Provincial Engagement Lead, Najaf

 Program Overview: Chemonics International, a US-based international development consulting firm, seeks a Provincial Engagement Lead, Najaf for the USAID Iraq Together project. Iraq Together aims to provide more equitable, efficient, and sustainable public services in Iraq, as well as improving government responsiveness to citizens’ needs and demands. Objectives of this activity include working with the Government of Iraq (GOI) to improve service delivery and strengthen democratic and participatory governance.

Position Overview: The Provincial  Engagement Lead, Najaf reports to the Regional Team Director, Baghdad, and is responsible for forging and maintaining strong partnerships in the target community and targeted government entities to achieve harmonized implementation under both Objective 1: Targeted Iraqi Government Improve and Are More Inclusive in Service Delivery and Objective 2, which is Strengthening Democratic and Participatory Governance of Targeted Iraqi Service Delivery Institutions. This position will work to oversee the team improving service delivery in the Najaf governorate by convening local partners to identify concerns, working with directorates to design and implement customer service feedback mechanisms, and supporting directorate service providers to deliver improvement projects.  And maintaining citizen engagement and integrating citizen approaches throughout all programs and activities.  This position is open to Iraqi nationals residing in Iraq.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee the implementation of interventions in his/her area of responsibility.
• Serves as the Ma’an focal point with provincial, and district government officials, CSOs, and communities and is responsible for maintaining professional working relationships.
• Establish sector-specific networks and alliances to enable emerging leaders to share ideas, strategies, and tactics.
• Coordinate the implementation of Ma’an interventions with appropriate entities
• Manage the provincial team and provide the necessary support to carry out the tasks in the field.
• Report any implementation issues and provide practical solutions to ensure timely and smooth implementation of interventions.
• Report successes as a result of Ma’an interventions and provide the necessary documentation and pictures.
• Brief senior provincial officials on project progress and obtain necessary buy-in and stakeholder commitment.
• Provide weekly updates to the regional team director on the status of implementation in his/her area of responsibility and assist the regional team director update the action plan tracker.
• Oversee the gathering of grievances through dialogue sessions and present solutions to government stakeholders from the public’s perspective.
• Work with Iraqi government and non-government actors to monitor evolving risks and opportunities in real time.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in a relevant technical field, such as international development, public administration, or engineering preferred
• Minimum three years of work experience in managing a team of diverse background.
• Minimum five years of relevant work experience in community engagement, government-run service delivery, public administration, and/or in a complex development context like Iraq.
• Experience integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), particularly working with women, persons with disabilities, youth, the elderly, religious and ethnic minorities, internally displaced persons, and returnees.
• Minimum three years of supervisory experience, preferably working with culturally and geographically diverse staff.
• Experience overseeing the development and implementation of subcontracts and grants, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
• Knowledge of USAID and its operations preferred, or experience with other donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.
• Experience living and working in Iraq required, preferably with experience specific to the Najaf context.
• Fluency in Arabic with proficiency in English is required.

Application Instructions:

To apply please fill out this form: Iraq Together Job Application Form (smartsheet.com)

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.