Head of Mission

Country: Iraq

Location: Erbil

Starting date: 01/09/2013

Duration of the mission: 12 months extendable

Closing date for applications: 23/08/2013

Posting reference:  DIR-DIR-HBE-111

CONTEXT:

Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights.

Handicap International is a not-for-profit organisation with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission.
For more details on the association: http://www.handicap-international.fr/en/s/index.html

JOB CONTEXT:
Within the Middle East programme of HI, the post is responsible of the implementation of all the mission activities and of the representation of HI in Iraq. It is under the line management of the Regional Programme Director, and under the supervision of the Regional Operations Coordination for operational aspects. The post manages a team based in Erbil, and a small satellite office in Missan, with plans to further develop and deploy teams in Southern and Central Iraq within the coming years. The position requires moving in the country and on a regular basis to Amman, where the Middle East regional office is based.
At the moment, HI implements the following projects in Iraq:
• Community Based Mine Risk Education (North and South Iraq)
• Multi stakeholder initiative project to improve access to rehabilitation services in the Kurdistan Region
And future plans include:
• Extension of Community Based Mine Risk Education activities in southern parts of the country after completion of security assessments
• Support to Civil Society projects in North and South Iraq
• Victim Assistance projects in North and South Iraq
• Community-based Rehabilitation project in Kurdistan.

DESCRIPTION:

Challenges and goals:
The main stakes of the post are to engage the mission in an efficient, progressive, cost-effective and responsible growth. The last two years have allowed to strongly stabilise and reinforce the HI presence in the country. The position will have to maintain and reinforce the active presence of Handicap International in Iraq through the most efficient implementation of the projects, and further development of sustainable partnership with local stakeholders.
More precisely, the main stakes are:
• developing Mine Risk Education, Victim Assistance, Community-Based Rehabilitation and Support to Civil Society (DPOs) activities throughout the country;
• ensuring further development of activities in the South Iraq (Missan, Basrah): complementary evaluation missions, projects development, fundraising and set up;
• centrally contribute to the successful fund-raising required for the development of the actions
• elaboration of HI mission multi-annual operational framework, aiming to continue consolidating the mission, and maintain the team dynamics.
• ensuring clear, fruitful, efficient collaboration and joint actions with partners and all relevant stakeholders;
• stabilising the workforce (consistent turnover of local staff until now);
• reinforcing HI team technical capacities;

Activities:
Under the overall supervision of the Regional Programme Director, and under the specific supervision of the Regional Operations Coordinator for operational aspects, the Head of Mission (HoM) in Iraq has the key responsibility to represent Handicap International in the country, and support the implementation of Development and Mine Action activities, including project cycle management, team management, development of new projects, financial supervision and networking, and guiding, with the support of the Middle East Regional Office, the key strategic orientations of the program. Within the framework of HI Middle East Programme and in accordance with the programme’s strategic orientations in the region, he/she is in charge of the management of the mission in Iraq. HoM must also ensure that systems/procedures are in place and being properly implemented that ensure the proper management, well-being and safety of HIF staff and the proper use of HIF resources. HoM is responsible for promoting HIF values and principles and ensuring an organizational culture where HIF core values are embedded, team work is encouraged and all staff feels valued. HoM is responsible for establishing and maintaining good working relationships with host government officials, donors and other partners.
Responsibilities:
- HI representation in the country
- Strategic planning and mission/project development
- Mission management and coordination
- Monitoring and reporting
- Financial, administration, logistics and security management
- Human resources management
- Coordination and liaison with partners and stakeholders

PROFIL:

Mandatory:
Diploma/Master in Management, Development, Humanitarian or Social domain, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International development, International cooperation or other relevant field.
At least 5 years of relevant experience, including 2 years minimum in the humanitarian field and 2 years in coordination or senior management positions involving program strategic planning, monitoring/evaluation and team capacity-strengthening.
Experience of high level representation with donors and ministries.
Experience of management with at least 3 to 4 direct line collaborators (administrative, logistics and project staff). Experience working with multicultural and pluri-disciplinary teams in various sectors.
Excellent skills for team management
Excellent analytical and strategic skills
Mastering Project design, programming, monitoring and evaluation
Excellent planning, organizing and coordination skills
Ability to work in a stressful environment
Capacity to co-ordinate, organise, and transfer knowledge
Complementary:
Master in public policies or disability
Experience in development and emergency contexts
Experience of work in Islamic contexts
Technical background related to Disability, Mine Action, Victim Assistance, Rehabilitation
Reactivity, flexibility and adaptability in all circumstances

LANGUAGE(S):

SPECIFICS:

The post is based in Erbil where security threats are low, but still exist. The main risks are car accidents and health issues, but the unstable political situation in Iraq can have consequences such as blasts and attacks in Northern Iraq, although highly unlikely. Life in Erbil is rather easy and living conditions have drastically improved in the recent past, but at times can become a bit more difficult, mainly for the following reasons:
• For security reasons, social life has been facing some restrictions so far. However, it is possible to go to the gym, go out for dinner at restaurants, or gather with local friends or others NGOs colleagues in private premises, while keeping the required low visibility;
• For security and financial reasons, all expatriates live in a shared house (not more than 4 persons);
Travel within Kurdistan is permitted (after regular assessment of security situation) and the countryside is beautiful; travel outside of Kurdistan to other areas in Iraq is prohibited. Although it will be required to go to Basrah and Missan in the South Iraq from time to time, any movement to Southern Iraq will require prior in depth security analysis and validation by the Regional Programme Director. Central parts of Iraq and “disputed territories” are till now “no go” zones for HI expatriates for security raisons, leading to remote management processes and partnerships. 

CONDITIONS :

Salary: 2300-2500 € gross salary/month + 457 Euros net/month expatriation allowance + 50% of the medical cover taken in charge by HI + repatriation insurance