Operations Consultant – Iraq

Operations Consultant – Iraq

Organization	Institute on Governance (IOG)
Location	Iraq (with possibility of travel to other provinces and districts)
Terms	Up to 160 working days assigned over a period of 10 months
Anticipated starting date	January 15, 2024
Reporting to	Project Manager and International Expert
Eligible nationalities	This assignment is for Iraqi citizens
Description of the assignment	Service contract to support and implement efficiency and quality in event planning and logistics, including oversight of scheduling, transportation, accommodations, catering, and on-site services, managing financial transactions, allowances distribution, vendor contracts, and seamless communication, as well as handling the procurement of equipment and supplies using technology for efficient planning and documentation.

Background

IOG is currently implementing the “Citizen Centricity and Participation” project, which aims to proactively implement actionable insights obtained from a previous assessment. The primary goal of this initiative is to enhance the quality of citizen-centric service delivery and increase citizen engagement at the local level, especially in public projects. The ultimate outcome aspires to cultivate governance that is more comprehensive, streamlined, and responsive.

 

Objective

We’re searching for a capable Operations Consultant to work on “Citizen Centricity and Participation” project in Iraq. This assignment strives to improve citizen engagement and service delivery in specific administrative regions. The project’s objectives are twofold:

• Enhance the current citizen complaint management system at the local level, making it more responsive and accessible.
• Facilitate citizen engagement in public projects, leading to informed decision-making and project planning at the local level.

 

Scope of work

The Operations Consultant is expected to ensure control in event planning and logistics, manage allowances distribution and financial transactions, uphold financial guidelines, facilitate seamless communication before and during events, oversee vendor contracts, support procurement, and utilize technology for efficient event planning and documentation.

Specific tasks will be as follows:

• Ensure maximum efficiency and quality control in event planning and logistics management, covering scheduling, transportation, accommodations, catering, and on-site services.
• Coordinate the distributing allowances to event attendees, managing financial transactions, and ensuring that spending aligns with budgetary goals.
• Collect, meticulously maintain, validate, and ensure the reliability of invoices and receipts in line with IOG and GIZ financial guidelines.
• Facilitate seamless communication and support during events by liaising with interpreters, translators, and other service providers and oversee the quality and reliability of services while negotiating and managing contracts and agreements with vendors.
• Maintain constant communication with team members and stakeholders through emails and phone calls to confirm logistics, provide event information, and address attendee inquiries.
• Support equipment and supplies procurement, sourcing, negotiating, and managing inventory efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Utilize technology tools for efficient event planning, communication, and documentation.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all event-related transactions, agreements, and communication.
• Perform additional administrative and logistics tasks as needed to support project activities.

 

 

Compensation

Compensation is based on the standard working day in Iraq, comprising 8 hours according to local practice. The anticipated daily rate ranges from US $180.00 to US $200.00, but the final rate will be decided based on qualifications and experience. This daily rate covers allowances for personal car usage, local transportation, internet, phone, computer, and all daily expenses, acknowledging the challenges posed by the assignment’s location.

This service contract operates on a daily rate payment structure. The agreement entails compensation for work completed, without fringe benefits or paid allowable time off. The terms of this service agreement adhere to GIZ’s financial guidelines and regulations for Grant Agreements.

Invoices and timesheets shall be submitted and duly signed by the Operations Consultant. Timesheets must specify the type of work performed, connected to the designated project task, and the daily hours worked, excluding commuting time to work locations within the home-base province.

The salary is based on a maximum of 160 working days for a 10-month period.

 

Reimbursables

Reimbursable expenses pertain to actual costs incurred, aligning with financial guidelines and the travel policy in Iraq. Expenses for hotel accommodation, meals, and transportation within Iraq will be reimbursed when traveling to provinces other than one’s home province. Claims for reimbursement must be accompanied by valid receipts, with hotel receipts submitted promptly after payment.

For domestic flights, air transportation expenses should be booked via the most economical and direct route, with economy class as the standard option. Boarding passes or airline ticket stubs must be attached to flight expense claims. In the case of e-tickets, the invoice and boarding passes, if available, should be included in the expense claim.

Adhering to GIZ’s financial guidelines, expenses exceeding US$1,000.00 require the collection of a minimum of three offers for comparison, ensuring a cost-effective choice that provides optimal value for money. It is the contractor’s responsibility to obtain these offers and seek approval. The selected option proceeds upon receiving endorsement from the supervisor.

 

Contractual Conditions

Successful candidate shall be contracted by a local service provider of the IOG. Hence, he/she has no employment relationship with IOG.

 

About Institute on Governance (IoG)

Founded in 1990, the Institute on Governance (IOG) is an independent, Canada-based not-for-profit public interest institution with its head office in Ottawa and an office in Toronto.  Our mission is ‘advancing better governance in the public interest’, which we accomplish by exploring, developing and promoting the principles, standards and practices which underlie good governance in the public sphere, both in Canada and abroad.

The IOG’s vision is to be the pre-eminent, independent Canadian source of knowledge, research and advice on governance and its continuous improvement.

The IOG works with a wide range of clients and partners, including governments, communities, business and public organizations to assess their governance and to develop programs for improvement.  While much of our activity takes place in our home base in Canada, we also work extensively with international partners and governments.

 

 

Qualifications, specialized experience and additional competencies

• Having a diploma degree is essential. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, development or any other related discipline would be an asset.
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in organizing events with different stakeholders with sound organizational skills: planning, evaluating and problem-solving, overseeing logistics within budget and scope of work.
• Having previous involvement in projects supported by GIZ, along with familiarity with GIZ financial and procurement management guidelines, would be an asset.
• Excellent communication, networking, coordination and facilitation skills.
• Fluency in Arabic language is required with proficiency in English written and oral.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding/local expertise on the operations and logistic to support development projects in Iraq, including ensuring submission of staff time sheets and attendance sheets.
• Sound experience in following up on logistical documents such as contracts, invoices from the field.
• Willing to travels to different districts/provinces in Iraq as needed.
• Excellent communication, networking, coordination and ability to build trust.
• Must be detail oriented with strong analytical skills and curious about how things work.
• Able to build a rapport quickly with people at all levels.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding/local expertise on the civil society issues and organizational dynamics in Iraq.

 

We welcome potential candidates to apply not later than January 10, 2024 using the following link:

https://forms.gle/DRBZ1r8kyetrzMNY7 

Please include in your CV a description of how your qualifications and experiences match the job criteria.

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidate will receive communication regarding the subsequent steps in the selection procedure.