International Head of Mission (female) (100%) – Starting Date: as soon as possible At medica mondiale

medica mondiale is a non-governmental organisation based in Cologne, Germany. As a feminist women’s rights and aid organisation medica mondiale supports women and girls in war and crisis zones throughout the world. Through own programmes and in cooperation with local women’s organisations we offer holistic support to women and girl survivors of sexualised and gender-based violence. On the political level, we pro-actively promote women’s rights, call for a rigorous punishment of crimes as well as effective protection, justice and political participation for survivors of violence. Currently medica mondiale is working in Northern Iraq/Kurdistan, in Afghanistan, in West Africa, in Kosovo, in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the African Great Lakes Region.

For our Sub-Country Office in the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) we are advertising the position of an

International Head of Mission (female) (100%) (Starting Date: as soon as possible)

Background: Since 2015, medica mondiale has been implementing programmes and projects in the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) focusing on strengthening local protection and counseling for women and girls affected by sexualized and gender-based violence (SGBV). As one component of this program, medica mondiale is improving the quality of direct services provided by the Kurdish Regional Government and civil society organizations through capacity development measures. In order to provide support more effectively and to increase collaboration with relevant stakeholders, medica mondiale opened a sub-country office in Dohuk in 2016. Currently medica mondiale is in the process of developing its regional strategy Iraq based on its new organizational and international program strategy, which identifies three main fields of action: a) SGBV prevention, b) SGBV response and c) feminist action. In this context, medica mondiale is assessing the work and role of its country office in Dohuk, is diversifying its partner portfolio through a small-scale funding programme and is planning to further strengthen networking and advocacy activities.

Project setup: Duty station of the Head of Mission is Dohuk, KRI. The position requires travel to field locations in the Kurdish Region of Iraq. If required, the Head of Mission will also travel to Central Iraq, with security measures in place.

Position summary: The Head of Mission represents medica mondiale and its country portfolio to national and international governmental and non-state actors, to civil society organizations and to partners based in KRI and Iraq. She ensures the overall management of the sub-country office. She is responsible for the smooth implementation of the programme and identifies new partners and opportunities for intervention, e.g. in the context of a small-scale programme. She builds up and manages strategic partnerships and advocates for women’s rights with relevant stakeholders and networks. She reports to the Head of International Programmes and Regional Manager and liaises with the Regional Manager at the Head Office in Cologne.

Key responsibilities:

• Run the sub-country office, currently consisting of one international technical expert, two local Support Officers (finance, admin and logistics) drivers and technical staff on consultancy basis;
• Ensure administrative, finance and HR as well as security management in line with medica mondiale procedures;
• Manage programme funds within the budget framework; ensure all internal administrative, financial, logistical and security requirements are met;
• Liaise with relevant actors and represent medica mondiale towards national and international stakeholders and bodies;
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of medica mondiale’s programme in KRI, identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations;
• Identify opportunities and partners for new interventions and contribute to resource mobilisation;
• Participate in medica mondiale’s strategic and operational planning;
• Monitor and report on the security situation in Iraq and in particular in the Kurdish Region of Iraq and ensure implementation of the medica mondiale security policy and participate in reviewing it;
• Report to head office according to standards in a timely, effective manner.
• Project management for specific projects and programmes, e.g. small grants programme
• Contribute to the Regional strategy Development and SWOT Analysis of the Country Office

Experience/knowledge and skills:

• Demonstrated track record in financial, administrative and HR management, including security, logistics, and operations;
• Profound knowledge of the different forms and consequences of violence against women as well as gender and sexualised war and post-war violence, and of women’s rights;
• Profound experience and knowledge in political advocacy and networking activities on women’s rights, preferably in KRI, Iraq and the region
• Experience in project work, i.e. PCM, proposal writing and budgeting and managing donors-implementers relationships, Knowledge and experience in cooperating with local organisations in (post)conflict settings;
• Excellent command of the English language combined with strong writing skills; knowledge in Arabic and / or Kurdish (Badhini) languages is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in organisational development regarding both operational and organisational structures is an asset;
• Work experience and a personal network in the region is an asset.

Personal skills:

• Feminist background and a clear commitment to work with a women-centred and empowering approach;
• Ability to work in an independent and self-contained way, while maintaining reliable communication and working relations with both, head office, remote staff and partner organisations;
• Stress-resilient, flexible; pro-active
• Strong communications, interpersonal and inter-cultural skills: ability to communicate with actors from the grassroots to the national level, both governmental and non-governmental

We offer:

• 1,5-year contract, with possibility for extension
• Salary and benefits based on medica mondiale’s salary scale for international assignments
• Insurance, travel cost refund etc.
• Rest & Recreation benefits

We strive for greater diversity of life and backgrounds in the office and therefore expressly welcome applications from people with an immigrant background, people with experience of racism/people of colour and people with disabilities.

Start: by agreement, preferably August 1st, 2022

Application closing date: applications will be reviewed continuously after June 20th, 2022 (ongoing process)

Interviews: Interviews will be held continuously starting end of June – July until position is filled

Please e-mail your application (CV, cover letter and references not exceeding 4MB and 2 attachments) as well as your salary expectations to: Sue Winter: recruitment@medicamondiale.org, reference: International Head of Mission