Iraq Education/WASH Project Manager - Locally Recruited Expatriate

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

To oversee all aspect of the Education/WASH project implementation in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education of Iraq. The Education/WASH project manager report to the Area Manager for south and south central.

BACKGROUND

DRC has been operating in the Middle East and North Africa for over a decade, running a combination of livelihood, protection, advocacy and relief programmes. DRC has seven programme offices throughout Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and a country office/regional office in Amman, Jordan. Currently DRC is in the process of opening other country offices in Occupied Palestinian Territories as well as Libya/Tunisia.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) started working Iraq in 2003 and is currently operating a programme in the whole country, involving around 150 national staff and 10 internationals staff. DRC was among the first agencies to begin operations in Iraq following the collapse of the previous regime in 2003 and ensured a rapid-start-up to respond to the humanitarian needs. The first projects were implemented in Diyala (Central Iraq) as of May 2003 followed by projects in Basra (Southern Iraq) in 2004. In September 2007 DRC took over the activities of Ockenden International in three south central governorates (Kerbala, Missan and Wassit). In 2008 activities were started in the Kurdish areas (Erbil, Dohuk & Sulaimanyah) as well as in Thi Qar, Babylon and Kirkuk.

The Iraq programme has developed over the last years from a programme focusing on direct assistance to one that includes a strong emphasis on capacity development within Protection, Livelihood (Early Economic Recovery),Shelters, Education/WASH and Capacity Building.

The overall objective of the Education/WASH project is to contribute to the realization of children’s rights to survival, development and education, through the development of school-based management which would then present a viable school-based participatory management process in support of Iraqi Public Sector modernization, in 80 schools in 5 governorates in Southern Iraq.

DUTIES

• Oversee the project implementation as per signed DRC - UNICEF Programme Cooperation Agreement and as per DRC programme and Operation Handbook guidelines, using PCM approach, including HR, Admin, financial and logistical aspect of the project.

• Represent DRC at international and national fora as per Project needs under supervision of the DCD and/or Area Manager.

• Build coordination between PTAs, local level government institutions and Protection Assistance and Return Centres, ensuring representation of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

• Coordinate the methodological coherence of the program through the creation and update of training modules for capacity building, field guides, guidelines and toolkits for the implementing teams Manage Governance aspects of the project, liaising with key stakeholders to ensure that expenditures are planned, executed and managed properly.

• To develop and keep updated a comprehensive set of procedures and systems which enable project staff to deliver services effectively. To lead on development of the capacity building and governance aspects of the project.

• Develop modules for Child rights, child-centered learning and democratic processes in education Transparency and accountability in PCM, Home care of children, protection awareness, involvement of children in education and understanding child psychosocial issues, Defining and sourcing teacher development plans, Project Orientation and understanding SBM, Youth leadership and engagement in education, Participatory approaches and mobilizing your community for engagement, School based information management system.

• Any other duty as directed by the Country Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in social areas (anthropology, development studies, humanitarian aid, organisational/institutional capacity building and development) or relevant related experience, a combination of academic qualifications and experience in a similar position or related area may be accepted in lieu of a degree.

• 5 years minimum experience of managing humanitarian/development WASH, capacity building programmes in insecure environments.

• Deep and clear understanding of humanitarian principles, codes of conduct and ideally, specific sub sector work; water/ sanitation, protection, health, shelter, linked to INGO field operations contexts.

• Mature understanding of the dynamics between NGOs and their key stakeholders.

• Experience with participatory approaches (PRA/PLA) and familiarity with Local Governance.

• Excellent team player with both national and international staff members.

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

• Knowledge and/or fluency in Arabic would be an advantage.

• Able to work independently and energetically.

• Relevant computer and report writing skills.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.

CONDITIONS

Availability: 01. January 2012.

Duty station: Basra, but with extensive travel within the south and south central region.

Contract: 6 months with possibility of extension, subject to funding.

Salary and other conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for MENA Locally Recruited Expatriate. The position will be placed at salary level B1.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information, please contact Yves-Kim Creac’h, Country Director, email: yves-kim.creach@drciraq.dk.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.

ABOUT DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.

How to apply:

APPLICATION AND CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.

Please forward your application, in English and marked “Education/WASH Project Manager Iraq”, tojobs@drciraq.dk no later than 30. December 2011.

Please note: Due to the urgency of the position DRC reserves the right to recruit any suitable candidate before the above mentioned deadline for application.