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.
Principal Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership
• Provide vision and direction for the Iraq country programme
• Effectively lead a high performing SMT to deliver against strategy and to model behaviours and values expected of staff
• Take responsibility for the leadership and management of staff and programme in Iraq
• Ensure ongoing, current analysis of the national socio-economic, security and political situation in country
• Support the development of the Country Strategy and ensure ongoing review of progress against key country and organisational level objectives, indicators and targets
• Ensure that the focus of the organisation remains on the rights and needs of children
• Contribute to regional and global knowledge and learning
People and Organisation
• Ensure that Save the Children attracts and retains high calibre staff
• Pro-actively develop and coach staff to optimise their potential in pursuit of Save the Children s objectives
• Ensure effective implementation of HR policies and procedures at country level, in line with HR policies, procedures and guidelines, and local labour law
• Ensure consistent implementation of strong performance management systems throughout the country team
• Foster a collegial, supportive and respectful culture within the Iraq team
• Support and build a High Performing Senior Management Team and ensure strong collaboration
• Promote a harmonious team culture, and manage challenges constructively and positively
• Drive internal work on inclusivity and acceptance (e.g. related to gender) and apply zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and harassment
Programme Development and Management
• Lead the Country Office team in improving KPI performance and achieving the 70% green target
• Ensure programme interventions are in line with technical best practice and emerging national policies as well as with country and strategic objectives, strategies, policies and approaches
• Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation systems are implemented in line with policies, systems and guidelines
• Ensure that programme learning is effectively captured and communicated
• Preparing for and implementing rapid and effective responses to major emergencies affecting children, including building relationships with key humanitarian and development decision-makers and partners in-country
• Leading operational and programmatic adjustments in response to the ongoing financial, political, and potentially security-related crisis in Iraq
• Inspire and promote innovation across the Country Office
Representation, Communications and Advocacy
• Develop and maintain good relations with Members and their donors
• Represent Save the Children s interests in Iraq including Government Institutions, UN agencies, EU and donor delegations, international & local NGOs
• Play an active role in the INGO Forum
• Ensure the timely provision of internal and external communications material as required
• Develop and adapt media, advocacy and campaign strategies and products that address key local child right s issues and contribute to global advocacy objectives
Financial and Admin Management
• Ensure effective financial budgeting and management systems, processes and controls are in place and are fully compliant with operating standards and local legal requirements
• Ensure effective Save the Children and donor compliant procurement and asset management systems, processes and controls are in place
• Ensure that partner organisations are assessed in relation to financial management and governance standards and are supported to address capacity weaknesses
Audit and Corporate Governance compliance
• Ensure compliance with all host government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, fraud etc
• Ensure internal and external audits are undertaken in a timely and efficient manner in line with policy and donor and host government requirements
• Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits of operations and take appropriate actions where necessary
• Support advancement of risk and compliance priorities as highlighted via Global Assurance audits and internal reviews
Fundraising