Job Description
Roles & Responsibilities
Role Purpose
The Country Director, Iraq will lead Save the Children’s programmes in Iraq based out of Erbil, with frequent travel to Baghdad, reporting to the Middle East North Africa, and Eastern Europe Regional Director. The Iraq Country Director will provide strategic direction to the programme; is responsible for identifying needs and resources, and elaborating programme recommendations in line with Save the Children national and global priorities. The post-holder will ensure that all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child safeguarding, safety and security, code of conduct, equal opportunities and other relevant policies are in place. The Country Director is accountable for appropriate fiscal management of the Iraq Country Office and ensuring strong management of risks, including key legal and regulatory risks.
The Iraq Country Director is to lead the development and delivery of the country strategy to bring about lasting positive change to the lives of children and their families who do not enjoy full access to their rights. Iraq’s country strategy focuses on climate resilience, stronger child protection systems, emergency preparedness, equitable education access, and combating exploitation. The post holder will play a strategic role in the effective management of Save the Children programmes across Iraq and will be the primary Save the Children representative with local authorities, donor representatives, peer agencies and communities.
As a member of the Middle East, North Africa, & Eastern Europe Regional Leadership Team, they will have also shared accountability for Save the Children’s international development and emergency programming in the region. To achieve our ambitious goals and breakthroughs for children, the leadership team will, in collaboration with Save the Children Members and in conjunction with the other regional organisations, work to drive strategy, compliance and quality across the region.
Experience and Skills
Essential
Substantial experience of building, leading and developing a diverse team of senior staff to deliver on both development and humanitarian programs
Experience working with large, complex donors to secure and/or manage new large-scale and/or competitive funding
Experience of managing a humanitarian crisis situation requiring quick changes to priorities and rapid action to respond
Excellent understanding and experience of risk, programme, financial and operational management processes
Experience of successfully leading change in an organisation
Experience of building effective personal networks at a senior level
Experience of managing security in a complex and rapidly changing environment
Experience of solving complex issues
Good understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development
Commitment to Save the Children values
Fluency in English
Desirable
Experience of Iraq with sound knowledge of the country context and key government and civil society stakeholders
Fluency in Arabic
Education and Qualifications
Essential
Master’s degree level qualification or equivalent length of experience in the sector
Values in Practice
Accountability:
Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale
Collaboration:
Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity