or master’s and 3 years of relevant experience, preferably in conflict areas.

· 3+ years of relevant project management experience providing technical leadership to major donor funded projects.

· Have travelled to or lived in a conflict-affected or developing country and be comfortable with living in such an environment, preferably with direct experience of Iraq.

· Be comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.

· Be familiar with the challenges facing women in conflict areas.

· Have the ability to work independently and against multiple deadlines.

· Be organized, able to multi-task, and a creative problem solver.

· Have demonstrated ability to coordinate logistics and implement action plans.

· Be willing and ready to learn quickly.

· Have excellent written communication skills and able to use Microsoft Office programs.

The ideal candidate will have:

· Experience assessing organizational needs.

· Experience in fundraising and grant writing.

· Strong (financial) project management, analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Experience in working with local NGOs, preferably with communities in conflict-affected states.

· Fluency in written and spoken Arabic or Kurdish.

Specifics of Duty Station:

The Country Program Manager will be mainly based in Erbil, with travel to various regions for project monitoring and coordination meetings.