Environmental Peacebuilding Association

Netherlands: Project Manager Iraq Climate, Environment, Peace and Security

Nov 28, 2023 | PAX
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PAX is the largest peace organization in the Netherlands. For the past 75 years, PAX has been working with local partners in conflict areas worldwide to protect civilians. Against violence of war, towards ending armed conflict and building inclusive peace.

PAX’s Humanitarian Disarmament, Business Conflict & Human Rights team works to address the impact of war on protection of civilians through the use of banned and controversial weapons, and the environmental harm caused by military activities. Our work in based on research-based advocacy and collaboration with local partners to highlight concerns and call for action, accountability and justice.

PAX is looking for a new: Project Manager Iraq, Climate, Environment, Peace and Security (CEPS) (32 hours per week) 

For PAX’s project on Climate, Environment, Peace and Security (CEPS) in Iraq, we are recruiting a Project Manager with experience in the Iraq context who has an interest in developing novel approaches to inclusive environmental peacebuilding, research and advocacy. The project is carried out by a consortium of 3 organisations (PAX, the American University of Suleymaniyah and Clingendael) and seeks to strengthen the role of affected communities in collective environmental and climate action in Iraq. The project will assess conflict-linked damages and cascading impacts of climate change, to build grass-root networks, and conduct research-based advocacy on different levels. The project will start on the 1st of January 2024 with a duration of 3 years.

The Role

As Project Manager you are part of the team Humanitarian Disarmament and you will closely cooperate with the two consortium partners and the PAX country office in Iraq. The Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of the project, including project coordination, planning, monitoring and reporting, as well as leading project activities such as knowledge development, lobby and advocacy. The Project Manager reports to the PAX Project Lead.

As the Project Manager for PAX’s CEPS project in Iraq, your work will be contribute to developing a robust partner network, building research projects, collaborating with national and international stakeholders, and achieving concrete outcomes. Effective management entails initiating and implementing work with in-country colleagues, ensuring a positive workflow, and overseeing project monitoring and evaluation. Your role also involves fostering an engaging atmosphere within the team and the project. This atmosphere should yield outcomes that promote climate action, protect vital ecosystems, and empower communities grappling with these challenges. Ultimately, your efforts will contribute to the creation of impactful and meaningful outcomes.

Responsibilities

International project planning and ensuring implementation in Iraq as well as on a multilateral level;
Project monitoring and arranging an end of project evaluation;  
Quarterly narrative and financial reporting to the donor;  
Hiring external expertise on open-source research, citizen science and storytelling;  
Ensure planning and coordination between the two consortium partners, the country office and the different PAX and external experts contributing to the project;  
Support consortium partners in compliance with donor regulations;  
Develop research and advocacy ideas to be implemented on a national and international level;
Coordination with other relevant actors active on environment and climate in Iraq and internationally;   
Managing project activities such as workshops, campaigns, trainings;
Ensuring quality of research and reports being published;
Organising advocacy events on CEPS together with PAX’s representatives at the UN and EU;
Organizing and facilitating learning and exchange events with local groups and communities;  
External communication about the project with donors, media and diplomats.

Qualifications

Academic degree in a relevant field of international relations, Middle East studies or environmental policies;
Minimum of 10 years proven project management skills and experience;
Knowledge of and/or experience on environmental policies and climate;
Experience working on or in Iraq or the Middle East region, both on project management and international advocacy;
Commitment to climate actions and environmental peacebuilding in Iraq, preferably experience with working with affected communities;  
Ability to interact and work with people from different backgrounds, from policy makers to local communities;   
Accuracy with regard to deadlines and other project responsibilities;  
Working proficiency of Arabic and English;
Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office applications such as Teams, Excel etc.;
Authorised to travel in the Kurdistan Regional Government and Federal Iraq;
Eligible to work in the EU, a valid work permit is a hard requirement;
Affinity with PAX’s mission and values.

What PAX offers

An interesting position in a dynamic, informal and internationally oriented work environment;
The opportunity to contribute to innovative work on climate, environment, peace and security through novel research methods and working with communities and academia;
PAX headquarters is located in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Residency of the Project Manager is in the Netherlands with frequent travels to Iraq;
Appointment for 32 hours per week (0,89 fte), initially for 12 months with prospects of extension;
Start date as soon as possible;
Salary scale 10 in accordance with the PKN employment conditions (depending on years of experience min. € 2.792,46 to max. € 4.125,70 gross for 36 hours per week);
8% holiday-allowance and 8,3% end of year bonus;
Full reimbursement of commuting expenses, 2nd class public transport.

Procedure and information

For more information about PAX see: www.paxvoorvrede.nl.

Questions? Please contact Wim Zwijnenburg, Project Lead Humanitarian Disarmament, via zwijnenburg@paxforpeace.nl for further information including a project summary.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their CV and motivation letter addressed to Wim Zwijnenburg, solely by using the following application form.

The closing date for applications to this position is Tuesday 12 December 2023.

The first round of interviews will be scheduled for the week of 18 December.

PAX is looking for motivated colleagues with passion and courage, to build a diverse, inclusive and authentic working environment together. Even if an applicant does not tick all the boxes, PAX still encourages them to apply, because who knows, PAX might be a good match together!