About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary 

Mercy Corps works in fragile and transitional contexts where conflict, disaster, or economic collapse create both urgent needs and opportunities to support more secure, productive, and just communities. We provide rapid emergency relief in times of crisis and help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks. Through community-led and market-driven initiatives, we promote sustainable, locally owned change.

Since 1989, Mercy Corps has implemented a wide range of humanitarian and development programs across the Middle East. In Iraq, we have worked across all 18 governorates since 2003, delivering programming that meets immediate needs and fosters long-term recovery. More than one-third of our efforts have focused on supporting refugees and internally displaced persons. Our current strategy prioritizes working with civil society, public institutions, and private sector partners to strengthen the resilience of conflict-affected communities. We focus on:

1. delivering a relief-to-resilience pathway grounded in conflict management and civil society development;
2. enabling displaced and vulnerable populations to meet their own needs through dignified humanitarian responses; and
3. empowering youth, particularly adolescents, as leaders and changemakers.

With support from the World Bank and in partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Environment, Mercy Corps Iraq is launching a strategic initiative to establish a Multi-Stakeholder Climate Alliance (MCA). This platform will bring together government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen Iraq’s national climate action through inclusive dialogue, coordinated planning, and evidence-based advocacy. The MCA initiative includes the creation of a Steering Committee, task forces, and a participatory engagement process based on Mercy Corps’ CATALYSE methodology.

The Program Assistant will play a key role in supporting the implementation of this initiative by providing administrative, logistical, and communication support to ensure smooth coordination, documentation, and execution of project activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Administrative & Logistical Support

• Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, conferences, and bilateral consultations—including venue booking, materials preparation, and participant coordination.
• Support with travel and logistics arrangements for team members, stakeholders, and participants.
• Maintain organized project documentation including attendance sheets, workshop minutes, and event materials.

Operational Coordination

• Help manage schedules and calendars for the project team and key MCA events.
• Follow up with participants on invitations, confirmations, and post-event documentation.
• Support procurement processes related to project activities (e.g., supplies, printing, services).

Communication & Reporting

• Prepare and translate official correspondence, invitations, and meeting notes (Arabic–English if required).
• Assist the Program Manager and Climate Consultant in compiling regular project progress updates and reports.
• Support data entry, formatting, and editing of deliverables including reports, ToRs, and briefing notes.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain and update the MCA stakeholder contact database.
• Provide courteous and professional support to external partners and stakeholders engaging with the MCA.
• Help collect participant feedback from events and contribute to lessons-learned documentation.

Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A 

Reports Directly To: Climate and WASH advisor

Works Directly With: Climate and WASH advisor and Program Consultant

Knowledge and Experience 

• Minimum 2 years of experience in an administrative, program support, or coordination role—preferably with an NGO, donor agency, or UN project.
• Demonstrated experience supporting field-based or multistakeholder programs (climate, governance, development, or humanitarian preferred).
• Good organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style.
• Ability to work independently under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with digital collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Teams, Google Drive) is an advantage.
• Fluency in Arabic (required); basic working knowledge of English (required). Kurdish is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in public administration, environmental studies, social sciences, or a related field preferred but not required.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a technical advisory and training capacity and will also have an ability to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful information. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is essential, as is an impeccable, professional standard of M&E and reporting and a willingness and ability to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures. Multi-tasker with the proven ability to organize and prioritize competing priorities. Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied experiences and work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines, The MEL Manager must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps project sites

Living /Environmental Conditions

This position is based in Baghdad, Iraq. Travel within Iraq is required to support Mercy Corps Iraq’s offices and programs. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Successful candidates should meet the education and experience requirements in the position descriptions for this vacancy.

S/he must be self- motivated, creative, tolerant, and able to work in difficult, stressful environments and follow Mercy Corps procedures. S/he must respect diversity and gender equality at the workplace.

Interested candidates can Apply Here

ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVs SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY Jun 29, 2025

Potential candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a potential interview. Any documents submitted will remain with Mercy Corps and will not be returned to candidates.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply for This Position.  Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global Impact.

Mercy Corps Iraq ensures a safe and inclusive working environment for women and men through field security training and measures to provide secure working arrangements on-site and in the office.