Livelihood Specialist

About Aid Gate Organization “AGO”

Aid Gate Organization (AGO) is an independent, nonpartisan, national organization in Iraq whose history goes back to 2014 with the beginning of ISIL’s occupation in Iraq. At that time and throughout the mass conflicts occurring from 2014 onwards, ISIL groups took control of large swathes of the country, including Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Anbar, and parts of Diyala. This period witnessed an unprecedented wave of displacement for people who lived in these areas in addition to extreme human rights violations. With the Iraqi government, unable to provide much-needed, widespread assistance, many international organizations entered the country to facilitate a response. In doing so, local community members were actively recruited to assist in the movement and return of displaced peoples, while providing them with emergency life-saving assistance to meet their basic needs. Since 2014, AGO has been working untiringly to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities for the implementation of whole-of-community resilience-building measures in Iraq. Today AGO is functional in Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, and the Nineveh governorates, with 50–150 employees, depending on the situation in the region. We are currently working on expanding our operations into the Anbar governorate as well as southern Iraq through proven programs to rebuild the lives of men, women, children, and refugees IDPs, minorities, ethnic groups and persons with disabilities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Aid Gate Organization (AGO) is seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual to fill the position of Livelihood Specialist. As a Livelihood Specialist, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring livelihood programs aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for vulnerable communities. Key responsibilities include conducting needs assessments, providing technical expertise on income-generating activities and vocational training, establishing partnerships with local stakeholders, monitoring project progress, and contributing to proposal development and fundraising efforts. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in economics, development studies, or a related field, along with proven experience in livelihood programming, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities. This role presents an exciting opportunity to drive sustainable livelihood initiatives that empower communities and promote economic resilience

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Design, implement, and monitor livelihood programs aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for vulnerable communities.
2. Conduct assessments to identify livelihood needs and develop tailored strategies to address them effectively.
3. Provide technical expertise and guidance on income-generating activities, vocational training, and entrepreneurship development.
4. Establish partnerships with local stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations, to support livelihood initiatives.
5. Train and build the capacity of staff and community members on livelihood-related topics, such as financial literacy and market analysis.
6. Monitor project progress, evaluate outcomes, and prepare reports documenting achievements and challenges.
7. Ensure compliance with donor requirements, project objectives, and organizational policies in all livelihood interventions.
8. Contribute to the development of proposals and fundraising efforts to sustain and expand livelihood programs.
9. Stay abreast of best practices, innovations, and trends in livelihood development to inform program design and implementation.
10. Advocate for the rights and interests of vulnerable groups in livelihood-related policies and initiatives.
11. Foster community participation and ownership in livelihood projects through participatory approaches and community mobilization.
12. Represent the organization in relevant forums, conferences, and networks related to livelihoods and economic empowerment.
13. Any other task will be handled to him/her by the supervisor.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills

COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, development studies, business administration, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience (4 years) working in livelihoods programming, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to design and implement effective livelihood strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Good in English (spoken and written); fluency in Arabic.

 AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC “PROFESSIONAL” COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated understanding of livelihood approaches, value chain analysis, and market-based interventions.
• Ability to effectively manage projects, budgets, and resources to achieve desired outcomes.
• Commitment to principles of gender equality, inclusion, and community participation in program design and implementation.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work under pressure in challenging environments.

Interested applicants must send their most recent: 

1. CV
2. Cover Letter

To recruitment@agediraq.org , Subject line must read: Livelihood Specialist 

Note:

• Applications not meeting the specified minimum requirements may not be considered.
• The CVs received after the closing date may not be considered.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview that may include a written test of communication and writing skills.

Due to the nature of AGO work activities, AGO demand its employee to have the highest discretion and flexibility qualities. AGO can anytime according to the needs of his mission, and change the work location of his employee. AGO can at any time update tasks on this Job Description according to the evolution of the program or strategy changes. The above-listed tasks are not exhaustive, the employee can be asked to undertake other tasks by the employer according to the competencies, to work over settings time.

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline.