Project Manager

Position Title: Project Manager – Our Voices Our Rights Project  

Reports To: Country Director (for technical oversight) and Senior Program Director (for project management and administrative supervision)

Location: Dohuk

About Heartland Alliance International

Heartland Alliance International’s (HAI) mission is to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. HAI envisions a world in which those whose rights have been violated are safe and empowered to actively engage in their communities and be at the forefront of social change.  In Iraq, HAI provides holistic services focusing on psychosocial support, legal aid, violence prevention, livelihoods strengthening, and social cohesion to diverse vulnerable populations.

Position Summary

The Project Manager will oversee the Our Voices Our Rights program to support transitional justice for minorities, including survivors, from the Turkmen, Shabak, and Christian communities that were targeted by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). This will include overseeing capacity building for three local subgrantee partners, coordinating activities delivered by Synergy for Justice, an international partner, and overseeing three key staff including legal and advocacy advisors.

This position requires frequent travel to project sites in the Ninewa Governorate and high-level engagement with government stakeholders including courts. In addition to strong project management experience and skills, the project manager must have a background in survivor-centered, trauma-informed and do-no-harm approaches to engaging with survivors of sexual violence and other atrocities and must have experience and cultural competence working with the Turkmen, Shabak, and/or Christian communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties of the Project Manager include:

·         Provide strategic oversight and leadership to the project technical advisors (legal and advocacy), ensuring compliance with Iraqi laws, policy, and the successful delivery of legal services.

·         Supervise the Advocacy Advisor, supporting the implementation of advocacy campaigns and strategies in collaboration with three partner organizations representing the interests and priorities of the Shabak, Turkmen, and Christian communities.

·         Supervise two Legal Advisors on accessing reparations under the Yazidi [Female] Survivors’ Law and compensation under No. 20 Compensating the Victims of Military Operations, Military Mistakes and Terrorist Actions as part of partner NGO efforts to support transitional justice measures.

·         Support the international partner organization in delivering trainings in Iraq by coordinating the necessary approvals from relevant government agencies to ensure compliance for training government employees. This includes obtaining formal permissions, securing required vetting of participants and trainers, and ensuring adherence to all local legal and regulatory requirements for conducting training activities in-country.

·         Lead project planning, including the development and monitoring of work plans, budgets, and project timelines. Ensure all activities are delivered on time and within the allocated budget, adjusting strategies as needed to meet donor-approved objectives and respond to on-the-ground developments.

·         Collaborate with local and international partners, government officials, and civil society organizations to advocate for legal reforms and protections related to transitional justice and minority rights. Manage relationships with key stakeholders to ensure effective cooperation and coordination.

·         Provide technical support as needed to team members, including the 2 Legal Advisors and Advocacy Advisor, and supervise the implementation of their tasks. Offer capacity-building opportunities and guidance to ensure successful execution of the project’s objectives.

·         Oversee the submission of high-quality reports, briefings, and presentations for donors, government entities, and stakeholders. Ensure that these meet donor requirements and reflect the program’s progress in both narrative and financial terms.

·         Ensure full compliance with donor requirements and local laws, particularly in promoting the protection of vulnerable populations. Adhere to protection principles, including informed consent, survivor-centered approaches, and do-no-harm frameworks.

·         Facilitate trainings and capacity-building initiatives for subgrantee partner organizations on the Yazidi Survivors’ Law and Law 20, and on advocacy strategies. Ensure these initiatives strengthen the skills of local partners and support the delivery of high-quality services.

·         Travel frequently within Iraq to monitor project implementation, provide technical support, and ensure that activities are being executed in accordance with the project work plan and objectives. This will involve visits to partner organizations, government offices, and other key locations.

·         Lead project implementation and monitoring, regularly assessing progress against the project work plan with the project team and partners. Make adjustments as necessary to keep project deliverables and spending on track.

·         Represent HAI in meetings with local NGOs, government officials, donors, and other stakeholders. Advocate for key issues related to transitional justice, reparations, and the civic and political rights of minority populations.

·         Supervise the work of three local NGO implementing partners and three staff members, providing managerial support to ensure successful delivery of project activities. Oversee their reporting processes to ensure sound financial and narrative reporting aligned with HAI and donor expectations.

·         Oversee the financial management of the project, including monitoring expenditures, ensuring compliance with the budget, and working with the director of finance and administration to develop monthly expenditure projections and manage sub-agreements with implementing partners.

·         Foster strong communication and teamwork among the project team and partners, promoting collaboration across diverse cultural, economic, and social backgrounds. Ensure alignment with HAI’s values and objectives.

·         Provide regular updates to senior management on project progress, challenges, and opportunities, ensuring that key issues are flagged and addressed in a timely manner.

Languages

English Proficiency Level Required: Advanced

Arabic Proficiency Level Required: Advanced

·         Bachelor’s degree in law, human rights, international relations, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

·         Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in implementing legal, advocacy, or human rights programs, particularly in conflict or post-conflict settings.

·         Strong knowledge of transitional justice, reparations, and advocacy for civic and political rights, especially in the context of minority populations.

·         Demonstrated understanding of Iraqi legal systems and the political landscape, including knowledge of the Yazidi [Female] Survivors’ Law and Law No. 20 Compensating the Victims of Military Operations, Military Mistakes and Terrorist Actions as well as relevant government entities.

·         Proven experience in project management, including staff supervision, financial management, and partner coordination, with a track record of successful program implementation.

·         Experience in obtaining government permissions for legal and training activities, as well as ensuring compliance with local vetting and regulatory processes.

·         Demonstrated ability to deliver technical trainings and build capacity in legal and advocacy areas, especially in collaboration with local and international partners.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic, with the ability to draft high-quality reports, proposals, and advocacy materials.

·         Experience working with international and local NGOs, and government bodies.

·         Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in high-pressure environments and ensure project activities meet tight deadlines.

·         Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) processes, with an ability to integrate MEL principles into program reporting.

Interpersonal skills

·         Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate about the program clearly to diverse audiences, including donor, legal professionals, and government actors.

·         Empathy and active listening skills, particularly when engaging with vulnerable populations.

·         Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, showing adaptability in high-pressure and sensitive environments.

·         Emotional resilience and professionalism when handling difficult cases or managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Technical skills:

·         Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate different actors from NGOs and government entities to deliver trainings.

·         Strong analytical skills to critically evaluate and deliver on program needs and to develop strategies.

·         Advanced knowledge of the Windows platform, including the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for reporting, documentation, and presentations.

Work conditions

Physical Demands:

The physical demands outlined here reflect the requirements necessary to perform the essential duties of this role, including frequent travel. Reasonable accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.

·         The role requires frequent verbal communication and active listening, particularly in meetings with NGO partners, compensation committee and court, and government offices.

·         While much of the work involves sitting at a desk for computer-based tasks, the role also requires frequent travel, which may include walking, standing, and carrying materials between different locations.

·         The employee may need to lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds, though this will occur infrequently during travel and trainings.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee may be required to travel frequently to insecure and limited-resource environments.

Sometimes the candidate may be required to work for extra hours to deliver emerging unprecedented priorities.

please apply your CV through following link

https://heartlandalliance.bamboohr.com/careers/1132

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back from us within 2-3 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Heartland Alliance is committed to fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of employment and program operation. We make hiring and employment decisions, and deliver all programs, services, and functions, without regard to race, color, age, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws and regulations.