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International has an exciting opportunity for a Country Director to join our Country Office in. Job Title, Reports To, Regional Director, MENAEE Work Pattern, On-site Location, Erbil, Contract Length, Permanent Grade, Executive L. Explicit requirements include Fluency in English Desirable.
Last checked: 2 hours ago
Closing date: Wednesday, 1 July 2026
Country: Iraq
Duty station: Iraq
Contract type: Executive
Grade: Not specified
Applicant eligibility: Not explicit in source
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Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Country Director to join our Country Office in Iraq.
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
People and Organisation
Programme Development and Management
Representation, Communications and Advocacy
Financial and Admin Management
Audit and Corporate Governance compliance
Fundraising
Safety & Security Management
Other
Experience and Skills
Essential
Desirable
Education and Qualifications
Essential
Values in Practice
Accountability:
Ambition:
Collaboration:
Creativity:
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
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.
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