Country Manager Federal Iraq

The Country Manager Iraq manages the overall implementation of the Country Programme (country specific projects and delegated country components under regional programmes) and team/office in Mosul-Iraq.

The Country Manager carries end responsibility for the targets set forth in the national annual plans. (S)he represents SPARK legally towards the Federal Iraq authorities as the SPARK national legal representative.

The Country Manager will report to the Regional Programme Director.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

The responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Is responsible for the timely implementation, coordination and quality oversight of all SPARK projects and programmes in Iraq (excluding Kurdistan Region of Iraq), as per agreement with donors and partner organizations.
• Represents SPARK towards Iraqi Government authorities (local and central), local partners and other relevant national institutions.
• Serve as the legal representative for SPARK vis-a-vis federal Government authorities in Bagdad and Mosul and ensure that all administrative requirements are fulfilled as per local laws and regulations
• Is responsible for the team management and serve as people manager for all SPARK staff in Mosul office.
• Ensure Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting of all programmes executed for the Iraq projects as agreed with donors.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with relevant stakeholders and cooperation partners working in Iraq, especially education partners, local universities and governmental institution.
• Ensure smooth progress of organizational and logistical matters linked to the projects;
• Ensure budget adherence and project documentation related to the Country Programme according to internal procedures and donor requirements.
• Provide input on Iraq for Regional and global level reporting
• Supervise and assist national staff in developing personal work plans and achieving individual targets. Promote on the job learning.
• Ensure a Security Plan for the Office is in place.
• Promote SPARK values.
• Work in compliance with SPARK policies and procedures.
• Other tasks when required.

Requirements and Skills

• Advanced academic degree in relevant discipline for international development, preferably related to (higher) education or entrepreneurship and business development issues.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience with large multi-donor programme implementation and team management
• Proven experience with jobs creation and private sector cooperation
• Good understanding of political environment and operational space in Iraq

· Experience in managing teams with members of diverse backgrounds.

• Experience with higher education
• Extensive network in Mosul and Bagdad with authorities, stakeholders, universities and the private sector
• Native or bilingual proficiency in Arabic
• Full professional proficiency in English

SPARK Offers

• A challenging and exciting position in an international environment;
• Remuneration based on experience and full time contract (40h/per week)
• A dynamic working environment and great team

About SPARK

SPARK offers access to higher (vocational) education and supports entrepreneurship

development in fragile and conflict affected states so that young, ambitious people can

lead their societies into stability and prosperity. Over the last 24 years, SPARK has built a

strong record of accomplishment in over 25 states in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. In

doing so, SPARK contributes to laying a foundation to rebuild conflict-affected regions, once

the conflict is over. For example, SPARK is the largest university- and higher vocational

scholarship provider for Syrian refugees and one of the largest providers of coaching, training

and access to finance for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMES) in the MENA region.

By collaborating with local organisations, SPARK builds local capacity to enable sustainability

of its programmes. SPARK is a dynamic and growing, international not-for-profit development

organisation with 100+ staff members, in more than 12 offices.

We believe that sustainable, economic growth is essential for the alleviation of poverty. By

offering private-sector development services to young people in conflict-affected regions,

we believe that the potential for further conflict is significantly reduced.

In terms of business development in fragile states, we are a full-service organisation. We offer

a range of options that enable local partner organisations to provide existing SME’s and new

entrepreneurs with all the tools they need to flourish. In the past decade, SPARK has set up

around ten Business Support Centres in the EU and Africa. Business plan competitions are also

often organised, and winners of these competitions receive business skills trainings. Another of

the tools we offer is value chain development and access to finance. Finally, we work closely

with various governments in fragile states to improve conditions for entrepreneurs and job

creators