Project Director / Qaraqosh

Working environment

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a faith based International NGO that has been working in Iraq for the past eight years. Our mission is to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS Iraq belongs to JRS Middle East and North Africa Regional Office coordinating the work in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. In 2022, twelve people work in the CO and JRS Iraq runs programmes mostly in Qaraqosh, Sharya and Sinuni for an approximate total of 150 staff members.

General Purpose of the Position 

The Protection & Education Director ensures the effective management of programs at the JRS. S-he implements activities on time and within budget in coordination with country office staff. S.He ensures good relations with the served population and represents JRS Iraq at the local level. S-he understands the importance of the collaboration with other JRS Iraq’s program.

S/he works closely with Country Director (CD), Assistant Country Directors (ACD), Projector Directors in Sharya & Sinuni, Country Programmes and Grants Officer (CPGO), Human resources Officer (HRO), Finance Officer (FO) and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&EO).

Main Responsibilities of the Position

1. Implementation and Supervision of Protection activities

a) Coordinate Family Visitors, follow-up, and related interventions (cash, food, and NFI distributions)

b) Implement and respect the criteria that have been set up to identify the most vulnerable families.

c) Act as JRS protection focal point in Qaraqosh

d) Represent JRS in the coordination meeting, if any, with agreement of the Country Director can take the lead in organising NGOs coordination meeting.

e) Ensure that all staff are familiar with and respect the JRS spirit and JRS Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding and PSEAH policies, and other relevant interagency and internal policies.

f) Supervise the Women and Community Group Coordinator to strengthen protection through community education campaigns, awareness sessions, and other initiatives.

g) Make sure that JRS is engaged with communities directly and create awareness on human rights, GBV, child protection, and other protection related topics.

h) Contribute to JRS Advocacy enriching it with issues faced by “minorities”.

2. Collaboration with MHPSS activities

a) Work in collaboration with the Projector Director of MHPSS IRQ 04 for the necessary training, supervision etc.

b) Coordinate with IRQ 04 the planning, general organization etc. of MHPSS support to Protection and Education

3. Project Management

a) Manage project activities and workflow with a special focus on Protection and Education components of the project (Objectives A and B)

b) Plan with the APD and Coordinators to ensure that project activities (Objectives A-B-C) outlined in the PRM and JRS project proposals (Objectives A-B-C) are implemented and delivered on time or ahead of time and within budget.

c) Accurately monitor spending with the assistance of the project accountant

d) Supervise project staff, including the Assistant Director Protection & Education, to ensure that each is doing their duty—e.g., guards, education coordinator, etc.

e) With the assistance of the APD, collect and consolidate data and implementation updates on project activities to ensure timely reporting (monthly, six monthly, annual, or otherwise) in collaboration with the Country Office

f) Ensure effective collaboration with the MHPSS project (IRQ 04) maintain good relations with the MHPSS Director and staff.

g) Assume ultimate responsibility for all project resources—accountability regarding cash, inventory, vehicles, and assets—IRQ 10 equipment and supplies at the JRS Community Centre and the JRS offices,

h) Manage short leave requests and confirm with the Country Office prior to approving longer leave requests.

i) Immediately report any concerns (security, HR, finance, etc) to the Country Office—Country Director and/or Assistant Director, Country HR, and Country Finance Officer as applicable. 

4. Support programming work of JRS at the Country Level

a) Collaborate with the M&E officer (M&E) and the Country Programs and Grants Officer (CPGO), ensure the follow-up of reporting priorities according to the timeframe.

b) Collaborate with M&E and CPGO, to ensure that the reports are accurate, with appropriate data to measure the indicators and the quality of JRS intervention.

c) Develop and adapt weekly, monthly and quarterly quantitative and qualitative reporting tools and provide support to field-based staff in their use.

d) Act as resource person to any quantitative or qualitative donor reporting on programme level.

e) In collaboration with Country Director and other departments, contribute to the project proposal ideas. 

5. Attentive of the security of the base

a) Organise the work of the watchmen and make sure that Qaraqosh office is a safe place.

b) Attention to the security situation of the area, Qaraqosh and the visited villages (Karemless, etc.).

c) Maintain relations with the local security forces, the security officers of other NGOs.

d) Participate to the Security Meeting if any, covering the area.

6. Collaboration with Country and Regional Office

a) Works closely with other staff in the Country Office to fulfil key functions and to ensure successful operations.

b) Attends regular team meetings, planning meetings, and workshops as required.

c) Maintains contact with the Regional Protection Officer & Education Officer for support and sharing of any updates.

7. Public Relations

a) Contribute to building strong contacts with local authorities, Church representatives.

b) Maintain contacts with NGOs working in Qaraqosh and in the surrounding villages.

c) Keep updated contact information on local and national NGOs and civil society organisations, as well as on village mukhtars and other public authorities and leaders.

d) Be available for media request when needed.

8. Reporting 

a) Prepare and submit data for required reports -monthly reports, quarterly – and update them as required by the Country Director and/or Program Officer.

b) Follow-up the beneficiary’s situation, and report when you notice a change (positive or negative) to the appropriate person.

c) Collect some stories, pictures that might be insightful for others. 

Availability

Undertakes any other duties as assigned by the Country Director that are within the ambit of the position.

• At least 3 years of relevant working experience in Project Management or working in humanitarian field.
• Know JRS code of conduct and put into practice.
• Driven by a spirit of benevolence and teamwork.
• Proven managerial experience, ability to work in subsidiarity, entrusting and empowering the coordinators.
• Proven understanding of the security aspect of the humanitarian work in Ninewa Plain
• Good organizational skills, with a sense of priorities
• Strong motivation to serve internally displaced persons and returnees according to the values and self-understanding of JRS.
• Good interpersonal and facilitations skills with the ability to manage team to reach consensus on complex and/or divisive issues.
• Fluent written and spoken English, Arabic is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft365TM applications, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams, as well as in KoboCollect or other humanitarian data gathering platforms or software.
• Reliability and confidentiality
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to perform under pressure. 

Suitably qualified candidates are to submit their CV accompanied by a cover letter explaining why they are suitable for this position and how they can contribute to the mission of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in this position. Both the CV and the cover letter should be in English.

Applications are to be sent by email to the Human Resources Officer [email protected] marked Project Director/Qaraqosh in the subject line.

CVs not accompanied by a motivation letter or without the title of the position in the subject line will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview.