PSS and Community Development Manager

Job Title: PSS and Community Development Manager

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

Type of Position: 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

Application Deadline: 12/31/2024

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 MHPSS 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-building programs; and 3) promoting policy and social change to strengthen the rights of, and protections for, vulnerable groups and individuals through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy.

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.

Role of the PSS and Community Development Manager: The role of the PSS and Community Development Manager will manage and provide oversight of SEED’s psychosocial support services programming across all programs and locations, strategically plan and lead on setting project direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives, support on PSS resource management, ensuring PSS activities are properly tailored for various communities’ needs throughout SEED’s specialized PSS program activities. The PSS and Community Development Manager will manage SEED’s PSS Coordinators and PSS-focused Senior Program Officers and will ensure the delivery of high quality community-based PSS programming in camp and non-camp locations and residential areas. The PSS and Community Development Manager will continue to strengthen SEED’s portfolio of PSS programming across the domains of MHPSS, GBV, CP, and anti-trafficking through close coordination with technical advisors, program directors, managers, and service delivery staff across SEED’s portfolio. The PSS and Community Development Manager will report to the Service Delivery Department Manager. The PSS and Community Development Manager is based in Erbil but is required to travel to Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and SEED centers and camps around Erbil on a frequent basis where SEED delivers PSS services. 

Specific Tasks: 

Management and Technical Leadership of PSS (70%): 

• Oversee the delivery of PSS services across all locations to ensure unified structure across all PSS programming in both camp and non camp settings and residential areas.
• Manage and lead the PSS teams through close coordination with program directors, managers, protection and service delivery managers, and service delivery. coordinators conducting regular meetings and check-ins, and frequent field visits to all locations. 
• Manage PSS Coordinators, provide technical supervision to PSS teams and guidance on PSS programming and activities, and troubleshoot problems. 
• Coordinate with relevant technical advisors on CP, GBV, MHPSS, Legal, to  ensure PSS activities are in adherence with international standards and best practices.
• Set project direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives.
• Provide input into program development pertaining to SEED’s PSS work.
• Review and as needed, develop policies related to PSS.
• Review PSS outreach plans are developed on a quarterly basis for all locations. 
• Develop partnerships to enhance SEED’s PSS portfolio. 
• Ensure the recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding of PSS staff. 

Reporting, MEAL, and Communications (20%)

• Ensure quality assessments are taking place to understand community needs prior to starting programs / interventions. 
• Contribute to the development of PSS tools to ensure that M&E systems provide adequate feedback. 
• Measure impact of PSS interventions through proper feedback mechanisms and data collection. 
• Provide input on safe and ethical data collection and storage.
• Contribute to developing articles, briefs, as needed. 
• Provide input into awareness raising campaigns and advocacy strategies related to PSS related topics / thematic areas.

Coordination and Organizational Representation (10%) 

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with other humanitarian partners, coordination bodies, local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Represent SEED in cluster and working group meetings, with KRG and with donors.
• 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, consultants, contractors, and sub-grantees.
• Conduct external meetings, presentations, or trainings on PSS related topics as requested. 
• 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, clinical social work, mental health, or other related fields. 
• 5+ years of experience in overseeing psychosocial support activities, community outreach and mobilization, case management, and referral pathways.
• At least 5 years experience in managing a team of service providers including PSS teams, case managers, psychologists, etc. 
• MHPSS and Protection programming experience in international settings; Iraq experience preferred. 
• Experience in providing MHPSS and Protection services to clients with complex needs, including shelter/safe house residents and anti TIP programming.
• Experience providing program design and development, program implementation, MEAL, and reporting for service delivery  activities.
• Experience in resource management and planning. 
• Experience working with survivors of GBV and other populations experiencing a lack of social protection and social inequalities.
• Strong belief in human rights and gender equality.
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to gain trust and build relationships.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.
• Strong belief in human rights and gender equality. 
• Experience leading and designing staff wellbeing programs.
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to gain trust and build relationships. 
• Good diplomatic and persuasion skills. 
• Strong ability to work independently.
• High standard of spoken and written English required; Arabic and/or Kurdish strongly preferred. 
• Good computer skills, experience with Google Drive. 
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments. 
• Salary, benefits, and allowances dependent on skills and qualifications.

TO APPLY: 

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this LINK.         
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
• Only complete applications will be reviewed. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.