Iraq: Livelihoods Programme Manager

Jan 10, 2018 | Mission East
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Mission East, founded in Denmark in 1991, is an international humanitarian and development organisation undertaking disaster relief and development programmes in Asia. Mission East worked in Dohuk from 2003-2005. In response to the recent IDP crisis Mission East has re-established a presence in Iraq in September 2014 in order to provide emergency assistance for displaced people. Its current programme in Iraq focusses on psychosocial support, shelter, non-food items, WASH, and cash assistance with shortly starting livelihood intervention for IDPs and returnees in Dohuk, Ninewa and Kirkuk Governorates. 
More information on Mission East can be found at: http://www.missioneast.org  Overall responsibility The Livelihoods Programme Manager for Iraq will directly manage all livelihoods programming in Dohuk and Ninewa, while providing technical advisory support to Mission East’s livelihoods programing throughout Iraq. The programming targets IDPs and returnees and includes cash transfer, cash for work and rural agriculture based income generation. The Livelihoods Programme Manager will be responsible for leading and managing the livelihoods project team in Dohuk/Ninewa,  and will provide technical support to the effective and successful design, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation of all livelihoods programming in various project sites.  The Livelihood Programme Manager will represent Mission East at relevant clusters and attend key cluster meetings and with the donors, and will liaise with all relevant stakeholders related to Livelihood and food security actors. Key tasks and responsibilities  Management and technical program support for preparation and implementation of protection activities

• With the Country Director and in consultation with the Area Managers, provide direction to Mission East livelihoods strategy in Iraq.
• Lead technical preparation and implementation of Livelihood activities and ensure that they meet appropriate standards (CHS, SPHERE Standard Protection Principlesand cluster guidelines).
• Manages the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of livelihoods programming in Dohuk/Ninewa, and provides technical expertise leadership and collaborates in the designing, implementation, monitoringand evaluation of Mission East Livelihoods program activities/projects in all locations in Iraq. 
• Provide overall supervision and guidance for successful implementation of the project(s) through field visit and monitoring of all activities
• Take lead role by providing technical and programmatic expertise in planning,  implementing  and evaluating Mission East’s annual work plans for Livelihood  programs
• Ensure that implementation of Livelihood activities builds the capacity of communities and that they are conducted inway that is consultative, participatory, gender-sensitive and inclusive of people with disabilities. 
• In close collaboration with AM ensure that Livelihood activities are carried out in line with donor commitments, in line with agreed work plans in order to achieve planned targets.
• Make sure project design and implementation fit in with Mission East’s wider programme goals in Iraq. 
• Take part in new project assessments, and the development of project proposals, together with other Mission East sectorial teams for any aspect related to Emergency Livelihood and Social Cohesion.
• Ensure that recommendations from monitoring and evaluation reports are integratedin current and future programmes.
• Take part indevelopment of policy and strategy in close collaboration with Mission East’s other teams for any aspect related to Livelihoods.
• Ensure that programme activities are implemented in a consultative, participatory, andgender sensitive way.
• Lead the implementation of changes in livelihoods programming based on the findings related to beneficiary and stakeholder feedback.

• Responsible for ensuring effective programme input to financial systems for livelihoods activities in Dohuk/Ninewa.
• Analyse and control programme spending against established project budgets for livelihoods activities and contribute to budget development for new projects.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mission East regulations related to livelihoods programming.

• Directly supervise Livelihoods Coordinator and oversee the full Livelihoods Project team in Dohuk and Ninewa 
• Provide technical guidance to project staff in all locations on the design, planning, management and implementation of the livelihoods activities. 
• Assist the MEAL team in designing and implementing surveys and assessments related to livelihood programming, when needed.
• Act as a change agent and knowledge resource for all livelihoods team members in their understanding of programme objectives and programme quality control. Provide training when needed. 
• Lead in the updating and/or creation of relevant training materials for all implemented livelihood activities (Self-Help Groups, food security activities, alternative income-generating activities, Green house management etc…)
• Plan the development and changes to human resources necessary to implement livelihoods interventions.
• Draft/revise job descriptions and written tests for livelihoods staff. Grade tests and conduct interviews with the livelihoods staff candidates and actively participate in the recruitment process. 

