Iraq: Basic Needs and Livelihoods Coordinator

Background/IRC Summary: The mission of the IRC is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC serves people forced to flee from war, conflict and natural disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities.

Working in coordination with the humanitarian community, IRC currently addresses the needs of war-affected Syrians from several operational bases in the region. Our activities focus primarily on the supply of vital medications and medical equipment, non-food items, water and sanitation, education and child protection and form part of an over-arching humanitarian response in the region that seeks to assist refugees, IDPs and war-affected Syrians survive conflict and displacement.

In northeast Syria the IRC implements health, basic needs, livelihoods, women’s protection, and protection programming.

Job Overview/Summary: The Basic Needs and Livelihoods Coordinator leads the IRC’s efforts to meet conflict-affected people’s basic food and living needs, reduce negative coping strategies and increase income and assets in northeast Syria. This includes cash, vouchers, food, NFI, livelihoods and agriculture programming. Basic needs and livelihoods programming is a core part of the IRC’s strategy over the next four years with an expected budget of more than $14m. The coordinator will set and manage a clear direction, drive forward implementation and ensure robust and effective management and oversight to best meet the needs and aspirations of local communities and accountability to stakeholders.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction, leadership and overall technical and management support to basic needs and livelihoods programming in northeast Syria, ensuring it is needs-based, context-appropriate, responsive and operationally feasible
• Ensure smooth management, implementation and integration of project work plans and budgets (budget forecasting, development of spending plans and budget follow-up), ensuring best use of resources across activities
• Ensure projects and activities are of high technical quality, meet humanitarian standards, mainstream protection, align with IRC’s Outcomes and Evidence Framework, and respond to community and monitoring feedback
• Plan, organize, recruit, supervise and develop the team and individuals needed to achieve program goals and maximize national ownership and leadership
• Ensure that all internal and external reporting requirements are met, that reports are of a high quality and are submitted on time
• Ensure timely procurement of supplies and materials in compliance with donor and IRC rules and regulations through timely planning, specifications development and collaborative relations with Supply Chain colleagues
• Proactively identify, assess, monitor and implement measures to reduce or control risks that may impact program delivery, quality or compliance
• Engage and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders and coordination structures relevant to northeast Syria in Iraq, Turkey and locally including NGO, UN, technical and government actors
• Ensure alignment and coherence with IRC country and regional strategy, local Health and Protection programs, and cross-border responses from other hubs

Job Requirements

· Degree in economics, social science, public health, nutrition or related field, advanced degree preferred;

· Minimum four years experience implementing similar programming in an emergency or complex emergency context;

· Strong technical knowledge in at least one of food security, livelihoods or cash/voucher programming;

• Strong team and people leadership, management, organizational and development skills;
• Strong program and budget management skills including planning and reporting across multiple grants;
• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties;
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure effectively and productively;
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

Working Environment

The position will be based in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, currently a low security risk and a comfortable environment. Individual housing will be provided. Frequent travel required, access and security permitting.

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC leading the way from harm to home.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

http://chm.tbe.taleo.net/chm03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=13524