About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

In partnership with Caritas Iraq, CRS Iraq is supporting conflict-affected people to live in dignity through upgrades to shelter conditions and improved access to water and sanitation facilities, educational and psychosocial (PSS) support for children, livelihoods support, social cohesion, and multi-purpose cash assistance.

Job Summary:

As a lead for the Education project team in Kirkuk governorate, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating, and reporting on, all project activities in target schools across Kirkuk governorate advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. You will lead project implementation in Kirkuk by providing technical guidance and advice to staff and working directly with Directorate of Education (DoE), school staff and community members. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all Education project activities in Kirkuk, as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, and in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Lead on the logistical and administrative implementation of education project activities when needed, including preparing purchasing and payment documents.

• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

• Represent the organization with INGO working groups, UN, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors for EDU.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Degree in International Relations or in the field of Education would be a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of Education and for an
• Additional experience may substitute for some

Required Languages – Written and spoken proficiency in English and Arabic required. Proficiency in Kurdish a plus.

Office Based- Applicant from Kirkuk are preferred to apply.

Travel -Position is based in Kirkuk with regular travel in Kirkuk governorate. Must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time in the project areas (Kirkuk, Duhok, Ninewa, Erbil, Fallujah).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities!

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Work experience in the field of Education, with work experience in Kirkuk strongly preferred.
• Staff supervision experience.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant
• Familiarity with child safeguarding

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none) Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Direct supervisory: Education Project Manager, field staff from other governorate teams, Ninewa/Dohuk Head of Office, finance and admin staff, Deputy Head of Programs, Head of Programs

External: Partners including Caritas Iraq, local authorities including DOEs, coordination meetings, community leaders, Head Teachers and Teachers, other NGO and UN actors implementing education programs, Education Sub-National Cluster Lead.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please submit your CV as a PDF, other formats rather than PDF will consider corrupted and will lead to neglect application.

You can apply via the link below:

https://crsiraqcareers.crs.org/job?id=227