Project Manager (m/f/d) in Erbil, Iraq

We are looking for a Project Manager (m/f/d) based in Erbil, with extensive travel within northern Iraq, starting from May 2024. Please note that this vacancy is not suitable for family postings.

Who we are
forumZFD supports people involved in violent conflicts on the path to peace and strives to help overcome war and violence. forumZFD is currently working with peace consultants in Germany as well as 12 other countries in Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia. Its Academy for Conflict Transformation offers a learning space for professional, international peace work. Through dialogue events, educational work and campaigns, forumZFD actively advocates civil peace policy. forumZFD is recognized by the German federal government as a member of the Civil Peace Service (CPS) consortium. It finances its work through public and private grants, donations and membership fees.
The forumZFD programme in Iraq aims to promote peaceful coexistence through non-violent conflict transformation to reduce mistrust among the diverse population groups in northern Iraq. Furthermore, it aims to prevent escalation of violence and radicalization of youth affected by conflict as well as promoting the participation of women and youth in decision-making processes to rebuild their communities and strengthen their resilience. The approaches of the forumZFD include peace educational measures, promotion of dialogue and mediation skills, and capacity development.

Our offer
We offer an attractive position with responsibilities for a minimum of two years (with the option of extension) in a growing organization. We also offer participation in qualification and professional development courses (among others, at forumZFD’s Academy for Conflict Transformation), a project-based preparation, regular coaching and, where appropriate, participation in a language course. As the position is based on the German Development Aid Workers Act (EhfG), it is remunerated according to the provisions of this law, including comprehensive social security benefits and financial reintegration assistance upon return. Working for forumZFD, you will be engaged within the innovative field of conflict transformation and peacebuilding through contributing your ideas and skills.

Please find further information about the EhfG on https://www.agdd.de/en/before/development-service-and-ehfg.

Your Tasks and responsibilities
As Project Manager you will support – together with our national Project Managers – forumZFD`s partners, local communities, authorities and key actors to contribute to non-violent conflict transformation at intra- and intercommunal level in order to reduce mistrust within and among the diverse population groups in northern Iraq.
In close cooperation with national counterparts, you will be responsible for planning, implementing, impact monitoring and financial controlling of project activities, focusing on capacity development, initiating and strengthening dialogue processes and enabling local communities and relevant institutions in northern Iraq to acquire skills in peaceful conflict transformation. As Project Manager you will work under the direct supervision of the Country Director (your line manager).

Specific tasks include:

• Conceptualize and implement forumZFD’s project activities in the field of capacity development of local communities and relevant stakeholders geared towards sustainable conflict transformation at community level.
• Support and build the capacities of forumZFD`s partner organizations and other relevant stakeholders to implement peacebuilding measures following conflict-sensitivity standards.
• Develop non-formal, if required formal, extracurricular or recreational activities with peace education elements for youth, women and community leaders in areas of intervention.
• Organize and facilitate trainings, workshops, strategic planning, review sessions with partners from NGOs and governmental institutions on conflict transformation measures.
• Design, develop and conduct intra- and intercommunal dialogue formats with religious and ethnic groups, host communities/internally displaced people to create channels for ongoing communication, promote collective action around common needs and develop trust.
• Plan, organize and conduct trainings and consultations related to negotiation, dialogue, mediation, consensus building, conflict sensitive methods, in particular Do-No-Harm, conflict analysis, communication/advocacy, and peacebuilding strategies.
• Ensure proper cooperation with partner organizations and delivery of quality services.
• Conduct regular needs assessments as well as context and conflict analysis in areas of implementation to identify peacebuilding needs.
• Design and develop work plans, activities, targets, budget and standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient project implementation and operations.
• Support in the design and implementation of an M&E plan for the peacebuilding interventions.
• Work towards integrating peacebuilding and conflict-sensitivity into other relevant fields and ensure mainstreaming in other project initiatives.

Your profile

• University degree in social/political sciences, law, peace and conflict studies or other relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 5-years professional experience in conflict transformation and peacebuilding in a conflict or post conflict setting. Experience as Civil Peace Service Expert and regional knowledge of the of the Iraqi context is an asset.
• Relevant work experience in peace education related to transitional justice and/or dealing with the past is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of civil conflict transformation methods, including all-party, inter and communal dialogue approaches, mediation and nonviolent communication.
• Experience working on intra- and intercommunal tensions with diverse ethnic communities affected by violence and conflict.
• Knowledge and experience of conflict sensitive methods, in particular Do-No-Harm, project management, coupled with some knowledge of PM&E methods and processes.
• Experience with integration/mainstreaming of peacebuilding and conflict-sensitivity across other programmes and projects is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with approaches to addressing “inclusion” issues, including issues affecting women and girls, ethnic minorities, and other vulnerable groups.
• Experience in designing concepts for facilitating trainings, workshops and other events involving diverse partners and stakeholders affected by violence/conflict.
• Experience working in insecure environments and handling of security needs.
• Excellent written and spoken command of English, including the ability to write high-quality written outputs, German/Arabic is an asset.
• Strong intercultural sensitivity and ability to work in a team with diverse backgrounds.
• Strong ability to think strategically and conceptually.
• Resilience and high frustration tolerance is needed.
• Willingness to undertake frequent trips to the destroyed and disputed areas in Ninewa Governorate, including trips lasting several days.
• Sound IT skills (Office applications and presentation skills).
• Driving license and experience is an asset.

Start of assignment
Ideally, you are available to start working on 1st of May 2024 (preparation courses, followed by a contract for at least two years, with the option of extension).

Your application
Please upload your application (letter of motivation and CV) at www.forumzfd.de/en/jobs latest by 31st of March 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted until April 09th, 2024.
An online selection process is planned to be scheduled before the end of April. In case of any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Karim Thabet at [email protected].
Please find further information about our organisation and our assignments online at www.forumZFD.de/en. This job advertisement as well as further employment postings can be viewed at www.forumZFD.de/en/jobs.

We are looking forward to receiving your application!