Iraq: Program Officer - PROGR01344-00001

If you have a passion for making the world a better place and want to have a front row seat to the world stage, USIP is the place for you.

We are a nonpartisan institute chartered by Congress to tackle the world’s toughest problems. Working in conflict zones around the world, our staff advise and support the military, government officials and community leaders – to promote knowledge and practices that prevent, mitigate and resolve violent conflict. To learn more about USIP programs and job openings go to https://www.usip.org/about/careers. The Institute is headquartered in Washington DC with staff working in 22 different countries, at any given time up to 20% of the staff could be deployed working in the field.

JOB BRIEF

The Program Officer, based in Erbil, provides overall support to USIP’s program in Iraq that aims to enable the voluntary return of internally displaced communities from Ninewa Plains and Western Ninewa. The incumbent will support a coalition of national partners and manage development and planning, and financial management, as described in the following sections. The incumbent will also perform other duties as assigned. This position reports to the Senior Program Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support coalition of 5 national partners and manage project management, planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation
• Support implementation of project activities in line with established goals, objectives, and partnership agreements.
• Ensure all project activities are implemented within project timelines in a manner that meets project standards and objectives.
• Monitors and evaluates project activities to meet program goals and objectives;
• Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships critical to the successful implementation of all activities.
• Support and deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for both internal and external project stakeholder, including responsibility for the development, editing and timely submission of any donor progress reports as required, coordinating with HQ and/or regional counterparts who are providing key inputs.
• Support research on related thematic areas as needed throughout the project and develop reports, analysis, etc. for USIP promotion.
• Support meetings with U.S. government partner agencies and key national and international stakeholders.
• Ensure the highest level of communication and cooperation with relevant USIP departments/teams.
• Contribute to USIP’s understanding of returnee/stabilization issues.
• Support efforts to represent the project and USIP Iraq programs in internal and external events and meetings, disseminate information about USIP projects, findings, and subject matter expertise.
• Support Senior Program Officer to ensure all project staff follow USIP policies and procedures: security, finance, administration, and operations.
• Maintain a high level of security awareness at all times.
• Support travel of USIP staff to Iraq.
• Oversees the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Identification and evaluation of problem areas or constraints that may inhibit attainment of Program objectives.
• Manages a support network (e.g., leads a team of staff supporting the implementation of programs, is responsible for meeting project goals and objectives, develops and presents on the status project goals and objectives, etc.).
• Tracks the program budget to ensure that the program is operating within its budget limitations in order to meet its goals and objectives.
• Builds strategic partnerships and cultivates contacts with subject matter experts and a wide variety of external organizations to leverage resources and combine efforts to promote USIP program initiatives and goals.
• Represent USIP to local and national government bodies, local and International actors, UN agencies, etc.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in international relations or related field or equivalent experience required.
• A minimum of six or more years of relevant professional experience required.
• Management and supervisory experience desired.
• Demonstrated experience on Iraq. Significant time working in the country or region is preferred.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent writing and oral communications skills, as well as cross-cultural skills, media skills, and the ability to deal with counterparts on every political, social and economic level.
• Relevant knowledge of project and personnel management and capacity building approaches to local partners.
• ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Familiarity with drafting and negotiating proposals and writing reports for USG agencies such as INL, DRL and USAID.
• Knowledge of Technical expertise relevant to the region such as IDPs, stabilization, resilience, reconciliation, and capacity building approaches desired.
• USAID compliance experience preferred.
• Professional fluency in English language is required.
• Prior experience working in the MENA region a plus.

All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.

Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:

1. Completed employment application including titles, dates of hire and salary history.
2. Cover letter
3. Resume

For questions about this position please email recruitment@usip.org. Do not send resumes or attachments to this email address.

Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted.

No Phone Calls. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment only.

USIP is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of USIP to offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliations or belief, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To apply for this position, please use the following URL:

https://ars2.equest.com/?response_id=2d0d2b5785870614cb4360c286aba0e2