BACKGROUND
Iraq is emerging from over three years of civil war against the Islamic State and remains one of the most complex operating environments in the world. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades and the destruction of communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair. Iraq has a new government in place, and while some parts of the country are beginning to stabilize, others remain precariously close to collapse. Over 4 million Iraqis have returned in the past year, but 1.9 million remain displaced. 230,000 Syrians continue to seek refuge in the Kurdish region. The new government will struggle to rebuild trust and restore basic services.
A lead responder in Iraq since 2003, the IRC delivers aid and services that help communities survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC is providing robust programming across 6 governorates through women’s protection and empowerment, child protection and protection and rule of law programming; cash distributions and livelihoods programming in support of economic recovery and development; education programming; and integrated early childhood development programming. Our work spans the spectrum from emergency response within 72 hours to long-term programming supporting our clients to rebuild their lives through starting small businesses. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Emergency Coordinator (EC) will report to the Country Director (CD), and will oversee IRC Iraq’s emergency response programming and context analysis; the EC will also work closely with the Regional Emergency Coordinator (REC). The EC will support the IRC country team to respond to displacement crises across the country, coordinating all emergency preparedness and response activities. This will include pre-planning, coordination and leadership, in collaboration with the SMT, on preparedness and response activities, and ongoing development and training of the Country Emergency Team (CET). The EC will provide the appropriate leadership on implementation of preparedness and response activities including capacity strengthening, emergency trigger monitoring, and completion and monitoring of preparedness actions while overseeing decision-making and management of responses. The EC will continue to support the process of increasing IRC country program emergency readiness through the regular updating of country emergency preparedness plans (EPP). The EC is responsible for ensuring the speed of response, scale of assistance and timely delivery of program activities, along with ensuring the best use of resources, while maintaining a positive relationship with other agencies, both local and international. Given the Iraq Country Director also oversees IRC’s northeast Syria program, the EC may also be asked to support in the event of a sudden contextual shift or other developing emergency needs for northeast Syria, as needed and as feasible, while balancing the Iraq tasks.
She/he will support IRC operations by ensuring analysis is used to inform programming. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Programs and Program Coordinators, she/he will help maximize the effectiveness of IRC’s activities in Iraq by contributing to the design and ongoing adaptation of programming to ensure it is contextually appropriate and is grounded in a conflict-sensitive, Do No Harm approach.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness Planning
•Ensure the EPP is updated in a timely and consultative manner and reflects the most current situation
•Track and monitor completion of preparedness actions and provide updates to the REC and SMT
•Contribute to the development of operational and programmatic contingency plans that respond to different emergency scenarios, in collaboration with the Security and Access team
•Support the development of program continuity plans for identified/most likely emergency scenarios
Risk Monitoring and Context Analysis
•Monitor and assess prevailing trends in the conflict and socio-economic situation in Iraq, identify and evaluate implications for IRC’s programs and operational posture in Iraq (and northeast Syria), and recommend emergency preparedness and response strategies, in collaboration with the Security and Access team.
•Contribute to local-level conflict sensitivity analysis and macro- level analysis of trends within the Iraq context with the support of the Regional Humanitarian Analyst
•Track and analyze instances of program contraction, relocation, withdrawal, or expansion, depending on external access factors, and identify trends and anticipate triggers of follow-on events.
