IRAQ – PROGRAMS COORDINATOR (H/F) – ERBIL At Solidarités International

Posted on: 12/12/2022

Desired start date: March 2023
Duration of the mission: 10 months
Location: Erbil, Iraq, with regular visits to the field bases

ABOUT THE MISSION…

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, for nearly 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI’s interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in some twenty countries, the SI teams – 2000 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers – intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.

SI has had an operational presence in Iraq since 2017 to respond to post-conflict emergency needs of multi-displaced populations in Ninewa Governorate, widely affected by the war against ISIL. SI has particularly been working in informal settlements and collective centers to provide WASH and shelter assistance to those affected by protracted displacements as well as by camp closures in October 2020. Thanks to its strong WASH expertise, SI has been leading IHF and ECHO-supported WaSH consortia composed of both national and international partners since 2018, providing assistance to in and out-of-camp populations until December 2022.

SI strategy is now focused on ending displacement through Durable Solutions, including access to basic services, WaSH and increased livelihoods while working towards Integrated Water Resources Management. SI also plans on partnering with civil society platforms and academics to strengthen water governance, improve sustainable access to water for multi-purpose use and mitigate socio-economic impacts of climate change on farmers, farming being the main livelihood activity.

To learn more about the Iraq mission, please click here

ABOUT THE JOB

Main responsibilities

The program coordinator contributes to the development of SI’s strategy by proposing sector-based strategies for the whole activities.

He/she specifically the guarantor of the quality and suitability of proposed technical approaches and ensures the appropriateness between SI’s activities and general objectives and needs of the population.
He/she coordinates the project cycle and more particularly the operational monitoring of programs implemented in the intervention country.
He/she contributes to the capitalization process and the improvement of SI’s methods and techniques.

General objectives

Contribute to the development of SI’s strategy by proposing sector-based strategies for the whole activities. The Program Coordinator is also the guarantor of the quality and suitability of proposed technical approaches and ensures the appropriateness between SI’s activities and general objectives and needs of the population.
Coordinate the project cycle and more particularly the operational monitoring of programs implemented in Iraq.

Between April 2021 and March 2023, SI implements a WaSH and Livelihoods stabilization intervention in Areas of Returns in Sinjar and Ba’aj Districts. In addition to WaSH infrastructure rehabilitation, including borehole and water networks, SI implemented activities focusing on restoring livelihood opportunities through business grants, support to agricultural value chains and Cash for training.

Management

Erbil: Reporting and Communication Officer & 1 MEAL Team Leader

Mosul/Sinjar: 1 Program Manager (Technical Link) + 1 AFD Project Manager (Technical Link) – if funding

Budget

Current: EUR 1+ million + proposals submitted for + EUR 2 million (several years)

SI’s current main donors in Iraq are AICS, CDCS, potentially AFD.

Main challenges

Recent downsizing due to transition from emergency to development and limited funding opportunities
Lack of grants department on a mission that is to develop many proposals and do important networking and representation to attract development donors
Need to move towards Integrated Water Resource Management and climate change adaptation on a mission used to emergency WASH and shelter interventions
Need to build the mission with a development outlook and structure against its historical emergency one
Multi-tasking as the position needs to be fully involved in proposal development and writing, reporting, representation, technical and strategic support as well as being the head of the MEAL department (1 team leader in Mosul)
Capacity building of SI’s staff, partners related to program management, CSO and local technical counterpart partners.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months

Meet all relevant donors and prospect for new funding opportunities
Finalize CDCS project and endline (including the report) in the absence of a PM in Sinjar/Ba’aj
Launch of 2 projects in Ninewa and follow up on the implementation
Build strong lesson learned on past projects
Strengthen livelihoods and climate change approach and strategy, in particular through trainings to the team

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience

Good representation and proposal development and writing skills
Good knowledge and experience in multi-sectoral project management (WASH, livelihoods)
Experience with development projects, especially related to water management and climate change adaptation, preferred
Experience and a strong appetite for Programs/MEAL-related capacity building (at both manager/coordination/partners levels)
Previous MEAL experience needed
Capacity to work closely with bases and support departments
Capacity to develop a sound programmatic strategy in close collaboration with bases. In addition, capacity building of staff and partners and around program management.
Good knowledge of SI processes and available tools is an asset
Problem solver, organization skills, methodology and flexibility

Language

English: bilingual

Arabic and French are strong assets.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried position
According to experience, starting from EUR 2 640 gross / per month (2400 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance, paid monthly); and a Per Diem of USD 750 / per month.
SI covers both the accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s residency and the field.

The Programs Coordinator lives in a shared guesthouse with other international colleagues.

Living conditions

Living conditions in Erbil are very good with an easy access to a wide range of restaurants, cafes…

Security risks are low and restrictions are very limited.

However, when going on the field bases, living conditions are more basic, with fewer opportunities for socialization, as well as some individual movements’ restrictions. Security levels vary according to the different geographical locations and changes of context.

Breaks
During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of on 7 working days every three months. SI provides a USD 850 break allowance.

For example, for a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have 7 working days off at 3, 6 and 9 month.

In addition to these, SI adds 1 additional monthly rest day / per month of work, i.e. 12 additional days off for a one-year contract.

Medical insurances
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package, which includes all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system, including war risks.

Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.