Program Manager - Protection

Job Title: Program Manager - Protection 

Location: Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRI)

Type of Position: Full-time Employment Contract

Length of Contract: 12 months

Compensation and Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with skills and experience. The expatriate/local compensation package includes relocation expenses housing and local transportation allowances.

About SEED Foundation: SEED Foundation is a locally registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering quality and holistic approaches, combining international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan. SEED’s programming focuses on three key objectives: 1) the delivery of transformational, comprehensive services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities; 2) strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-development programs; and 3) ​promoting policy and social change to strengthen rights and protections for vulnerable populations through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy. SEED carries a broad program portfolio focused on child protection and gender-based violence (GBV), and mental health and psychosocial well-being.

SEED staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities professionally, respecting SEED’s Code of Conduct 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.

Role of the Program Manager: The Program Manager (PM) will manage a multi-year,  international grant program. The Program Manager will be responsible for the successful attainment of goals, objectives and targets, ensuring the highest standards of quality. The Program Manager will plan, design program activities and collaborate with monitoring, evaluation, and learning teams to evaluate the program; oversee activities and its implementation; manage the budget; and carry out reporting and donor liaison. The Program Manager reports to the Head of Programs, and will work closely with other program managers, technical advisors, unit managers, field staff, and other units such as finance and operations. The PM may also lead the development of technical content for  the program aligning with its specific objectives and activities. The PM will lead and strategize engagement and collaboration with government agencies as necessary

Program Description: The program aims to facilitate the transition from humanitarian to sustainable development and assistance by enhancing locally-led GBV prevention and response initiatives. This involves strengthening systems and capacities to sustain GBV services and prevention efforts long-term. Through targeted technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, comprehensive training, and resource development, the program aims at providing effective services and interventions that address the causes and respond to GBV to create a protective environment that fosters sustainable progress in gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence. The program also aims to deliver holistic and high-quality services to enhance the well-being and recovery of IDPs, refugees, and host community members through comprehensive Protection, Mental Health, GBV, legal, and MHPSS support.

Specific Tasks: 

Program and Grant Management and Leadership (80%)

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Programs and other managers on the full cycle of program management, including design, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Oversee implementation and administration of programs, setting program direction and ensuring that all activities are conducted in full compliance with donor regulations and SEED Foundation policies and procedures.
• Manage budgets, prepare projections, review BVAs, and ensure timely and appropriate spending. 
• Develop work plans and track progress on all program objectives, activities, and targets, ensuring program implementation is on time, progressing towards targets and within budget.
• Coordinate across technical, programmatic, operational and management teams to facilitate continuity and complementarity of programming. 
• Identify challenges with implementation and make recommendations for course correction.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with SEED’s relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.
• Supervise, train and build the capacity of program staff, identifying capacity building needs and devising development plans for staff members.
• Conduct appraisals and provide regular, constructive feedback to staff members.
• Working closely with the MEAL Manager, develop and contribute to the creation of MEAL systems for programs and projects.
• Ensure that MEAL systems provide adequate feedback to inform program development and course corrections as necessary.
• Lead the drafting process of program reporting, ensuring that reports are of a high quality and submitted on time.
• Support with the development of proposals and concept notes and contribute to the development of SEED’s strategy for the KRI.

Communications, Coordination, and Organizational Representation (20%)

• Prepare program-related communications materials including flyers, social media posts, website content, awareness materials, etc.
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with other humanitarian partners, coordination bodies, local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Develop strategic partnerships and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs.
• Work closely with program partners and sub-grantees.

Other

• Ensure the respect of SEED’s Code of Conduct, SEED’s policy on Accountability, and ensure compliance with SEED’s policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, humanitarian principles, and contribute to protection, and Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming into SEED’s programming. 
• Undertake any other duties that may be assigned by the Director of Programs.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in social sciences, international relations, international studies, conflict studies, gender studies, human rights, or another related field.
• At least 5 years experience managing protection, policy and advocacy programs within conflict and post conflict settings. 
• Experience in shelter reforms and transitional housing setups. 
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Experience implementing donor-funded international development and/or humanitarian assistance programs.
• Experience in the Middle East, Iraq and/or Kurdistan Region is a plus.
• Strong belief in protection, gender equality and human rights.
• Good interpersonal, communication, collaboration, time management and team-building skills.
• High standard of spoken and written English, with Kurdish a plus.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.