Short-term Adviser for the Regional Stabilisation Programme for Syria and Iraq

Background

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Ministry of Defence have launched a new three-year regional stabilisation programme for Syria and Iraq for the period 2019-2021. The stabilisation programme is a continuation of Danish stabilisation engagements in Syria and Iraq.

The Regional Stabilisation Programme for Syria and Iraq is aimed at addressing the immediate and medium term stabilisation needs in both countries, thus contributing to reduced regional insecurity, terrorism, irregular migration and protracted displacement.

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a regional Programme Implementation Unit based in Istanbul, consisting of three advisers. The unit reports directly to the Middle East and North Africa Department (MENA) in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and collaborates closely with the Danish Special Representative to the Syrian crisis, the Danish Ambassador to Iraq, the Danish Ministry of Defence and with other relevant departments in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Content and areas of responsibility

The Short-term Adviser will be working closely together with the two current senior advisers responsible for activities in Syria and Iraq.

The responsibilities of the short-term adviser will include, but not be limited to:

• Responsibility for the administration of financial and narrative reporting under the stabilisation programme.
• Responsibility for administrative finalisation of Danish stabilisation engagements in Syria and Iraq.
• Assisting the Syria and Iraq advisers on reporting and budget administration tasks.
• Attending meetings and representing Denmark with donors, partners, authorities etc. including travel to the region and Denmark.
• General administration tasks related to both the Programme Implementation Unit in Istanbul Unit and MFA MENA Department.

The Position

Title: Short-term Adviser.

Place of Service: Istanbul, Turkey, with travels to primarily Gaziantep and Baghdad (approx. 1- 2 visit per month. Additional travel activity in the region and to Copenhagen may occur. A private security company approved by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will manage the security in Iraq.

Contract period: From May 1 2019 – April 30 2020

Special conditions: The Adviser will be working in a highly demanding and volatile environment, which will require flexibility and stamina as well as a willingness to adapt quickly to surrounding circumstances. Any successful candidate would have to undergo relevant training in working in hostile environments, i.e. HEAT and CAC course (given that the applicant has not already completed such training). Furthermore, it is a condition for the assignment that the applicant is approved by the psychologist appointed by MFA.

Qualifications

Requirements and expectations regarding the candidate’s formal qualifications:

• An advanced university degree.
• Fluency in English and Danish
• Experience from working with budget analyses, financial accounting, economic assessments and administration of financial support
• Experience from working with fragile states and/or in the field of development and/or stabilisation.
• Experience from working with governmental, non-governmental and UN organisations.
• Knowledge of DANIDA aid management guidelines, DANIDA financial management procedures and software as well as Danish Peace and Stabilisation Fund (PSF) guidelines will be considered an advantage.
• Previous work experience in MENA countries and knowledge of Arabic will be considered an advantage.
• Previous work experience with DANIDA and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be considered an advantage

Recruitment Procedures

Deadline for applications: 8 March 2019 at 12.00 hours (CET)

Preliminary interviews and personal evaluation: 18-19 March 2019. Mercuri Urval will conduct a personal evaluation of selected candidates.

Presentation to the appointments committee: 1 April 2019.

Decision: Expected during week 14 Expected commencement: 1 April 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter.

For further information please contact Special Adviser for Syria and Iraq, Astrid Folkmann Bonde via telephone: +45 33921880. Information about the mandatory application procedure can be found at: www.danidajob.um.dk. Reference number DK-06160-2019/IST.01-W should be stated in the application.