• Coordinate with local- and regional- level government officials and I/NGOs where required in relation to protection activities. 
• Ensure strong Mission East representation at regional and national ELSC Cluster (and sub-cluster/working group) meetings and awareness of cluster strategies and approaches by appointing and coaching attendees, monitoring information shared by the cluster, and personally attending meetings as required, , and maintain a positive, continuous and visible presence for Mission East
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with local partners, local authorities and other stakeholders
• Facilitate donor visits to project sites as appropriate
• Work constructively with Finance and Logistics and Security staffs to ensure sound administrative practices with regards to record keeping, compliance with donor regulations, communications, etc
• Frequent travel to other locations/districts to attend project sites and provide support to team as needed
• General coordination with key ME management team; mainly AMs and CD;

• In coordination with M&E staff, establish and maintain a monitoring system to ensure precise information on livelihoods activities at each site.
• Support the establishment and improvement of beneficiary accountability mechanisms in relation to livelihoods activities.
• Acilitate and support baseline, mid-term, and end line surveys as required.
• Prepare input for and write progress reports and develop case studies as required and in keeping with internal and donor requirements as related to livelihoods activities.
• Assist in the evaluation of projects.

• Other possible duties, as agreed between the Manager and the Country Director

• Education should be of degree level or higher, preferably in a relevant discipline.

• (more specialized) qualifications in Cash programming, Agriculture, etc. would be an added advantage.

• Previous experience working with livelihoods, economic development, cash for work projects.
• Previous overseas experience in an international relief or development setting, preferably with a non-governmental organisation. 
• Livelihood recovery project management experience.
• Experience on Financial management and budgetary control.
• Experience of working with host governments, government personnel and national NGOs would be highly desirable
• The candidate will have previous experience preparing proposal documents and budgets, preparing work plans, training staff, and monitoring/evaluating projects. This will include large projects for institutional donors.
• The candidate will have a proven track record in implementing the above mentioned projects, including significant staff management experience.
• Excellent project monitoring and quality control skills.
• Ability to create and develop databases – some knowledge of relevant statistical software would be highly desirable. 
• Experience reporting with institutional donors, including preferably, DANIDA, GMFA, BPRM and UN mechanisms.  
• Experience in capacity-building national staff in reporting and proposal writing 
• Experience of living and working in Iraq or the Middle East would be a distinct advantage
• Experience working in sensitive security environments.

• Technical competencies in livelihoods and Cash transfer and income generation  programming
• Solid drafting/reporting skills (in good written English); native or near-native English language ability (a writing sample may be requested)
• Ability to work both independently, and as part of a team.
• Strong co-ordination and negotiation skills with stakeholders 
• Problem solving skills and ability to perform under pressure
• Culturally sensitive and a high level of diplomacy and tact with conflict management and mediation skills.
• Capable of strategic and analytical thinking
• Ability to manage processes, maintain focus on objectives rather than problem details, and meet deadlines.
• Personnel management skills: ability to delegate, follow-up and supervise as well as support.
• Excellent project monitoring and quality control skills.
• Good information management and processing skills
• Understanding of donor guidelines and regulations as well as international protocols and guidelines 
• PC proficiency, at least including word processing (MS Word) and spreadsheets (MS Excel). Ability to design and use databases (MS Access) is useful.
• Agreement with Mission East’s Organisational Values.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication and mediation skills 
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Good analytical skills. Effective negotiator, with the ability to positively influence cross-departmental relations.
• Strong external representational skills
• Strong writing skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Some knowledge of Arabic or Kurdish would be an asset.

• Interested individuals should visit www.miseast.org/apply to register their interest and submit the following by 15/01/2018.
• Candidate's resume accompanied by a Cover Letter (mandatory!), applications that are incomplete won't be considered.
• Mission East may decide to process application before the deadline, therefore interested candidates should submit their applications asap.