Team Leader: Faith and Development in Iraq

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The British Council will be managing a three year EU-funded contract to enhance understanding of religion and the relationship of local customs to peace building. The project specifically targets young people, women and internally displaced people to understand their opinions, perceptions and ideas on the subject and to create the opportunity for their voice to be heard amongst both Iraqi and international policy and decision makers.

Through mainly a debate and dialogue model but also tailored technical assistance, the project will aim to achieve two main objectives:

1. to facilitate better understanding and appreciation of perspectives between community groups on the relationship between religion and peace building
2. to increase evidence and knowledge sharing to inform policy development and decision-making.

The main activitiescwill consist of research, conflict analysis and political economy analysis leading to the development of debate and dialogue models for different audiences; tailored capacity building to support targeted engagement with policy and decision-makers, and the development of a digital platform for sector learning.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a Team Leader with significant experience in leading, managing and reporting on major programmes in conflict management and/or social development sectors, with professional experience working in sensitive political contexts. The Team Leader will be required to:

• provide overall strategic direction to the project in close liaison with the British Council, the client, the Project Steering Committee and the Advisory Group
• oversee the recruitment and performance management of all project staff and consultants (both short and long term)
• lead and coordinate the design, preparation, implementation, quality assurance, monitoring and reporting (both technical and financial reports) of all project activities
• lead the development of: a theory of change analysis, political economy analysis/conflict analysis, participatory action research, gender analysis, monitoring and evaluation strategy and a visibility and communications strategy
• be accountable for the project finances to ensure financial planning support and delivery of project results and value-for-money
• develop and manage a risk strategy ensuring this adequately protects the interests of the British Council/its clients and partners, as well as optimising performance
• ensure the project meets all relevant internal and external compliance and client requirements (financial, HR, quality management, regulatory, security, etc)
• lead on the engagement and relationship management with key project stakeholders, both locally and internationally
• ensuring effective skills transfer and capacity building through mentoring and coaching of local counterparts by all project staff (both short and long term)
• ensure the capture and documentation of lessons/stories/case-studies as part of the broader communication, publicity and visibility effort.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential

• Iraqi citizenship, currently residing in Iraq or willing to relocate. Please note that there is no relocation budget associated with this consultancy opportunity
• Excellent written (especially technical reporting) and spoken Arabic and English
• A university degree/post graduate qualification in related subjects (politics, international and/or social development, conflict management)
• Approximately ten years’ international consultancy or related experience in leadership roles on internationally funded contracts (DFID, EC, World Bank, etc) in social development, peace-building and/or conflict management programmes, with elements of project and financial management, contracting and partnering, and team work
• Approximately five years’ experience of development cooperation, understanding the challenges at policy and implementation levels
• Knowledge of religious discourse in Iraq and the region
• Understanding of the current social and political landscape in Iraq
• Understanding of principles of state-building in fragile and post-conflict environments
• Excellent social and interpersonal skills in negotiation, leading on consultations with a variety of stakeholders, including community based institutions and civil society organisations, demonstrating inclusiveness and active listening approaches
• High level of integrity and accountability, commitment to working with peer-reviews
• Ability to work autonomously and in a solution-oriented way.

Desirable

• Professional experience in Iraq and/or Middle East North Africa region
• Internationally-recognised certification in project management.

To apply for this role, please send:

• CV tailored to the profile of this position
• two references
• a covering letter/e-mail demonstrating how you meet the criteria and competences required and what has attracted you to apply  

to Mustafa Abbood at Mustafa.Abbood@britishcouncil.org with the subject line ‘Team Leader: Faith and Development in Iraq’.