Please note: Recruitment will be done on a rolling basis and FYF reserves the right to recruit before the deadline

Start date: immediately

Who We Are

The Free Yezidi Foundation is one of the leading Yezidi organizations providing humanitarian and human rights support to Yezidi civilians. The Free Yezidi Foundation is a humanitarian, apolitical, and non-profit organization formally registered in the Netherlands, the United States, and Iraq.

The Free Yezidi Foundation is designed to assist Yezidis in need. The Foundation was established shortly after terrorists attempted to eradicate the Yezidi people in August 2014. The Free Yezidi Foundation seeks to implement projects to protect and support the most vulnerable members of the Yezidi community.

The Free Yezidi Foundation is virtually headquartered in the Netherlands and the United States, with its operational presence in the Duhok province of Iraq. The Foundation is particularly engaged with services for Yezidi survivors and for Yezidi women, children, and those who seek justice and accountability. FYF also plays an important advocacy role in promoting better and broader humanitarian and human rights support to Yezidis.

The Foundation currently employs approximately 100 staff members, both national and international, and is growing to meet new needs of and opportunities for Yezidi civilians in the coming years.

Background

Yezidis have suffered from a very different sort of trauma than Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs and refugees in general. It is true that all have experienced devastating losses. But the Yezidi community is recovering from a deliberate attempt by ISIS to exterminate their people specifically because of their religion. This has been recognized as genocide already by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the US State Department and Congress, the European Parliament, the UK Parliament, and importantly, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. The decision to target a small minority group for extermination based on identity has created a sense of horror not unlike that found in populations in Rwanda, former Yugoslavia, post-WWII Germany, and so on. FYF is extremely sensitive to the particular nature of the suffering of Yezidi survivors, and all plans and courses have been tailored in this regard. The horrific crisis currently facing Yezidis is one in which an external group perpetrated unspeakable crimes against a religious minority, which is now in need of care and support.

Job Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall strategic planning, human resources management, program design and implementation, program support operations, finance, administration, supervision, and required reporting for the country program, in coordination with the country director. (S)he will also be one of the primary representatives of the Foundation at coordination meetings with other organisations and government authorities. We are looking for an individual with a passion for making a difference in the lives of people recovering from severe persecution.

The Operations Manager will have accountability for the Free Yezidi Foundation’s humanitarian and development programming, in conjunction with the Country Director. (S)he will be based in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with possible work visits to Erbil and other sites in Iraq. (S)he will take guidance from the Country Director, the Operations Director, and the Programs Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform a number of functions successfully.

Human Resources

  • Oversee the recruitment and selection of qualified program field staff, recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of staff in consultation with supervisors

  • Maintain open lines of communications with all staff

  • Maintain teamwork and ensures a productive working environment for staff members

Program Management

  • Oversee the administration and implementation of currently funded programs

  • Oversee the financial management of in-country activity, including currently funded programs, in line with our financial management policy

  • Oversee program reporting, ensuring compliance with our policies and procedures, donor regulations, and local laws

  • Ensures that financial reports to donors include necessary supporting documentation, and provide all financial documents in an orderly fashion to the Foundation’s HQ financial team

  • Report regularly to the country director and executive director with updates of project developments and expenditures

  • Ensure the use of appropriate management methodologies to plan, organize, and control resources to achieve goals

  • Empower staff members to meet organizational goals and work as a highly functioning and cooperative team

  • Arrange appropriate hand-over procedures to staff covering while away on leave to ensure minimum disruption to programming

  • Manage field assets, including equipment and materials.

Representation, Communications, and Visibility

Program Development

  • Assist leadership in expanding country portfolio

  • Assist leadership in identifying new sources of donor funding and maintain adequate donor funding levels to sustain identified program and support activities

  • Assist leadership in drafting and editing proposals for funding

  • Remain aware of donor funding intentions

Other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Qualifications and Competencies

A bachelor’s degree in international development or related field is a distinct advantage. Master’s degree preferred.

Three to five years of project management experience in development programs, including managing donor-funded programs, planning, finance, staff development, and training skills.

A genuine commitment to living and working at the community level, improving the lives of members of a persecuted religious minority, and ability to devote considerable energy and dedication to a humanitarian aid program.

A good understanding of overall project cycle management. This should include financial management skills such as budget management, banking activities, proposal and budget development, and monitoring tools. A good understanding of working with donor guidelines and following up on program compliance.

Proven capabilities in leadership and integrity are required, with the ability to manage a diverse team, communicate effectively with individuals, and motivate a team in difficult situations.

Experience in managing basic procurement and logistical procedures and policies.

Skills and knowledge in program sustainability and capacity building and project monitoring and evaluation (both quantitative and qualitative methods).

Strong writing, presentation, program development, and oral communication skills.

Proven diplomatic and public relations skills, and a demonstrated ability to work with cooperating partners in implementing programs, with the ability to publicly represent an organization.

The ability to address staff welfare issues maturely and to structure and direct work plans of team members, managing conflict and maximizing human resources.

The ability to handle an emotionally demanding post and work with a traumatized population, overcome potential loneliness, and the ability to live, work, and solve problems independently and effectively in a challenging location. Experience in conflict or post-conflict zone is a distinct advantage. Flexibility and adaptability are essential.

Fluency in English and the ability to write documents, reports, and present information in English is required.

Daily Routine

The Operations and Finance Director will be overseen and supported by the Country Director, the Operations Director, and the Programs Director. (S)he will be expected to work from 8am to 4pm Sunday to Thursday (the Iraqi work week), and will in many cases have to work on completing assignments after hours.

Length of Contract

The contract lasts for 12 months, and is renewable. Preference will be given to those interested in a long-term commitment to FYF field operations. A three-month probationary period is served as the beginning of the contract.

Salary

Salary is commensurate with experience. The Foundation will cover visa and residency card expenses, and daily transportation to and from work. FYF will also cover accommodation, one round trip flight home per year, and basic insurance.

Calendar

As this is a challenging working environment and a difficult position, the country director is granted 21 days of paid leave per year. FYF also observes some Yezidi, Iraqi, and international holidays, which are also granted as paid vacation days.

Upon Joining FYF

FYF has non-disclosure and liability waiver clauses in the contract for all employees upon joining the team. All paperwork will be managed between the time the job offer is sent and the incumbent begins work.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants who are currently in Iraq, including nationals and expats, are encouraged to apply.

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This vacancy is archived.

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