Position type and closing date:

This position is open for both national and non-national who have some time in Iraq on local contracts with a valid residency and work permit.

LWF practices principles of gender equity in staffing and female candidates are therefore particularly encouraged to apply.

The closing date for applications is March 17, 2021

Contract duration: 1 Year 

BACKGROUND:

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of churches in the Lutheran tradition comprising 143 member churches in 79 countries all over the world, representing 70.5 million Christians. The World Service is the internationally recognized humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation, assisting people in need irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or gender. Our partners include Lutheran Churches and their Related Agencies, the European Commission (ECHO), the US Government (BPRM), UNHCR, UNOCHA, with whom we are a key implementing partner.

In line with the Country Strategy 2019 – 2024, LWF Iraq has been focusing on building the resilience of IDPs, host communities, returnees, and refugees through Livelihoods, Quality Services (WASH) and Protection & Social Cohesion. Child protection and gender justice aspects are mainstreamed throughout all projects, ensuring that all activities, based on multi-cultural, multi-religious community led-programing, ultimately contribute to social cohesion. LWF Iraq Program will address discrimination and exclusion and will empower women socially and economically as leaders and decision-makers in their households and communities. For additional information please see https://www.lutheranworld.org/content/iraq

The LWF Iraq is seeking to recruit a Program Coordinator for its Country Program. The expected starting date is April 2021. The position will be based in Duhok with frequent visits to project sites.

Purpose of the position

The LWF Iraq Program Coordinator is responsible for the development and quality delivery of the LWF programs / projects in the country, in compliance with the LWF World Service global policies and guidelines, LWF Iraq country strategy, agreements with donors and partners, and in a timely manner.  The position includes oversight of 6-8 program staff, ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms. The ideal Program Coordinator is a strong team player, able to develop, coach and mentor field team members. S/he is an effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives with strong proposal writing and fundraising skills. 

Under the strategic leadership and guidance of the Country Representative, the Program Coordinator is responsible for managing relationships with local partners and international agencies including UN agencies, local authorities and the donor representatives, thus contributing to the achievement of the LWF World Service program objectives through innovation, program development and displaying expertise in humanitarian programming. The Program Coordinator will particularly be expected to look for opportunities to develop and expand the LWF core programming in Iraq, linking humanitarian projects with rehabilitation and development-oriented activities as appropriate, in response to evolving priorities. 

The Program Coordinator is expected to travel extensively to field sites where LWF has partners and direct interventions in Iraq, where security allows, and to step in as needed to fill gaps in positions that directly report to the Country Representative.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Leadership

• Overall coordination of the program, facilitating relevant and timely support to field-based staff for quality delivery of the LWF projects.
• Promote the profile of LWF through active participation in program focused coordination forums and networks in the country.
• Maintain an analysis of the overall context and use this to inform interventions, adjusting strategic direction and informing strategic decisions accordingly.
• As a member of the Senior Management Team of the Country Program, actively contribute to the achievement of the objectives set out in the country strategy and country annual plan.
• Ensure complementary and close working relationship of the program unit with the finance and logistics units of the Country Program.

Program Management

• Responsible for the planning, supervision, implementation, monitoring, documentation, and evaluation of the LWF projects in Iraq.
• Facilitate learning and capacity building among the program staff.
• Promote participation and collaboration with affected populations, as a central element of accountability commitments and in line with Core Humanitarian Standard.
• Ensure all relevant accountability and technical quality standards are met in all projects under the Country Program.
• Ensure all project interventions completed within the timeframe, budget and are in accordance with the LWF World Service policies and guidelines, and LWF Iraq country strategy.
• Ensure gender, age, disability, and diversity are mainstreamed into implementation.
• Ensure innovation, impact, durable solutions are focused in all program work.
• Ensure partner capacity assessment and facilitate partner capacity building.
• Conduct regular monitoring of projects at sites and provide support to field-based staff.
• Ensure timely, accurate and relevant program/project reports are prepared for submission to donors, Geneva, and other relevant stakeholders according to agreements.
• Ensure attendance at all UNHCR, INGO, and Action by Church Alliance (ACT) coordination meetings pertaining to programs.

Fundraising and Finance

• Develop and update donor mapping, and lead and coordinate development of quality concept notes and proposals for submission to potential donors.
• Actively participate in negotiations with related agencies, UN agencies, EU delegations and other potential partners for humanitarian and development work in Jordan and elsewhere to maximize resource mobilization and diversification.
• Continually monitor the implementation of approved projects within the agreed budgets and timelines and ensure project coordinators review the monthly management accounts (BVA) and provide feedback to Finance in accordance with agreed arrangements.
• As budget holder, ensure expenses fully comply with the LWF local, regional and global finance manual, Logistics manual and donor regulations. 

Human Resources

• Supervise and support the relevant program staff at the country office and in the field.
• Ensure that all staff have clear performance objectives, and that performance appraisal is conducted at agreed regular time intervals.
• Ensure that new program staff are provided with thorough orientation on the programmatic and support aspect of LWF Iraq in general and the project/function to which they are assigned in particular.
• Prioritize staff development and continual learning for staff.

Other

Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Country Representative

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, humanitarian studies, development studies or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Strong skills in writing and communicating in English are highly desirable, as one of the primary responsibilities of the Program Coordinator will be to ensure the quality of documents and reports for external audiences - such as concept notes, project proposals, project reports, and evaluation reports.
• Excellent teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Applicants are required to be uphold the core values of our organization 

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum five years of proven experience in managing and leading program teams in humanitarian and/or development contexts, with proven track record of project acquisition as well as experience in managing projects and supporting program staff through the entire project cycle, from proposal writing, assessment to evaluation.
• Adequate experience with Sustainable Livelihoods programming, including appropriate use of cash and vouchers, WASH and Protection / Psychosocial programming mainstreaming conflict sensitive, rights-based and people-centred empowerment approach, with a focus on peace, reconciliation, social cohesion, and social justice - as these are approaches that are at the core of the way LWF World Service works.
• Good knowledge of cooperation with UNHCR, UNICEF, EU/ECHO and Western donor Government, with an innovative and pragmatic approach is highly desirable. 
• Experience in building program teams in a complex context, coaching and mentoring program staff, and upholding high standards of conduct and performance to build strong operational capacity.
• Strong proposal writing and fundraising skills in order to broaden and diversify funding sources backed by quality program delivery and operational excellence.
• Previous experience in Iraq. 

Professional Standards

• Uphold the core values of the LWF World Service.
• Adhere to the values and principles outlined in the Code of Conduct as well as the Core Humanitarian Standard and relevant LWF policies such as Protection from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, Child Protection and Gender Justice Policy.
• Conduct herself/himself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to LWF and to not jeopardize its operations.

Language Skills

• English: Excellent verbal and written English skills.
• Arabic and Kurdish skills.

Applicants may submit their updated CVs and Cover letter to hr.irq@lutheranworld.org the Deadline is 17/03/2021.

Note below:

• Pleased mention vacancy tittle Program Coordinator in subject box in your email.
• We will be reviewing the CVs on rolling basis.
• Email after the closing date will not be considered.