Program Operations Officer

Location:	Irbil, Iraq, Middle East
Job Type:	Permanent
Posted:	14th Jul 2008
Closing Date:	11th Aug 2008
Posted By:	International Relief and Development
Details:
Program Operations Officer General Description of Role: The Program Operations Officer will be responsible for assisting the Program Operations Director to work with Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRD) in a designated city of Iraq to ensure the success of IRD’s Community Stabilization Program (CSP) in Iraq. CSP is a 28-month USAID-funded program designed to focus local energies toward productive economic and social opportunities and away from insurgency activities. It is a new initiative to jump start economic development and create jobs in specific areas. The primary objectives of CSP are to: • Create jobs and develop employable skills with a focus on unemployed youth; • Revitalize community infrastructure and essential services; • Support established businesses and develop new sustainable businesses; and • Help mitigate conflict in selected communities. Main Responsibilities: Assist the IRD Program Operations Director in the following tasks: 1. Work closely with the rapid-start-up CSP Team to hire local staff, set up an office and design activities which will include a conflict assessment among stakeholder groups consisting of leaders from government, youth groups, women groups, university faculty and professionals, and religious and political leaders 2. Work closely with the USAID PRT Representative on the PRT in developing city action plans which will include projects to improve, revitalize, and expand small scale municipal services (essential services and infrastructure rehabilitation); support business enterprises (including women); identification of candidates for training and technical assistance for small business, capacity building and start-up grants, business skills improvements and business association opportunities 3. Following USAID guidance, provide expert advice and direction to the PRT when appropriate 4. Liaise on a regular basis with CSP staff in Baghdad and work very closely with IRD CSP Team Leaders. 5. Develop a team relationship, open line of communications and coordination with USAID and all PRT members to ensure the success of IRD CSP 6. Assist PRT in identifying opportunities for linked program interventions across all CSP objectives and among all USG-funded programs 7. Identify rapid response employment generation programs such as public work programs; training to work/apprenticeship programs; and job skills and employment programs targeting women and at-risk youth. Closely link employment generation programs to USAID local government capacity building initiatives such as Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International’s Local Governance Program 8. Provide vocational training and job placement assistance to improve long-term employment opportunities working closely with local Department of Education 9. Develop an apprenticeship component to training programs with the objective of linking graduates to job opportunities on CSP public work projects 10. Involve young Iraqis in a wide range of non-formal education programs through, for example, the establishment and/or support to existing Youth Forums 11. Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly reports 12. Ensure compliance with IRD and USAID operational and financial policies and procedures and reporting requirements 13. Perform additional assignments as requested Required Qualifications: - Minimum of 5 (five) years experience in program management. - Masters degree, or equivalent experience, in agriculture, business administration, community development or a related field. - Experience working with development programs or a similar position in an NGO or an international organization is required. - Extremely strong writing and verbal skills - Good inter-personal skills with leadership qualities. - Experience working in a difficult, demanding team environment. - Substantial first hand knowledge of current developments in Iraq

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