ERC Project Coordinator - Iraq (National only)

DanChurchAid (DCA) Iraq invites applications for an experienced (Enhanced Response Capacity) ECR Project Coordinator to join our dedicated team in the DCA Iraq programme.

The objective of the ECR Project Coordinator position is to support the DG ECHO-funded Enhanced Response Capacity project, focusing on strengthening the capacity of local and national actors. The ECR Project Coordinator will be required to work closely with the programme team to design, plan, and implement capacity-building initiatives, ensure alignment with the Localisation Agenda and international commitments such as the Charter for Change and the Grand Bargain, and conduct field visits for monitoring and reporting.

The ECR Project Coordinator reports to the Head of Programmes and will be based inErbil, with regular travel to project locations in KRI and Federal Iraq.

Purpose of the role:
Local-SPACE is a global action aiming at creating a context adaptable network-based solution to enhance local participation and humanitarian leadership. This includes developing a model for institutional capacity strengthening and capacity sharing in different contexts with the potential to be replicated and taken to scale globally. The action is a multi-country consortium led by DCA. The action will work with local and national networks and actors in DRC, South Sudan, Iraq, Myanmar, Ethiopia, and Nigeria to promote equitable participation of LNAs, including hard-to-reach and marginalized groups, in delivery of humanitarian action.

The action will span contexts characterized respectively by humanitarian, development and peace challenges with ongoing war, conflict, protracted crises and natural disaster. This breadth will ensure that the model can be further validated and retrofitted to different context scenarios, increasing its global applicability. In Iraq’s post-conflict context transitioning from crisis with limited access for local and national CBOs/NGOs to coordination, funding and response capacities, the coordinator will be responsible for the overall coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the Local SPACE project, ensuring the project's objectives are met, managing relationships with stakeholders, and facilitating capacity-building activities for local and national actors.

The local SPACE ECR Project Coordinator will be responsible for overall coordination within the network, engage with key stakeholders, and oversee implementation of activities.

Key responsibilities:

• The ECR PC will coordinate with PCs from the other countries of implementation, and HQ’s consortium manager to ensure effective collaboration and communication, monitoring project progress and provide regular updates.
• The ECR PC will support L/NA in each country to build/strengthen the network and organize activities at grassroot/CBO level and validate their feedback; ensure the grassroot level actors’ participation in workshops, as well as support the country management with donor and stakeholder liaison.
• The ECR PC will be responsible for collecting lessons learned from the in-country network and the action, which will feed into the Global Action. Additionally, the PC will facilitate cross-learning between L/NA in country.
• The ECR PC will provide support to the in-country network steering committee to increase coordination, sharing of learning, address concerns and promote joint advocacy for the capacity strengthening approach and tool package. Including developing detailed project reports, lessons learned and recommendations for future projects. This includes convening meetings, coordinating between actors, ensure governance structures are upheld and ensure information sharing between the network, the steering committee and the action.
• The ECR PC will develop together with the network a fundraising strategy to support the sustainability of the national platform and local actors, and in turn promote the replicability and scalability of the network-based solution through advocacy and dissemination of project results.
• The ECR PC will assist in facilitating capacity-building workshops and training sessions for local and national actors, focusing on institutional capacity strengthening and humanitarian leadership, in addition to supporting the development of tailored capacity-strengthening tools and materials in collaboration with other consortium partners (this may include translation of materials).
• The ECR PC will facilitate the development of a work plan based on the mapping exercises, identified network capacity gaps, and identified barriers to meaningful participation and humanitarian leadership. The ECR project coordinator will work in close tandem with the 3-4 representatives of network member organizations that receive mentoring through the action. The purpose of the work plan is to identify and prioritize the actions required to strengthen the network to work as an efficient learning infrastructure for its members (and beyond) while also supporting its members to become humanitarian leaders.
• Strengthening the existing DCA Iraq-ICVA localization platform for local capacity strengthening for enhanced humanitarian response.
• In collaboration with in-country and HQ colleagues, the ECR PC is responsible for overseeing the budget, the MEAL framework and will own the report writing process. This includes leading on MEAL processes including baseline, update of ITT, and learning.
• The ECR PC will represent the Country Office in various Working Groups and Coordination meetings – both locally and within the consortium.
• The position will work closely together with colleagues in the programme team, the MEAL team, L/NA, the consortium partners, other stakeholders, and colleagues at HQ.

Applicants must have the following qualifications and experience:

• Education: Relevant educational background (Master’s degree) in Development, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Alternatively, a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the humanitarian sector, with at least 2 years of experience in the localisation space.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; Kurdish and Arabic are mandatory.
• Working knowledge of localization global processes and/or the Grand Bargain, IASC, ICVA, and VOICE.
• Proven experience in managing projects across the entire project cycle, including overseeing budgets, implementing high-quality MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning), and working with Local/National Actors (L/NA).
• Proven experience in facilitating trainings and capacity strengthening of L/NA.
• Good understanding of Project Cycle Management, humanitarian principles, and concepts such as do-no-harm, HRBA (Human Rights-Based Approach), and Protection Mainstreaming.
• Previous experience in capacity building of partner organisations is an advantage.
• A strong team player, with excellent participatory leadership skills, the ability to build relationships, and excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability and willingness to travel within the country and internationally as needed.

What DCA offers:

• Employment Contract: Full-time employment with a 3-month trial period.
• Contract Duration: 12-month employment contract, with the possibility of extension.
• Competitive Salary and Benefits: A competitive salary and leave package.
• Insurance: Health and accident insurance in accordance with industry standards.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training and capacity-building to enhance your skills and support career growth.
• Collaborative Work Environment: Work with a dedicated team of professionals, both within the country and globally.
• Impactful Work: The opportunity to contribute to accelerating the localisation agenda with some of the strongest organisations in the field.

Start date: As soon as possible.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy.
DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us.
Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Code of Conduct, Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy.
Only online applications consisting of a CV (max 3 pages) and a cover letter (max 1 page), will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Only applications submitted in PDF and Word formats will be considered.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a written test in English at the DCA Office.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DCA’s Terms of Employment for national staff.
Closing date: 08 April 2025. Interviews are expected to be held on a rolling basis, as suitable candidates are identified. DCA reserves the right to select a candidate prior to the closing date.

To apply, click the apply button below.

Department: Iraq

Deadline: 07 April 2025

Location: Erbil, Iraq