Job Title: Deputy Chief of Party II – Iraq Civic Engagement Activity

Job Location: Erbil, Iraq

Reports to: Chief of Party 

Salary Grade: 12

*This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.

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, governance, microfinance and peacebuilding. 

Since 2014, CRS has served more than 350,000 people across Iraq through six offices with over 100 staff. CRS centralizes localization and partnerships in its programming, and maintains strong networks with Civil Society Organizations, government, INGOs and other key international and national stakeholders throughout Iraq, including in Anbar, Baghdad, Duhok, Kirkuk and Ninewa governorates. CRS works together with diverse communities to strengthen the country’s institutions and local governance, restore basic services and increase citizen engagement, and support the most vulnerable to live in peaceful, resilient, and dignified communities.

 Job Summary:

Pending a successful application and donor approval, as Deputy Chief of Party I, you will provide overall technical oversight and management of USAID ICEA project, and act on behalf of the Chief of Party, as needed. The proposed program will foster a more politically engaged citizenry in Iraq, enhancing trust and participation in the country’s democratic processes. This activity seeks to elevate civic literacy, empower citizens to actively engage and contribute to discussions on issues of concern and to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in the democratic processes. This includes fostering awareness of governmental processes, promoting access to accurate media content, facilitating increased engagement with government entities at various levels, and empowering citizens to participate in public life. The expected result is a more resilient and participatory democracy in Iraq, with a particular emphasis on empowering marginalized groups. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise key technical aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the anticipated ICEA project. Serve as a point of contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed. 
• Provide technical oversight and coordination for project inception and refinement, implementation, learning, and adaptation. Ensure that local and global best practices pertaining to governance, citizen’s engagement, and information dissemination are integrated into and maintained throughout the project.
• Manage key functions of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely, high-quality, and technically sound results. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program and operations leads. Contribute to ensuring the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
• Effectively manage team members, especially regarding team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff. 
• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles. 
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and recommend trainings and technical assistance. Facilitate learning and experience sharing between partners, as well as with other stakeholders.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.