Country Director, Iraq

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Country Director to join our Country Office in Iraq.

• Job Title: Country Director, Iraq
• Reports To: Regional Director, MENAEE
• Work Pattern: On-site
• Location: Erbil, Iraq
• Contract Length: Permanent
• Grade: Executive
• Language Requirements: English essential, Arabic desirable
• People Management: manager of multiple teams; 6 SMT direct reports
• Budget Responsibility: $11.7 million
• Remit: Country Office, National

Team Purpose

Save the Children currently operates a significant portfolio of programmes across 14 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe region. A large portion of these programmes consist of responses to large humanitarian emergencies (Yemen, Ukraine, Türkiye, OPT and Syria). We also work in countries facing other humanitarian and development challenges (Lebanon, Iraq, Kosovo and others).

Save the Children’s Iraq Country Office continues to operate in a complex environment shaped by a fragile recovery from years of conflict, ongoing humanitarian needs, and the fragile security situation in the region. Iraq is navigating a complex transition from a humanitarian context toward a humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) Nexus approach. While some progress has been made in stabilization and recovery, humanitarian needs remain acute. An estimated 1.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain in protracted displacement, children and families in camp settings, refugee returnees, and those in underserved rural and peri-urban areas continue to require urgent support across multiple sectors, including education, protection, health, WASH, and livelihoods. In recent years, Iraq has contended with the aftermath of conflict with ISIS, mass displacement, rising poverty, a fragile economy, and increasingly complex protection risks for children. These challenges are compounded by a tightening global funding environment, which is placing increasing pressure on the Country Office abilities to reach the most vulnerable children and families across the country.

Save the Children has been active in Iraq since 1991, delivering humanitarian, recovery, and development programs in Federal Iraq (FI) and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) with sectors of intervention focusing on Education, Child Protection, Climate Resilience and Equality & Social Inclusion. SC prioritizes marginalized groups, including children with disabilities, those affected by armed conflict, Syrian refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), working across 12 governorates: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, Diyala, Kirkuk, Baghdad, Salah Al-Din, Anbar, Misan, Anbar and Ninewa. The Iraq CO has a current portfolio of USD 11.7 million with a workforce of approximately 54 staff, where a priority is put on working with partners across all areas of intervention.

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

• Lead the team in responding to the new business opportunities; ensure development of high-quality concept notes and proposals in line with the approved humanitarian response plan
• Ensure effective collaboration with members to preposition the CO for upcoming funding opportunities
• Ensure donor landscape assessment and in coordination with members develop and implement donor engagement strategy and plans
• Ensure full compliance with Member and donor requirements in relation to awards secured for the country programme
• Network actively and play a lead role in management level dialogue with members, donors and other INGOs on accessing and managing awards
• Represent Save the Children at donor events

Safety & Security Management

• Develop, establish and manage Iraq programme security plans and procedures in line with policies, systems and guidelines
• Maintain, document and communicate up to date analyses of the changing security context
• Ensure all staff are provided sufficient security-related information and are supported to safeguard their own security

Other

• Any other duties as assigned by the Regional Director

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Substantial experience of building, leading and developing a diverse team of senior staff to deliver on both development and humanitarian programs
2. Experience working with large, complex donors to secure and/or manage new large-scale and/or competitive funding
3. Experience of managing a humanitarian crisis situation requiring quick changes to priorities and rapid action to respond
4. Excellent understanding and experience of risk, programme, financial and operational management processes
5. Experience of successfully leading change in an organisation
6. Experience of building effective personal networks at a senior level
7. Experience of managing security in a complex and rapidly changing environment
8. Experience of solving complex issues
9. Good understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development
10. Commitment to Save the Children values
11. 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

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found at SCI Careers. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2-3 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our Recruitment Process

• Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
• Three-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
• Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage
• If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-Harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.