Community Development and Service Delivery Department Manager

Job Title: Community Development and Service Delivery Department Manager

Location: Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), with regular travel to other areas of KRI. 

Type of position: Employment Contract - Full-time

Length of Contract: 12 Months

Compensation and Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with skills and experience. Expatriate Compensation Package: includes local transportation allowances, Medical insurance and Life insurance 

About SEED: SEED is a women-led, local NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, dedicated to creating a thriving society by advancing social protection and human development. We support individuals, empower communities, and strengthen systems to drive lasting change and equal opportunity. With a focus on collaboration, we promote gender equality, protect children, combat human trafficking, and improve mental health and well-being. SEED’s holistic, locally-driven approach integrates transformational services, community development, training and education, and advocacy to create sustainable impact. SEED is committed to creating a just, equitable society where everyone's rights are protected, with healthy families and strong communities, and a future where everyone can thrive.

Department Overview: 

The Community Development and Service Delivery Department fosters individual and community resilience through community-based interventions and integrated, holistic protection and MHPSS services to individuals and families across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The Department provides comprehensive protection, mental health, and psychosocial services to individuals and families to empower communities to heal from violence and support their recovery. The Department promotes well-being and social transformation through group interventions that increase awareness, strengthen resiliency and social cohesion, foster healthy and non-violent attitudes and behaviors, and  encourage community-driven solutions. 

Role of the Community Development and Service Delivery Department Manager: 

SEED is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and experienced professional to serve as the Manager of the Community Development and Service Delivery Department. This role ensures effective integration and coordination of holistic, rights-based, and community-driven programming that meets the diverse needs of vulnerable populations. The ideal candidate will provide vision and leadership that foster a culture of excellence and collaboration, and strong and empowering management of the portfolio and staff to effectively implement the department's goals and activities. 

The Manager will be responsible for managing the department’s main functions:  

• Oversee the design and delivery of quality community-based group interventions that build resiliency, strengthen awareness, and support social and behavioral change. 
• Oversee the delivery of quality, comprehensive service delivery to individuals and families including case management, legal, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services including gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking prevention and response. 
• Oversee the operation of SEED’s service delivery centers and shelter for trafficking survivors. 

This is a senior leadership position that requires a deep understanding of MHPSS and protection needs and services, community-based programming to strengthen resiliency, awareness of rights, gender equality, child protection, and social cohesion with an emphasis of improving knowledge, skills, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. The successful candidate will be a passionate advocate for transformative, locally-driven change and will bring significant experience in empowering communities through inclusive, participatory approaches. The Department Manager will supervise other managers and technical staff. This position is based in Erbil with frequent travel throughout Kurdistan. The Department Manager will directly report to the President. 

Specific Tasks: 

Strategic Leadership, Management, and Planning (60%): 

• Lead the development and implementation of departmental strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Provide strategic guidance on program design and scaling of MHPSS, GBV, and community development initiatives.
• Identify emerging needs, trends, and best practices to inform innovation and program improvement.
• Set priorities and oversee the development and implementation of technical guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safeguarding protocols.
• Set project direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives.
• Provide input into program development
• Identify and manage risks associated with program delivery and partnerships. 
• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team; provide mentorship, supervision, and professional development support.
• Foster a culture of accountability, learning, and collaboration within the service delivery and community development teams.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes for staff.
• Supervise service delivery and community development managers and coordinators, technical advisors, and their teams, and ensure roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear for each staff member at all times. 
• Build systems and structures for managing department activities, in all locations, under all programs, ensure sufficient coordination between PSDMs, technical advisors, program managers, and other departments.
• Ensure timely and quality reporting to donors, partners, and internal leadership.

Technical Leadership (30%): 

• Ensure technical quality, coherence, and impact of services and community interventions.
• Lead the design and implementation of evidence-based social and behavioral change strategies to promote positive behaviors through group community based interventions.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of technical resources, including group curricula, training manuals, facilitator guides, and standardized tools for PSS and community development interventions.
• Review and as needed, develop policies, guidance's, and protocols 
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in accordance with donor requirements, organizational policies, and international standards and practices. 
• Coordinate closely with the MEAL Unit to ensure all MHPSS and protection service delivery activities are properly monitored, documented, evaluated, and reported on, and contribute to reporting.
• Contribute to learning and knowledge management by promoting documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
• Support program M&E, including development of tools, to ensure that M&E systems provide adequate feedback on MHPSS and protection interventions.
• Ensure that all MEAL findings about service delivery and community development are addressed, and that services and processes are adapted to address any gaps. 
• Ensure all efforts are being made to be fully accountable to our clients and all accountability and safeguarding mechanisms are in place and followed up. 

Coordination and Organizational Representation (10%)

• Represent the organization in local and high-level coordination forums, donor meetings, and partnerships related to MHPSS, GBV, and community development.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, UN bodies, NGOs, and community stakeholders.
• Advocate for inclusive, survivor-centered, and community-based approaches in policy and program discussions.
• Identify and manage strategic partnerships with local and international organizations, and key government interlocutors, including any sub-grantees delivering services.

Key values: 

• Serve as a positive role model and SEED ambassador at all times.
• Treat all people with respect regardless of age, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability status, marital status and ethnicity.  
• Working collaboratively with all colleagues, and maintaining a positive, cooperative attitude.

Essential criteria:

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Gender Studies, International Development, Public Health or related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in managing teams and building staff capacity through training, coaching, and supervision. 
• Minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience in protection and MHPSS service delivery, psychosocial support group interventions, community development and engagement, GBV prevention, social behavioral change, and peacebuilding in humanitarian or development settings.
• Strong technical knowledge of gender equality, women and girls empowerment, GBV prevention, and social norm change with experience designing or leading awareness and social behavioral change initiatives. 
• Strong knowledge of social change theories and approaches 
• Experience in developing culturally sensitive messages and materials.
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, and staff management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including experience with diverse communities. 
• Experience in program design and development, program implementation, MEAL, and reporting. 
• Experience in resource management and program/activity planning. 
• Experience in development and humanitarian settings a must; experience in the Middle East, Iraq, or Kurdistan, a plus.
• Strong belief in human rights and gender equality.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.
• Strong ability to work independently.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, especially in the Middle East, is highly desirable.
• Excellent English required; proficiency in Kurdish and/or Arabic a plus.
• Good computer skills, experience with Google Drive 
• Committed to SEED’s mission, values, and ethical standards. 

To Apply: 

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume via this LINK
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Safeguarding Statement 

SEED staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities professionally, respecting SEED’s Code of Conduct and Policies. SEED is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members as part of our commitment to a safe and harmonious work environment.