•Support entry into new areas and exit from existing areas based on above analysis, including leading on multisector program assessments as requested by the Deputy Director pf Programs for emergency response
•Produce ad-hoc analyses as requested by Programs and Operations to support readiness and program adaption
•Coordinate monitoring of EPP-identified or other prioritized triggers by different staff members
•Ensure that trigger information is collated, analyzed and communicated to the REC and SMT for decision-making at an agreed periodic interval
•Provide inputs to the online IRC Risk Monitoring dashboard to ensure rapid classification in the event of a crisis
Program Development and Conflict Sensitivity
•Support the Deputy Director of Programs, Program Coordinators and field management staff in developing conflict-sensitive and contextually-appropriate approaches for Iraq, including identifying areas to streamline conflict sensitivity into the program cycle
•Participate in program review meetings, contribute to implementation plans, and strengthen tools to ensure programs understand latest contextual developments, program impact on the context, and are adapting programs accordingly
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
•Facilitate logistical planning of Real Time Evaluations (RTEs) for country-led emergency responses
•Participate in RTEs conducted in other countries
•Ensure that CET and emergency preparedness success stories are documented and shared
•Lead (together with SMT) quarterly completion of the self-assessment survey for the Emergency Preparedness Rating (EPR)
CET Coordination and Capacity Strengthening
When required, work with HR to ensure the CET team is staffed up and new CET members are inducted
•Support HR to operationalize and socialize the CET HR toolkit
•Lead the development of the capacity strengthening plan and ensure that it is regularly updated
•Train and mentor the Country Emergency Team on humanitarian engagement and analysis skills
•Organize meetings and forums to ensure that CET members stay engaged
Emergency Response
Program Implementation
•In coordination with the heads of programs and operations as well as security, lead IRC emergency responses during displacements (due to conflict or natural disasters) or other emergencies
•Coordinate the deployment of CET members based on needs, ensuring they have clear ToRs
•Collaborate with the SMT to define the scope and objectives of IRC’s response to each specific emergency
•Oversee the implementation of the emergency response program and ensure that stated goals and objectives are met
•Ensure compliance with IRC and international policy, procedures and practices throughout emergency response activities, including adherence to Do No Harm principles and conflict sensitivity
•As the team leader of the CET, provide leadership during emergency response start-up through the establishment of field offices and hiring of staff (as relevant and necessary) and in close coordination with head of operations and existing field leadership
•Identify gaps and work with SMT to mobilize national and global IRC resources to respond to crises as appropriate
Coordination, Liaison & Representation
•Liaise and coordinate with other UN and NGO partners, local authorities, Iraq analysts and beneficiaries in planning and response to emergencies, preparedness and contextual understanding
•Coordinate with the Security and Humanitarian Access team on the identification and engagement of relevant stakeholders and approvals, including negotiations, stakeholder mapping and entry/exit strategies
Program Design
•Work closely with the DDP, program and grants coordinators to develop concept notes and proposals, based on the assessments and addressing identified needs
•Undertake rapid needs assessments to identify gaps and needs in humanitarian landscape
Reporting & Documentation
•Provide accurate routine reports to the SMT, document results and maintain detailed records of program activities, with increased frequency during any declared emergencies
•Develop needs assessment reports and other internal reports as required by SMT
•Work with communications to respond to requests for program information from the IRC’s Regional Office, advocacy team, HQ or Emergency Unit, donors and others
•Ensure operationalization of the RTE and After Action Review recommendations and lessons learned
•With HR, support CET post-deployment appraisals
Key Working Relationships
Internal: Iraq Senior Management Team; Iraq Field and Program Coordinators, Regional Emergency Coordinator; HQ Emergency Unit staff
External: Donors, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, partner organizations, local authorities, government officials.
Professional Standards
IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Requirements
•Graduate degree in a relevant field preferred
•At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience managing complex humanitarian programming. Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.
•Strong familiarity with IRC Iraq’s core programming areas including integrated Protection, Education, and Economic Recovery and Development.
•Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and cross-cultural dynamics
•Superior diplomatic and coordination skills are essential, both for internal coordination and for working with key stakeholders
•Demonstrated ability for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies
•Proven track record of leading multi-location teams
•Politically astute, with well-developed diplomatic and negotiating skills
•Fluency in spoken and written English; working knowledge of Arabic strongly preferred
•Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
•Experience of managing programs in a complex and rapidly changing security context
•Established capacity to deal with ambiguity in stressful situations
•Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes
•A keen understanding of political complexities in the Middle East region
•Strong commitment to IRC’s vision, mission and core values
•Motivated, positive individual who excels at taking initiative and is able to motive team members to produce results under pressure while maintaining a sense of humor.
This position is based in Erbil, Iraq with frequent travel to field sites (anticipated 50%) and shared accommodation.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are an Iraqi national, are currently located outside of your home country and possess at least three years of international work experience, the Syria Response Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
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