Back Community Cohesion Manager

Background

The Iraq Durable Communities and Economic Opportunities (DCEO) is a United States Agency for International Development Office (USAID) program implemented by Chemonics International in Iraq. DCEO aims to support vulnerable communities to build community resilience against destabilizing factors by increasing their adaptive capacity and economic well-being. The project consists of two objectives. Objective 1, Adaptative capacity of vulnerable communities increased is achieved through two components. Component 1.1 seeks to mitigate drivers of conflict in targeted communities and Component 1.2 seeks to enhance community leadership of inclusive local development. Objective 2, Economic well-being of communities advanced, will rest on the assessments, analysis, foundations, and groundwork of Objective 1.

In line with Objective 1, the 100 Solutions for Stability Task Order will support Iraqi communities to address key drivers of instability through community-based solutions. The Community Coordination Manager will provide direct line management to the Community Coordination Officers will be the project’s front-line staff within communities and is responsible for assuring their work is timely, of an agreed standard, and that they are receiving the support they need from the project.

Location:

The position will be based in Baghdad with travels to the project locations.

Reporting

The Community Coordination Manager (CCM) reports to the 100 Solutions Task Order Director and works closely and collaboratively with the DCEO Conflict Mitigation Technical Adviser.

Responsibilities:

• Guide and monitor the performance of the 5 Community Coordination Officers who are field based in their work fostering, encouraging, and supporting community dialogue that identifies and solves problems
• Build and maintain relationships with the local authorities, individuals, community groups and local partners to support the DCEO objectives in all the communities where DCEO works.
• Assure that the Community Officers (CCOs) have secured local approvals for the project activities from the community leaders, and support them as they do so.
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of community dialogue, negotiation, advocacy, and other kinds of training that will support the work of the CCOs.
• Work closely with the Conflict Mitigation Advisor to identifying the main actors and power brokers in the community and assure relationships with those individuals/groups are being handled appropriately.
• Working closely with the Inclusion Adviser, assure that CCOs are making all efforts to assure 100 Solutions reaches and includes groups likely to be excluded.

• Contribute to the project activities materials including activity design, research, reporting, and work plans.

• Work closely with the DCEO grants team in the management of all grants in DCEO areas of operations.

• Contribute to MEL, Learning data and reporting activities as required.

• Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in peace building, political science, economics or other related fields in the social sciences
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in development/humanitarian programs
• Demonstrated experience managing staff with remote management experience highly desirable
• Demonstrable experience in conflict assessment, conflict mitigation strategies and peace building, and community leadership development
• Experience in community cohesion building and support highly desirable
• Knowledge of current political, economic, social, and cultural dynamics in Iraq, including a familiarity with micro-contexts of various regions on the country

Advanced English language ability and native speaker Arabic or Kurdish language. Proficiency in other languages spoken in Iraq are a plus.