Country Director, Iraq

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a **Country Director** to join our Country Office in Iraq.

- Job Title: Country Director, Iraq
- Reports To: Regional Director, MENAEE
- Work Pattern: On-site
- Location: Erbil, Iraq
- Contract Length: Permanent
- Grade: Executive
- Language Requirements: English essential, Arabic desirable
- People Management: manager of multiple teams; 6 SMT direct reports
- Budget Responsibility: $11.7 million
- Remit: Country Office, National

**Team Purpose**

Save the Children currently operates a significant portfolio of programmes across 14 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe region. A large portion of these programmes consist of responses to large humanitarian emergencies (Yemen, Ukraine, Türkiye, OPT and Syria). We also work in countries facing other humanitarian and development challenges (Lebanon, Iraq, Kosovo and others).

Save the Children’s Iraq Country Office continues to operate in a complex environment shaped by a fragile recovery from years of conflict, ongoing humanitarian needs, and the fragile security situation in the region. Iraq is navigating a complex transition from a humanitarian context toward a humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) Nexus approach. While some progress has been made in stabilization and recovery, humanitarian needs remain acute. An estimated 1.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain in protracted displacement, children and families in camp settings, refugee returnees, and those in underserved rural and peri-urban areas continue to require urgent support across multiple sectors, including education, protection, health, WASH, and livelihoods.

In recent years, Iraq has contended with the aftermath of conflict with ISIS, mass displacement, rising poverty, a fragile economy, and increasingly complex protection risks for children. These challenges are compounded by a tightening global funding environment, which is placing increasing pressure on the Country Office abilities to reach the most vulnerable children and families across the country.

Save the Children has been active in Iraq since 1991, delivering humanitarian, recovery, and development programs in Federal Iraq (FI) and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) with sectors of intervention focusing on Education, Child Protection, Climate Resilience and Equality & Social Inclusion. SC prioritizes marginalized groups, including children with disabilities, those affected by armed conflict, Syrian refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), working across 12 governorates: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, Diyala, Kirkuk, Baghdad, Salah Al-Din, Anbar, Misan, Anbar and Ninewa. The Iraq CO has a current portfolio of USD 11.7 million with a workforce of approximately 54 staff, where a priority is put on working with partners across all areas of intervention.

**Role Purpose**

The Country Director, Iraq will lead Save the Children’s programmes in Iraq based out of Erbil, with frequent travel to Baghdad, reporting to the Middle East North Africa, and Eastern Europe Regional Director. The Iraq Country Director will provide strategic direction to the programme; is responsible for identifying needs and resources, and elaborating programme recommendations in line with Save the Children national and global priorities. The post-holder will ensure that all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child safeguarding, safety and security, code of conduct, equal opportunities and other relevant policies are in place. The Country Director is accountable for appropriate fiscal management of the Iraq Country Office and ensuring strong management of risks, including key legal and regulatory risks.

The Iraq Country Director is to lead the development and delivery of the country strategy to bring about lasting positive change to the lives of children and their families who do not enjoy full access to their rights. Iraq’s country strategy focuses on climate resilience, stronger child protection systems, emergency preparedness, equitable education access, and combating exploitation. The post holder will play a strategic role in the effective management of Save the Children programmes across Iraq and will be the primary Save the Children representative with local authorities, donor representatives, peer agencies and communities.

As a member of the Middle East, North Africa, & Eastern Europe Regional Leadership Team, they will have also shared accountability for Save the Children’s international development and emergency programming in the region. To achieve our ambitious goals and breakthroughs for children, the leadership team will, in collaboration with Save the Children Members and in conjunction with the other regional organisations, work to drive strategy, compliance and quality across the region.

**Principal Accountabilities**

Strategic Leadership

- Provide vision and direction for the Iraq country programme
- Effectivel