Regional Representative Iraq and Lebanon (based in Erbil)

Through regional representatives, Act Church of Sweden strengthens relations with partner organisations and participation in local, regional, and global networks. Learn more at: www.svenskakyrkan.se/internationelltarbete **

We are now looking for a regional representative, with the task of working for and representing Act Church of Sweden in Iraq and Lebanon. Our ambition is for the position to be located in Erbil, Iraq. The position includes a number of specified and qualified tasks, which, to a large extent, are about strengthen and developing sustainable relations with partners as well as representing Act Church of Sweden in relation to partner organisations, churches, faith-based organisations, embassies and the various networks in which we are involved in, for example, ACT-forums.

Work Tasks

The work in Iraq and Lebanon is focused around the Iraq and the Middle East country programmes, where the programme in Iraq mainly focuses on the northern parts in collaboration with local and international partner organisations and the Middle East programme mainly focuses on supporting organisations in Lebanon with a regional focus to their work.

Among other things, your tasks will focus on:

· Develop the Iraq country programme, with a special focus on strengthening local actors, working towards a more integrated work approach between the humanitarian- and the long-term development cooperation, dialogue and peaceful co-existence, youth participation, local ownership, gender justice and gender equality together with the programme manager in Uppsala.

· Develop the Middle East country programme, which includes develop thematic areas such as SRHR and theology, develop regional cooperation in the Middle East and maintain and develop church relations.

· Continuously update and report on the religious, humanitarian, political, social and economic situation in Iraq and Lebanon.

· Represent Act Church of Sweden in contact with partner organisations, churches, ecumenical networks, ACT-forums and other development organisations as well as in relevant contexts at a regional level.

· Take an active part in contexts where dialogue with partners and other relevant actors is being held.

· Be a support to the partner organisations in understanding Act Church of Sweden’s PMER- processes, contractual compliance and terms for project support.

· Regularly visit partner organisations for dialogue and follow-up as well as identify new possible partners

· Identify the need for capacity strengthening of partner organisations and, in consultation with the programme manager and other colleagues in Uppsala, implement measures with the purpose of strengthen organisational capacity.

· Contribute to the work of policy dialogue/advocacy work regarding relevant issues for Act Church of Sweden, partner organisations and/or ACT-forums.

· Identify funding opportunities and be a source of support to colleagues in Uppsala regarding applications for funding from EU, local Sida-offices, embassies and other donors.

· Contribute to communication- and fundraising efforts in Sweden.

Regular travel between Lebanon and Iraq as well as other countries in the Middle East is included in the position. The regional representative is part of the Middle East unit at the international department at Act Church of Sweden in Uppsala and reports to the head of the unit.

Qualifications:

We are looking for someone who has many years of experience when it comes to development cooperation, preferably also experience in humanitarian work, as well as previous experience of having worked in the Middle East. You have an academic education on the master’s level or equivalent, within relevant focus areas and solid knowledge of and experience in development cooperation and humanitarian work; especially in terms of local ownership, strengthening local actors in the civil society, gender justice and gender equality. We would also like to see that you have experience with working and being in an ecumenical context.

We expect you to have experience in working with civil society actors, both with secular organisations and with churches and other religious actors. You have experience in advocacy work and fundraising, and knowledge of and experience of working with capacity building and organisational development.

You are energetic and good at taking your own initiatives, and at the same willing and eager to collaborate with others. You also have very good communication skills, in both written and oral English, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic ability. It is a merit if you speak Arabic and/or Swedish. Furthermore, we think that you have knowledge of the Church of Sweden’s international work and that you share the Church of Sweden’s values.

Availability

As soon as possible.

The position is a fixed-term, full-time employment for two years, with a possibility of extension. The position will be filled under the condition that the necessary permits are obtained for the location.

This is non-family duty station.